Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Itch

njferrero

By njferrero
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Recommended Posts

njferrero Newbie
njferrero
Posted

Two-yr-old granddaughter has been gluten free since June 2004, but now has developed huge itchy skin which she scratches bloody. She cries and squirms and is miserable. We have tried Curel, Benadryl cream, Eucerin and Aquafor. Help!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cdford Contributor
cdford
Posted

The spots can be miserable. Be patient with her scratching. It is the most intense "itch" you can imagine...like thousands of tiny needles attacking you from underneath your skin.

I have found some things that help us in our family:

If the spots are getting red around them, she probably has a secondary infection. Let the doctor determine that and if so they will probably give her a prescription for something like Clindagel to rub on them.

My preferred choice for itch relief is to take a bubble bath in a Shaklee product called Basic H. It is a very mild household cleaner that can also be used on a baby's bottom to help control diaper rash. I put 1/2 to 1 teaspoon in a tub of warm water and soak. The bubbles don't seem to make my eyes burn, but you might have to warn a two year old to be a little more careful. My spots are even less red when I get out.

After bathing, I have found that keeping the spots moist and away from air helps with the itching. I use a Watkins product called Petrocarb. It is basically a petroleum jelly with camphor and such in it to help with the pain of the itch. I try to keep it on the spots so that they are not exposed to air or allowed to dry up and get itchier as they heal.

If she has been gluten-free for a while and the spots had pretty much gone away, you may want to search for the new gluten source she has come into contact with. Has her soap, shampoo, or clothes detergent changed recently? Has she eaten out at a new place or has a different brand of an item been purchased?

  • 1 month later...
snoopylian Apprentice
snoopylian
Posted

I used all of those for my son as well as 8 different prescriptions for eczema and none of them helped. I believe he has DH. There is also a DH online website that may be useful to you: Open Original Shared Link

I know that there are prescription meds for DH but I don't know any of their names. I try and control my sons through diet (no dairy, eggs, gluten), he takes borage oil, digestive enzymes, acidophilus, he only wears 100% cotton (even his bed sheets are 100% cotton). I've read that dust, dust mites, pet dander can contribute to the itchiness. So, we use one of those pleated allergen air filters at home. Currently we use dove sensitive skin at bath time but I am in the process of trying to learn how to make soap rich in hempseed oil and shea butter. Also, against some doctor's opinions, after bath before bed, I slather him down with Vaseline. All of the above have helped my son. Perhaps they may help your grandchild.

Also, I recently read, but have not verified, that people w/DH should be careful of the amount of iodine in their diet. I'm not sure about that, like I said I haven't had a chance to investigate it further.

Good luck. If I think of anything else I will let you know.

  • 3 months later...
lockett Newbie
lockett
Posted

Dear Snoopy, I learned recently much to my horror that most cotton fabrics sold recently (2 or 3 years) contain genetically engineered cotton to which the body reacts as if it were a synthetic. Only alternative is to buy organic clothes and sheets. I do buy in thrift stores cotton clothes that tend to be old but I can tell right away by my reaction if they contain GE cotton and your son may not be able to tell so try one set of organic and see if it makes a difference--Lockett

I used all of those for my son as well as 8 different prescriptions for eczema and none of them helped.  I believe he has DH.  There is also a DH online website that may be useful to you: Open Original Shared Link 

I know that there are prescription meds for DH but I don't know any of their names.  I try and control my sons through diet (no dairy, eggs, gluten), he takes borage oil, digestive enzymes, acidophilus, he only wears 100% cotton (even his bed sheets are 100% cotton).  I've read that dust, dust mites, pet dander can contribute to the itchiness.  So, we use one of those pleated allergen air filters at home.  Currently we use dove sensitive skin at bath time but I am in the process of trying to learn how to make soap rich in hempseed oil and shea butter.  Also, against some doctor's opinions, after bath before bed, I slather him down with Vaseline.  All of the above have helped my son.  Perhaps they may help your grandchild. 

Also, I recently read, but have not verified, that people w/DH should be careful of the amount of iodine in their diet.  I'm not sure about that, like I said I haven't had a chance to investigate it further.

Good luck.  If I think of anything else I will let you know.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

cdford Contributor
cdford
Posted

I did not realized about the iodine until recently. I have stopped it completely and it does seem to make a difference. Also realize that once glutened, the DH spots can come and go for months, long after any celiac disease symptoms have left.

watkinson Apprentice
watkinson
Posted

Hi njferrero,

Have you check the source of all those lotions and meds you are puting on the skin? Could they possibly contain gluten? <_< One thing we do for itch is take milk baths, (Unless there is a sensitivity to dairy) We buy powdered milk and put 5 or 6 cups into a warm bath (it's cheaper that way!) You can also try witch hazel, you apply it with a cotton ball or soft towel, it is very sooting to the skin. Ask your doctor first but we have also soaked with epsom salts in the tub. Extremely soothing! I'm not sure with a 2 year old though. Especially if the rash may be infected.

Double check everything that comes in contact with the baby to make positive sure everything is gluten-free

Also... find out from your doctor what you can do to keep the skin moist from the inside out. Meaning...I take Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil). It helps with every system of the body including the skin. :) I have no idea if children can take it though. do you live in a dry environment? What about a humidifier?

I hope all is well soon, Wendy

cdford Contributor
cdford
Posted

Those epsom salt baths are a life saver not only with the itch but also with muscle aches and spasms.

Our dermatologist and allergist had us put a tsp of clorox in our baths to cut the bacteria in the sores and help them heal. It also helped keep the redness down.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lbsteenwyk Explorer
lbsteenwyk
Posted

My daughter has used a prescription topical med called hydrocortisone valerate which seemed to improve her itching and helped her heal. This was prescribed for eczema, so I'm not sure it would be appropriate for your child.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,192
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MariaV
    Newest Member
    MariaV
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Ginger38
      Food Allergies

      By Ginger38 · Posted

      So I recently had allergy testing for IGE antibodies in response to foods. My test results came back positive to corn, white potatoes, egg whites. Tomatoes, almonds and peanuts to name a few.  I have had obvious reactions to a few of these - particularly tomatoes and corn- both GI issues. I don’t really understand all this allergy versus celiac stuff. If the food allergies are mild do I have to avoid these foods entirely? I don’t know what I will eat if I can’t  have corn based gluten free products 
    • Kris2093u4
      Bread choice for a newbie

      By Kris2093u4 · Posted

      Geography makes a difference.  I'm in the West and Trader Joe's gluten-free bread tastes great and is a better price than most gluten-free breads sold elsewhere in my area.  
    • JForman
      7yo struggling!

      By JForman · Posted

      We have four children (7-14 yo), and our 7 year old was diagnosed with NCGS (though all Celiac labs were positive, her scope at 4 years old was negative so docs in the US won't call it celiac). We have started her on a Gluten Free diet after 3 years of major digestive issues and ruling out just about everything under the sun. Our home and kitchen and myself are all gluten-free. But I have not asked my husband/her dad or her other siblings to go completely gluten-free with us. They are at home, but not out of the home. This has led to situations when we are eating out where she has to consistently see others eating things she can't have and she has begun to say "Well, I can't have <fill in the blank>...stupid gluten."  How have you supported your gluten-free kiddos in the mental health space of this journey, especially young ones like her. I know it's hard for me as an adult sometimes to miss out, so I can't imagine being 7 and dealing with it! Any tips or ideas to help with this? 
    • Jane878
      My mo,ther married a bread making when I was 4

      By Jane878 · Posted

      By the time I was 5 I had my first auto0immune disorder, Migraine headaches, with auras to blind me, and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound. I was 5 years old, and my stepfather would have pizza night, milling his own flour, making thick cheesy gluten pizza, that I would eat and the next day, I would have serious migraines, and my mother & stepfather did nothing about my medical problems. When I was 17 in my first year at college, I was diagnosed with my 2nd known auto-immune disorder, Meniere's disease. I was a elite athlete, a swimmer, and soccer player. And once again my parents didn't think anything of understanding why I had a disorder only older people get. Now after my mother passed from Alzheimer's disease she also suffered with living with gluten. She had a rash for 30 years that nobody could diagnose. She was itchy for 45 years total. My brother had a encapsulated virus explodes in his spleen and when this happened his entire intestines were covered with adhesions, scar tissue and he almost lost his life. He has 5 daughters, and when I finally was diagnosed after being pregnant and my body went into a cytokine storm, I lost my chance to have children, I ended up having Hashimoto's disease, Degenerative Disc disease, and my body started to shut down during my first trimester. I am 6ft tall and got down to 119lbs. My husband and I went to a special immunologist in Terrace, California. They took 17 vials of blood as we flew there for a day and returned home that evening. In 3 weeks, we had the answer, I have Celiac disease. Once this was known, only my father and husband made efforts to change their way of feeding me. At the family cabin, my stepfather & mother were more worried that I would ruin Thanksgiving Dinner. It wasn't until one of my cousins was diagnosed with Celiac disease. They finally looked into getting Gluten Free flour and taking measures to limit "gluten" in meals. He did nothing but ask for me to pay for my own food and wi-fi when I came to the cabin to stay after our house burned down. When he informed my mother, they proceeding to get into a physical fight and she ended up with a black eye. The is just more trauma for me. Sam had no interest in telling the truth about what he wanted. He lied to my mother that he had asked my husband if I could pay for "food" when he asked Geoffrey if I had money to pay for my wi-fi. My mother hates when he spends so much time on the computer so he lied and said I could pay for my own food. I will remind you I weighed 119lbs at this time. (At 6ft) that is a very sick looking person. Neither parent was worried about my weight, they just fought about how cheap my stepfather was. As my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014. He had her sign over the will to a trust and added his children. He had no testimonial capacity at the time, so she signed without proper papers. Making this Trust null and void. When I gave my brother my childhood home, my mother stated I would be getting an equal part of inheritance to the house on Race. It currently worth 2.0 million $. I got nothing, and my stepfather has since disowned me b/c of my claim and he knows that my mother would never have left it uneven between my biological brother and myself. She sat me and my husband down, as we lived at the Race Street house and treated and took care of it as our own. My brother took over b/c he was going through a horrific divorce and needed a home so he could get a better custody deal with his soon to be ex-wife who was a Assist DA for Denver. She used the girls against him, and he & I were the primary caregivers. We, Judd and I spent the most time with them pre the divorce. Once Judd moved into the house, he threw all of my mother, grandmother and my family heirlooms out to the Goodwill. Nobody told my mother about this as she was going through cancer treatment and had Alzheimer's disease in her mother and her sister. My stepfather and biological brother took advantage of this matter, as I called a "family council" that my brother just never could make it to at the last moment. All of the furnishing, kitchen ware, everything was in the house my brother just moved into. He had had 2 weddings, I chose to elope b/c my stepfather ruined my brother's first wedding by talking about his relationship with my brother in front of my dad and his entire family, insulting him and having my grandfather leave the ceremony. It was a disaster. My stepfather just plays dumb and blames my father for the slight. I was the only child not to have a wedding. So, my mother and stepfather never had to pay for a thing. My mother had had an agreement with my father he'd pay for college and all medical issues with their kids, myself and Judd. So truly my mother never had to pay for anything big for me in her entire life. I am looking for anyone that has had a similar story, where they grew up in a household that had a baker that regularly milled flour and ate gluten. What happened to you? DId you suffer from different auto-immune diseases b/c of living with a baker using "gluten" Please let me know. I have been looking into legal ways to get my stepfather to give me what my mother had promised, and he erased. Thank you for listening to my story. Jane Donnelly  
    • trents
      Blood results

      By trents · Posted

      Possibly gluten withdrawal. Lot's of info on the internet about it. Somewhat controversial but apparently gluten plugs into the same neuro sensors as opiates do and some people get a similar type withdrawal as they do when quitting opiates. Another issue is that gluten-free facsimile flours are not fortified with vitamins and minerals as is wheat flour (in the U.S. at least) so when the switch is made to gluten-free facsimile foods, especially if a lot of processed gluten-free foods are being used as substitutes, vitamin and mineral deficiencies can result. There is also the possibility that she has picked up a virus or some but that is totally unrelated to going gluten-free.
×
×
  • Create New...