New Member Itching

[Wakingup]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post. I self diagnosed in May and have been eating gluten-free since then.

Generally feeling 100 percent better. I don't know if what I've developed is DH and that is why I am posting today. Almost every day a new "bite" or "bites" appear on my calves or ankles. The first appeared on my ankle in July. It was huge, red, swollen, terribly itchy and left a scar. I call them bites because that is what they look like but I know they are not mosquito bites. I did not have any of this before I went gluten-free. Went gluten-free in May 2011 and this started in July 2011.

I want to thank anyone in advance for any clue you may have as to why this is happening, Wakingup

[Wakingup]

I am using Aveda blue malva shampoo and just read online that it is not safe for celiacs!! Maybe that is what is causing my itching? My scalp is fine, the welts are on the backs of my calves. Any ideas are welcomed.

[eatmeat4good]

My son got those bite looking welts on his lower legs...they looked like mosquito bites...multitudes of them even when it wasn't mosquito season. Dr. never made anything of them except told us to use cortisone cream. However, they went away and have never come back since he went gluten free. It could be a variation of DH...that is what I suspected too. If it is...then you may have to limit both gluten and iodine to get relief and healing. It's possible to get a biopsy if you want to pursue that route. However, I just wanted to say that the appearance sounds a lot like what my son had that went away being gluten free. If it isn't DH, it can still be a gluten related rash.

[Sarah Alli]

For the sake of exploring every possible solution- you're absolutely sure you're not actually being bitten by something, right? Especially on your lower legs, I'd be concerned about ticks and mites from walking through tall grass, but spiders also can leave nasty welts and if you find that they're appearing overnight it might not be a bad idea to wash all your bedding and clothing thoroughly, just in case.

[Wakingup]

For the sake of exploring every possible solution- you're absolutely sure you're not actually being bitten by something, right? Especially on your lower legs, I'd be concerned about ticks and mites from walking through tall grass, but spiders also can leave nasty welts and if you find that they're appearing overnight it might not be a bad idea to wash all your bedding and clothing thoroughly, just in case.

Sarah, Thanks for your response.....I suppose there is a chance that I am getting bitten. And thanks for your suggestion, I'll try it. WU

[Wakingup]

My son got those bite looking welts on his lower legs...they looked like mosquito bites...multitudes of them even when it wasn't mosquito season. Dr. never made anything of them except told us to use cortisone cream. However, they went away and have never come back since he went gluten free. It could be a variation of DH...that is what I suspected too. If it is...then you may have to limit both gluten and iodine to get relief and healing. It's possible to get a biopsy if you want to pursue that route. However, I just wanted to say that the appearance sounds a lot like what my son had that went away being gluten free. If it isn't DH, it can still be a gluten related rash.

Thanks EM4 for your response. The puzzling thing about these "bites" is that I never had them while I ate gluten. They appeared right after I went gluten-free.

I don't quite understand what iodine has to do with it. I don't want to have to give up eating seafood because I 'm not a big meat eater. GU

[pricklypear1971]

I can't over emphasize the iodine thing. Try it for a few weeks. You'd be surprised-go through vitamins, all processed foods, etc. Ditch the sea salt, dairy, seafood, iodized salt....

It works.

If you try it for a week and no progress it isn't the iodine. Low iodine isn't forever, just till they heal.

[Wakingup]

I can't over emphasize the iodine thing. Try it for a few weeks. You'd be surprised-go through vitamins, all processed foods, etc. Ditch the sea salt, dairy, seafood, iodized salt....

It works.

If you try it for a week and no progress it isn't the iodine. Low iodine isn't forever, just till they heal.

Hi PP, Thanks for your reply. Ok, you mean to check the vitamins for iodine?

or gluten? I've already checked everything for gluten, incl. vitamins. Wasn't aware that there may be iodine in my vitamins? I'll definitely give this a try. thanks, WU

[Wakingup]

I can't over emphasize the iodine thing. Try it for a few weeks. You'd be surprised-go through vitamins, all processed foods, etc.

Ditch the sea salt, dairy, seafood, iodized salt....

It works.

If you try it for a week and no progress it isn't the iodine. Low iodine isn't forever, just till they heal.

I have read that sea salt does not contain iodine, or just trace amounts.

Does anyone know for sure?

[pricklypear1971]

Some sea salt more than others. Just buy a plain box of non-iodized salt and use it for a while.

Yes, iodine in vitamins. Also dairy and egg yolks are high in iodine. Eat grains, beans in moderation since they MAY be depending on the soil.

I'm on day 6. Ugh.

[pricklypear1971]

And avoid salty processed foods like potato chips cause you don't know if it was iodized or not.

[Wakingup]

Some sea salt more than others. Just buy a plain box of non-iodized salt and use it for a while.

Yes, iodine in vitamins. Also dairy and egg yolks are high in iodine. Eat grains, beans in moderation since they MAY be depending on the soil.

I'm on day 6. Ugh.

I usually eat one hard boiled egg and cereal for breakfast. If I can't do eggs, does anyone have a suggestion for protein at breakfast? The obvious bacon or sausage has too much fat and I don't like to eat processed lunch meat.

[eatmeat4good]

As for your sores appearing after going gluten free, there are many posts in the archives of the DH section where the same thing happened to others. Why is a mystery, but may have something to do with increased sensitivity to gluten -once it has been thoroughly eliminated we tend to have stronger reactions to it and the auto-immune response is a cascade not just a flare. My son's entire lower legs were covered with those "bites" and that is just what Dr.'s thought they were....flea bites. It seemed to make sense...they looked like it...but we had no pet. No treatment but being gluten free helped. My son did not have to eliminate iodine to heal his sores...they went away just weeks after eliminating gluten. However, I had to learn the hard way about eggs, dairy, asparagus, canned goods, and salty chips. I still get a reaction if I eat too much salt. Iodine is really bad for DH, but you may not be as sensitive as others. Even a little too much causes a flare for me...even after a year. Of course I'm never sure if it is the iodine or the gluten traces that are causing me to react, but I try to be very careful.

There is a thread on here What's for Breakfast if you want to see what others eat. You can still eat egg whites...the iodine is in the yolk.

[Wakingup]

As for your sores appearing after going gluten free, there are many posts in the archives of the DH section where the same thing happened to others. Why is a mystery, but may have something to do with increased sensitivity to gluten -once it has been thoroughly eliminated we tend to have stronger reactions to it and the auto-immune response is a cascade not just a flare. My son's entire lower legs were covered with those "bites" and that is just what Dr.'s thought they were....flea bites. It seemed to make sense...they looked like it...but we had no pet. No treatment but being gluten free helped. My son did not have to eliminate iodine to heal his sores...they went away just weeks after eliminating gluten. However, I had to learn the hard way about eggs, dairy, asparagus, canned goods, and salty chips. I still get a reaction if I eat too much salt. Iodine is really bad for DH, but you may not be as sensitive as others. Even a little too much causes a flare for me...even after a year. Of course I'm never sure if it is the iodine or the gluten traces that are causing me to react, but I try to be very careful.

There is a thread on here What's for Breakfast if you want to see what others eat. You can still eat egg whites...the iodine is in the yolk.

Thanks very much for your response....very helpful as I am new to this and still learning. WU

[GFphilly]

I was so happy to see this thread. I am going through a very similar situation right now. A few days ago I developed incredibly itchy bumps on both ankles that look similar to bug bites. But I really dont think thats what they are - my ankles simultaneously got extremely itchy and i saw the bumps spring up before my eyes. Some are clustered and they are not healing like normal bites. I have celiac and have been strictly gluten-free for over 2 years. And now this out of the blue. I went to the doc this morning and was told they are probably bug bites, even after I brought up the possibility of DH. My doctor said he didn't think that was right because I was already gluten-free and because DH usually develops on the torso. Now I'm not really sure what to do. I will try cutting down on salt, but have you found DH to resolve on it's own?

[pricklypear1971]

Once mine did. Just to pop up 4 months later.

Reducing iodine is extremely effective.