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Rash Testing

aswolf

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aswolf Newbie
aswolf
Posted

I'm new here so please forgive me if this question is redundant. I have recently been diagnosed with IBS but I'm wondering if I might have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. My GI ran two blood tests. I don't know the specifics. I just know the numbers were 3 and 6 with a 20 being positive. When I see him in two weeks I plan to ask him for details and numbers. I am probably just crazy and a hypochondriac, but who knows. I am wondering if a biopsy can be taken of my rashes to diagnose celiac disease? I have 3-4 patches of intensely itchy and scaly rashes on my scalp. I've had 2 of these for going on 10 years now. The last two popped up in the last two weeks. And they started out as painful bumps with a tip that sloughed off, leaving behind this scaly rash. I also have a rash on my upper arm but it isn't too itchy. It just looks like a lot of little raised blood vessels. I guess I could ask for a referral to a dermatologist.

I have a history of depression, anxiety and stomach problems. I've been lactose intolerant for the same 10 years. Also have migraines and unexplainable fatigue. My skin is extremely sensitive - I cannot wear makeup. I have found that certain shampoos and conditioners make the rashes worse. Neutregena T gel makes is even more worse. I think I'll check their ingredients for gluten.

Please help! I think I'm crazy and so does my doctor and family. My sister and mom have the lactose intolerance too. This makes me wonder, since I know celiac disease is inherited.

Thanks so much!!!! :(

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burdee Enthusiast
burdee
Posted

My 'stomach problems' were also diagnosed as 'lactose intolerance' and 'IBS' but following the IBS diet just exacerbated my pains and using 'lactaid supplements' didn't resolve all my symptoms (even after I finally tried a gluten free diet when I suspected celiac). :blink: If you suspect you are celiac, don't settle for anything less that blood tests and/or biopsies for celiac. If your GI has already tested for celiac, but you're waiting to see him to get results, don't wait. Call and keep calling until they tell you your results. If you are celiac, the longer you keep eating gluten the more you damage your intestines. :o If your tests come back negative, don't let your doctor dismiss your symptoms as 'IBS' or lactose intolerance. I didn't return to the doctor who gave me those diagnoses. Instead I tested through Enterolab and learned I have autoimmune reactions to BOTH gluten AND caseine (the milk protein for which 'lactaid' supplements do zip) as well as the celiac gene which my doctor never considered. You're not crazy, so don't let doctors, family and friends (??) discount your symptoms with that label. <_<

BURDEE

smg9755 Newbie
smg9755
Posted

I started getting the same rashes 6 years ago. I was eating tuna on wheat and a stack of wheat thins when I realized I started getting red blistering itchy bumbs on one of my legs. I've been eating tuna on wheat for years with no problems. Eventually the rashes went to both legs and after a while the hair fell out in the same place on both legs and the rashes kept getting bigger. I started to develop the same rash around my neck just this past year.. Its great, I have to go to work everyday like this. It never goes away. Around january 3rd, I was told I have an auto-immune problem by yet another doctor.. you have lupus. tested for lupus, no lupus, bone marrow cancer and anything else they could come up with. All came back negative. Finally, there was no cancer, only allergies to soy, vasculitis in both of of my legs and no explanation for the rashes. They claim the rashes are vaculities, I say they are stupid. The rash appears after consuming corn , wheat or soy. What I think is funny, all along I said it was something in the food doing this to me. Little by little, I got the same reaction eating cereals, fig newtons, pretzels, crackers, corn on the cob, soups, gravy, spaghetti and so on.

Its true, by trial and error, I was able to weed out each food and find the rashes stop or start depending on what I ate. I just ate 4 fig newtons at my desk, sorry for being human, I wanted a snack.. and guess what.. both my legs are compelety inflamed again. For a few days I suggest. Eat only grilled chicken or steak, potatoes or rice and vegtables and fruits. I bet the rashes go away. These are the only things I can eat now to control it. i figured this out myself. Not any doctor.

Do a test for me.. after you do the above for a few days, pop a few fig newtons or whats that popcorn, smartcorn and check out what happens. Did the rash come back?

I will leave you with this thought. Hasn't are food supply been introduced to gentically altered corn, wheat and so on. Seems to me, all of a sudden one day, 5 or 6 years ago, little by little, more and more foods starting causing allergic reations to my body. Seems a little odd to me.. Could it be my immune system doesn't understand gentectically altered proteins. Isn't that why we have immune systems. The only thing I can get out of a doctor is.. you have an auto-immune system problem. Wake up everybody. Something else is going on here. I am sure of it and I am tired of people telling me I am crazy. I am right and I know it.

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      By Judy M · Posted

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    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
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      Gluten free beer ?

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      Patiently Waiting to See Results

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      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
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