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Any Celiacs With Face Swelling?


kieranrachel

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kieranrachel Newbie

Hi,

I was just wondering if theres anyone out there whose face and/or body parts swell up after eating gluten?.

My face has been swelling dramatically the last 3 or so months, particually after I eat gluten heavy foods (pasta, pizza etc)

Ive had the celiac blood test which came back negative, but after seeing another doctor she said my reaction is more likely an allergy to gluten then an intolerance. I cant see an allergist for another month even as an emergency case, I've been eating mainly gluten free (trying) but i find now even the smallest amount of gluten swells my face and especially my lips.

Does anyone else have this problem? and is it normal that I've only just developed this at 19?

Thanks

  • 2 weeks later...

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CindyRhea Newbie

I have the rash - but negative for DH. I've had the biopsy, which is negative for Celiace. I have been off gluten for 3 weeks. My face and lips used to swell when after eating gluten -- and my lips would also itch. Lips still tingle, but much better after 3 weeks of gluten-free.

IrishHeart Veteran

Hi,

I was just wondering if theres anyone out there whose face and/or body parts swell up after eating gluten?.

My face has been swelling dramatically the last 3 or so months, particually after I eat gluten heavy foods (pasta, pizza etc)

Ive had the celiac blood test which came back negative, but after seeing another doctor she said my reaction is more likely an allergy to gluten then an intolerance. I cant see an allergist for another month even as an emergency case, I've been eating mainly gluten free (trying) but i find now even the smallest amount of gluten swells my face and especially my lips.

Does anyone else have this problem? and is it normal that I've only just developed this at 19?

Thanks

Your doctor is confused. There is no such thing as a "gluten allergy", but you can have an allergy to foods that contain gluten : wheat, rye, barley. And an allergist will not diagnose a gluten intolerance. People use this phrase "gluten allergy", but it is really incorrect.

There are many differences between food allergies and intolerances and celiac. Please read up on this distinction so you know what you may be dealing with and what tests to ask for.

This article explains the differences between wheat allergies, celiac and non-celiac gluten intolerance.

Open Original Shared Link

To answer your questions, Celiac Disease has no specific age onset or limit. Babies and 70- year- olds are diagnosed with celiac all the time. I was finally diagnosed at age 54, but I was ill with it for most of my life--YEARS and YEARS--and was told it was various things, like IBS, GERD, Gynecological issues, arthritis, etc. etc....It depends on the triggering event that provokes the autoimmune response.

And yes, my face and eyes were swollen when I was very ill before my diagnosis. But I do not have a wheat allergy! It was a histamine response and an underactive thyroid prompted by the celiac, which causes wide spread inflammation throughout the body. I do not have this problem any longer, gluten free :)

It is not the same as an anaphalactic response to a food that provokes reactions like hives, difficulty breathing, sneezing, wheezing etc.

And to further complicate matters, unfortunately, a negative test result for gluten antibodies can be falsely negative.

Whether you have a gluten intolerance, celiac disease or a wheat allergy, the treatment is the same---a strict gluten-free diet.

Best wishes!

kdonov2 Contributor

I am gluten intolerant and used to wake up with swollen lips and eyelids. They would remain puffy for the 1st half hour upon waking. Now that I don't eat gluten anymore, I no longer have those symptoms.

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