(autoimmune) Asthma, Allergies And Skin Issues (eczema)?

[EmmyLouWho?]

I was just wondering if anyone else has issues with asthma and allergies in particular? I have always had asthma. For a little while in my teens, it seemed to get a

[ravenwoodglass]

Before I was diagnosed I was allergy tested and showed up allegic to 98 of 99 substances I was tested for. I had to keep my inhalor close at hand and took Singulair on a daily basis. After going gluten free I lost almost all of my 'environmental' allergies. I haven't had to use my rescue inhalor or Singulair since I was diagnosed. My allergist said my immune system was in hyperdrive because of the celiac. Once the gluten issues were under control my ashtma and allergies were also. I had lung function tests done again after 4 years gluten-free. I really kind of PO'd the tech when everything came back perfectly normal. I think some hate that when they ask if you smoke and you say yea, for 40 years. I then got a lecture about how my lungs were most likely a mess. Halfway through the test he started yelling at me and got real nasty. Not saying smoking doesn't hurt you but it was used as the reason for my asthma and chronic bronchititis for a really long time when it seems it was more related to the gluten reaction.

[nasalady]

I was just wondering if anyone else has issues with asthma and allergies in particular? I have always had asthma. For a little while in my teens, it seemed to get a “little” bit better. However, it has been back with a vengeance for a couple of years now. I’m wondering if there is a direct link between these issues and Celiac? I haven’t been gluten-free long enough to see an improvement yet since I was only diagnosed a week and a half ago.

I did read an article about autoimmune asthma, which can follow along with other autoimmune disorders (all asthma has some form of autoimmune reaction though). I’m wondering if this is my issue as it describes my asthma to a T. I don’t respond to the corticosteroid treatments and my asthma gets worse in the nights/mornings. I also have a LOT of rheumatic symptoms. I suspect some type of arthritis but I’m definitely no doctor. I do get severe joint pains, typically in my arms.

I’m definitely the triple combination….allergies, asthma and eczema (though my eczema has subsided in the last few years – still have itchy skin but absolutely nothing to show for it).

Anyway, I’d be interested to see how many other Celiacs deal with this combo too.

Count me in!

Check out the list of other autoimmune illnesses in my signature....includes asthma and RA. My eczema has improved lately since I've been gluten free.

JoAnn

[wowzer]

My eczema went away shortly after going gluten free. I will say my asthma has improved and I don't get my annual bout of pneumonia and bronchitis since going gluten free. I am a smoker too. I do still take Singulair, but rarely have to use an inhaler anymore. They expire before I use them now. I just wish that it had been discovered sooner for me. I complained of so many symtoms for years which all turned out to be gluten related.

[Indigo - Brighton -UK]

I have just found this site as I was searching for sites discussing links between celiac and asthma/rhinitus.

I have had symptoms of celiac and DH for about 9 years and have found out mainly through my own work and despite a negative celiac biopsy (my dietician said she thought it a false negative as only ate gluten 2 weeks before, they took biopsy from only one site too.) that I am pretty sure I am celiac.

My sister is also celiac diagnosed 2 years ago, she had problems with undiagnosed cough and pneumonia which have improved now she is gluten-free. We both have some degree of osteoporosis.

I am hoping all things will now start to improve as well as my facial swellings, stomach and putting on weight although I accidently glutened myself in November and I gather the DH takes a long while to settle down.

In my search I found a piece of research done in Malta which showed that the celiac population was also more likely to have asthma and rhinitus than the normal population. Also half of those followed improved once they became gluten free.

[Indigo - Brighton -UK]

sorry I have posted twice may take me awhile to get the hang of this.

Meant to say have asthma and rhinitus but also many other sensitivites and intolerences.

[Ruth]

My son's severe asthma and excema went away completely after goning gluten-free. No more inhalers, singulair, albuterol, steroids.... it took about 3 months to see full improvement.

It has been a blessing.

[eatmeat4good]

My son's severe asthma and excema went away completely after goning gluten-free. No more inhalers, singulair, albuterol, steroids.... it took about 3 months to see full improvement.

It has been a blessing.

I am so grateful to those who posted this about asthma. My son has been miserable with prednisone, inhalers, missing school, pulmonologists and advair...all with little improvement in his functioning. At one point he was starting to look and walk like a zombie and that really scared me. I didn't know what was wrong but surely knew something was. When I would try to ecplain to the Dr.s they told me not to baby him and send him to school. He was exhausted and as sick as a child can be. So I homeschooled him and he had less colds and flu but still the clumsy foggy behavior. Now I know it was gluten ataxia...but I knew nothing of that then. We have gone gluten free since my 7 year misdiagnosis with fibromyalgia has completely cleared all of my muscle and joint pain. No more none. My son went gluten free 3 weeks ago and then ate a whole pizza with his friends. Now has been home one week with sever allergic rhinitis, on prednisone, breathing treatments and antibiotics. I wonder if it was the reaction to the pizza. Though it could be seasonal allergies too...but it isn't convincing him he has Celiac. I asked the Dr. about testing him but we have no insurance and they said to see a specialist for that. So here I am trying to figure out this thing called autoimmune asthma...and it seems so perfectly clear to me that is is Celiac. I haven't dug in the research but I am certainly going there next. Thank you for giving your thoughts. Even though posted long ago...your insights are so invaluable to me in my own quest for health. So thanks

[Looking for answers]

My family has a strong history of asthma, in fact my grandmother passed away from it and my father had some close calls. Removing dairy has been key for my dad and sister, mine cleared up on gluten-free and dairy free diet.

[Charlie's Girl]

This thread popped up at the perfect time for me.

(dang I love this forum)

I was (finally) diagnosed with severe asthma this past September. Interestingly enough- it is better since going gluten free and I am so encouraged to read that it may go away completely in a few months. I have 2 inhalers- Dulera 2X/day and Proventil for use before exercise or exertion. We are having hot weather and everything seems to be "exerting." I don't like the Proventil. It makes me jittery and emotional.

I am looking forward to the asthma going away. (yeah!)

[Roda]

My youngest has had chronic rhinosinusitis since an infant. Has been allergy tested three times and shows nothing up on his allergy testing. Our new allergist is leaning toward food intolerence and we are retesting him for celiac. THe poor kid has been on so many allergy meds, breathing treatments, nasal steriods, and antibiotics in his life. I'm so over it and so is he especially with no answers with the allergy testing. He even had to have his adnoids out at 19 months for the recurrent infections, they were huge. Oldest has documented allergies to all kinds of weeds, cockroaches and dustmites. He has been doing allergy shots since the age of six and he is going on ten now. They diagnosed him with asthma too, but he has NO problems with it on a day to day basis. He is on no medications either. It takes EXTREME exercise to induce even minor symptoms in him. My youngest (almost 6) is growing well but I think my oldest is lagging slightly in the growth area. If I eliminate gluten for the youngest I am going to eliminate it for the oldest one too. I think if the allergist recommends an elimination diet/gluten free despite what the tests say, I know I will be able to get hubby on board then.

[eatmeat4good]

My youngest has had chronic rhinosinusitis since an infant. Has been allergy tested three times and shows nothing up on his allergy testing. Our new allergist is leaning toward food intolerence and we are retesting him for celiac. THe poor kid has been on so many allergy meds, breathing treatments, nasal steriods, and antibiotics in his life. I'm so over it and so is he especially with no answers with the allergy testing. He even had to have his adnoids out at 19 months for the recurrent infections, they were huge. Oldest has documented allergies to all kinds of weeds, cockroaches and dustmites. He has been doing allergy shots since the age of six and he is going on ten now. They diagnosed him with asthma too, but he has NO problems with it on a day to day basis. He is on no medications either. It takes EXTREME exercise to induce even minor symptoms in him. My youngest (almost 6) is growing well but I think my oldest is lagging slightly in the growth area. If I eliminate gluten for the youngest I am going to eliminate it for the oldest one too. I think if the allergist recommends an elimination diet/gluten free despite what the tests say, I know I will be able to get hubby on board then.

I had the same medical nightmare with my son who has severe asthma. Having now taken him once again to the Dr. to ask about Celiac...they tell me asthma is NOT a symptom of Celiac. BUT I am now completely certain that it is. I have no idea why asthma isn't a very very common symptom. Sever vitamin D deficiency causes severe asthma. Anyone can google that fact. I never found it in all my searches for asthma. It wasn't until this hunch that my son has asthma but no drop in oxygen levels. We have supplemented Vitamin D and he is gluten free now and there has not been a single episode of asthma at all....in several weeks. He is thrilled. So am I. I wish I had found this when he was two instead of 16. A lot of childhood lost to wheezing, predisone, antibiotics etc. Poor kid. I hope all moms with kids who have asthma come across this link to gluten. It changed my son's life. Energy is coming from nowhere...and he is happy again. Dr. still thinks I am crazy...but who cares?

[Roda]

I had the same medical nightmare with my son who has severe asthma. Having now taken him once again to the Dr. to ask about Celiac...they tell me asthma is NOT a symptom of Celiac. BUT I am now completely certain that it is. I have no idea why asthma isn't a very very common symptom. Sever vitamin D deficiency causes severe asthma. Anyone can google that fact. I never found it in all my searches for asthma. It wasn't until this hunch that my son has asthma but no drop in oxygen levels. We have supplemented Vitamin D and he is gluten free now and there has not been a single episode of asthma at all....in several weeks. He is thrilled. So am I. I wish I had found this when he was two instead of 16. A lot of childhood lost to wheezing, predisone, antibiotics etc. Poor kid. I hope all moms with kids who have asthma come across this link to gluten. It changed my son's life. Energy is coming from nowhere...and he is happy again. Dr. still thinks I am crazy...but who cares?

Glad to hear your son is doing better. My almost 6 year old had the IgA TTG come back positive. It was negative 2 years ago. I put him gluten free and it will be two weeks on Friday. At first he was more irritable than usual and he had a major hunger spike for the first week. I think the hunger thing is slowing a bit, but I am trying to make sure he is eating plenty of protein to keep him satisfied longer. I really havn't otherwise seen any drastic changes in him as of yet, but it is really early still. He has not seen a GI yet and I am opting out of the biopsy. It's not like I don't know what to do so he and I are gluten free budies. I am going to take my oldest for restesting next week probably.

[luvs2eat]

Three of us four kids had asthma from birth. Only the oldest, my sister, didn't outgrow it. She's also had terrible eczema for her entire life. My older brother had occasional eczema on his hands, which he found went away completely when he just cut back on eating gluten. I'm the only one who's been formally diagnosed w/ celiac disease (me and all 3 of my kids, that is). My sister, who lives in France, had to INSIST on a blood test... her doctor kept telling her it was so rare and there was no reason to test her! It came out negative... but even she notices the improvement in not only her eczema... but in her gut. She doesn't have classic intestinal issues, but still notices the difference when she cuts out obvious gluten. Living in France, where they have the best breads and cheeses on earth, she's not inclined to give those things up... she'd much rather keep her inhalers and do insurance-covered yearly trips to "take the waters" that help w/ her eczema. I can't say that I blame her... ever been to France and had their breads and cheeses???

[txplowgirl]

My asthma eased up when I went gluten free but it wasn't until I went dairy and soy free also that it went completely away. since I was a kid I would get athsmatic bronchitis at least twice a year. Since I kicked everything out I have not had one attack yet. Knock on wood.

[GFMochi]

Once I started to have symptoms of gluten, I got what I thought at the time, was "sport-induced asthma", I played college basketball and was a starter, able to run for hours, but suddenly, i could not run more than a few sprints before everyone in the gym could see me struggling for air and hear my gasp for breath. It was so severe, the trainer use to make me sit out because everyone feared I would pass out trying to run. I went to the doctor and each time, I got more and more puffers, it came that I use to take 4 different medications, and there was still no difference.

After, going gluten free for a few months, I was able to run, not quite like normal, I still feel the way I use to before, but I am able to run a lot longer. I now, have been gluten free for a year and a half, and after 8 months or so, I was able to ditch my puffers, I do not use them at all.

Give it some time, your body has to heal.

I also, use to have severe allergies, I had contact dermatitis, and, with ditching the gluten, my allergic reactions have decreased.

I think, for many, there is a connection, and in time, your allergies can decrease.