Casein Symptoms

[luciddream928]

I've recently eliminated casein from my diet because I always seem to get a rash when I eat gluten free "veggie cheese." I couldn't figure out what was bothering me because I've already eliminated dairy as well.

Over the past week or so, I've gotten these symptoms on and off:

A burning feeling on the inside of my arm (no rash, just feels like needles pricking my skin at the slightest touch)

A rash on my hands, similar to when I get "glutened" - itchy and red, small bumps

A tiny sore on the inside of my mouth, healed within two days

A migraine that lasted 8+ hours (at work and had no aspirin until I got home)

I'm wondering about the vitamins I've started re-taking, though the labels say they are gluten free. I am taking Jarro Dophilus (sp?) which has milk in trace amounts.

It could be the jarro dophilus, or the dark chocolate I ate (thought it was gluten-free and C free but maybe trace amounts?) or the aspirin I took (not sure if it is gluten free - Kroger migraine forumula).

Anyone know if the casein symptoms are similar to gluten? I'm just trying to figure out which one got to me, and go from there.

(And I thought it was safe to reintroduce wheat or gluten.... crazy, no?)

Thanks,

Rachel

[Mother of Jibril]

Hi Rachel,

Dark chocolate often does have trace amounts of casein because it's processed in the same facilities as milk chocolate. My son (turning a year old this month) is very sensitive to casein... it gives him eczema on his face, diarrhea and/or constipation, and if he keeps getting contaminated... more dramatic symptoms like vomiting. Before we knew what the problem was he was even bleeding from his intestines.

What you described sounds like a true allergy and not just an intolerance. How quickly do you get the rash/itching/burning feeling and migraines? Have you ever had allergy testing?

[luciddream928]

What you described sounds like a true allergy and not just an intolerance. How quickly do you get the rash/itching/burning feeling and migraines? Have you ever had allergy testing?

[luciddream928]

Yes I had allergy testing, but the Dr. told me that the scratch test is not as accurate as she would hope. I'm not sure what the percentage is. I tested "allergic" to wheat and soy. There is no gluten test. She told me to keep soy in my diet because I've already cut so many other things out.

Oddly enough, I didn't test allergic to milk at all - but I definitely react to it. Makes me wonder why I spent the money for the appointment, it only confused me.

[mushroom]

Yes I had allergy testing, but the Dr. told me that the scratch test is not as accurate as she would hope. I'm not sure what the percentage is. I tested "allergic" to wheat and soy. There is no gluten test. She told me to keep soy in my diet because I've already cut so many other things out.

Oddly enough, I didn't test allergic to milk at all - but I definitely react to it. Makes me wonder why I spent the money for the appointment, it only confused me.

I note in your original post that you said you reacted to "veggie cheese". I believe most vegetarian cheese is made with soy. There are a goodly number of us on here who are intolerant of soy as well. I know it is a major problem for me and I avoid it like the plague, even the soya lecithin in chocolate. I am not sure about your doctor's advice to continue eating soy