Sensitivity To Touch?

[Skidelle]

First of all, I have to say that stumbling upon this and how helpful and encouraging everyone is nearly brought my to tears!

I have been gluten-free on and off for years (granted, I am only 19). Like many others, I have not once had a positive experience with a doctor and my family still struggles with any gluten-free conversation sometimes. But, for the last 5 months or so since I have been away at college, I have done away with gluten completely, and have felt better than I ever imagined was possible.

Especially during the holiday season, CC has seems nearly impossible to avoid. My most recent obstacle has been these lovely hives that appear mostly on my chest and forearms. If I am touched after another has touched a gluten product, or if I touch it myself, it is inevitable that the red bumps make an appearance. Also, my stomach seems to be in a never ending "gluten-state".

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced hive-like symptoms (besides the diagnosed celiac rash) or if anyone had any great tips on CC. Luckily, my family had been beyond supportive after I have experienced (and they have witnessed) these more severe symptoms, but sometimes the CC thing throws them for a loop.

Thanks in advance!

[Kit Kellison]

I have DH (dermatitis herpetiformis) but only get it after ingesting trace amounts of gluten from CC or airborne flour in the grocery store. I never get a rash from someone who has gluten on their fingers or from touching handrails, etc. It's generally considered impossible to have a skin reaction due to celiac disease without ingesting it.

I do, however, have a friend who is highly allergic, who even gets a rash if, say, beer is splashed on her at her restaurant job. She gets very typical gluten symptoms if she ingests it, although she has tested negative for celiac disease.

A wheat allergy can cause leaky gut and can lead to anaphylaxis which, of course, can kill you. I'd take the skin reactions you have from direct contact with gluten very seriously, and avoid it like the plague.

Not that wheat allergy and celiac disease are mutually exclusive, you could have both. The question might be, do you react badly to non-wheat gluten? Like rye or barley?