Freaking Out, Can't Figure Out What's Causing Itchies In My Son

[amberskids]

My 2 yr old had DH and has been causally Dx with celiac --- I'm trying to figure out what he could be having issues with today - I gave him a sunbutter (he's allergic to all nuts) and jam spread on Udi's gluten-free buns today and now he's itching like crazy -- otherwise today he's had Gorilla crunchies with Silk brand Coconut milk (I usually use Trader Joes, but ran out and needed something), raisins, blueberries (frozen) and corn chips, an apple and a banana, -- has anyone had problems with any of the processed foods that I mentioned -- I'm pulling my hair out here.

[Di2011]

Raisins and dried fruit makes my itching very bad. Felt like my skin was burning too. It is relatively temporary compared to when I have too much iodine or glutened.

Wish you luck.. poor little fella.

[pricklypear1971]

If he has DH iodine can aggrivate it.

Faux milks usually have carageenan and/or sea salt in them. Carageenan is enough to make me itch if I've flared recently.

Also, some dh people are salicylate sensitive and coconut is a very strong salicylate.

Google "thyca" for a list of iodone rich foods to avoid...and read the DH forum here.

Ice packs help me stop itching. See if he will use them. Also, moisturize like crazy. I use Vanicream.

[amberskids]

If he has DH iodine can aggrivate it.

Faux milks usually have carageenan and/or sea salt in them. Carageenan is enough to make me itch if I've flared recently.

Also, some dh people are salicylate sensitive and coconut is a very strong salicylate.

Google "thyca" for a list of iodone rich foods to avoid...and read the DH forum here.

Ice packs help me stop itching. See if he will use them. Also, moisturize like crazy. I use Vanicream.

Oh I really hope that's not the case =( any way to tell other than trial and error?

[pricklypear1971]

Oh I really hope that's not the case =( any way to tell other than trial and error?

Not that I know of. Some people will experiment by eating a lot of iodine, or putting iodine on their skin to see what happens.

I fall on the side of withdrawing iodine (my biggies are egg yolks, milk products, seafood, carageenan). Try pulling him off the high iodine stuff for a week in addition to gluten and see how it goes. It takes me a week to calm down the antibodies if iodine stirs them up. Two weeks is better. Others here take longer.

Once the antibodies calm down, I can eat eggs, milk, seafood but in moderation. I just can't eat ALL of them in one day....

[RollingAlong]

Are you saying he's had all these foods before except that the coconut milk is a different brand? Which foods or combinations of foods are new?

If it is just change in brand, it seems unlikely that the sals are an issue, but if you need more info on sals, check out the salicylate sensitivity forum:

Open Original Shared Link

Here's a link to a thread on sals and toddlers:

Open Original Shared Link

[dilettantesteph]

Yes, I have had problems with those processed foods. I am extremely sensitive and have problems with most processed foods.

I would first look at what you changed. Change it back and see if that helps.

If not, and you really want him to get better, take out all the processed foods and see if that works.

Then add back one food at a time, one per week or so. That way you will be able to tell what bothers him.

At his age everything goes in the mouth so also consider other sources.

I hope he gets better soon. That itching is terrible for a little kid.

[GFreeMO]

I agree with the above poster! I have to avoid all processed gluten free foods. Maybe he is reacting to one of the ingredients in not necessarily gluten related. Soy or one of the gums or one of the flours in it.

I hope he is better soon...poor guy!

[Di2011]

Xanthan gum (e415) is a killer for me too. It is in a lot of gluten-free processed foods. Guar gum (e412) is a usual replacement but I haven't been brave enough to test. I avoid any processed products with the 400's at the moment until my DH is under control enough to go public and control my sanity!

[salexander421]

If he has DH iodine can aggrivate it.

Faux milks usually have carageenan and/or sea salt in them. Carageenan is enough to make me itch if I've flared recently.

Also, some dh people are salicylate sensitive and coconut is a very strong salicylate.

Google "thyca" for a list of iodone rich foods to avoid...and read the DH forum here.

Ice packs help me stop itching. See if he will use them. Also, moisturize like crazy. I use Vanicream.

I didn't know this about the carageenan and coconut,thank you for this info! This could very well be why my daughter is getting itchy and her rash is flaring up, she drinks a lot of almond milk that has carageenan in it. Still trying to figure out a way to get her to drink homemade almond milk, she doesn't seem to like the taste.

And, I was thinking coconut maybe makes me itchy but wasn't having any other gluten symptoms so I was confused...maybe it is the coconut after all! Although I do hope not, I love the stuff!

[salexander421]

My 2 yr old had DH and has been causally Dx with celiac --- I'm trying to figure out what he could be having issues with today - I gave him a sunbutter (he's allergic to all nuts) and jam spread on Udi's gluten-free buns today and now he's itching like crazy -- otherwise today he's had Gorilla crunchies with Silk brand Coconut milk (I usually use Trader Joes, but ran out and needed something), raisins, blueberries (frozen) and corn chips, an apple and a banana, -- has anyone had problems with any of the processed foods that I mentioned -- I'm pulling my hair out here.

Are any of these new besides the coconut milk? We had issues with Silk brand coconut milk and almond milk. Also had problems with envirokids cereal. Has he eaten the Udi's before? We had problems with Udi's breads. Hope you get it figured out! I know it's frustrating, try keeping a food journal until you get it figured out.

[dilettantesteph]

Still trying to figure out a way to get her to drink homemade almond milk, she doesn't seem to like the taste.

Did you try adding a sweetener and/or vanilla?

[eatmeat4good]

I have DH and it took me a year to figure out that too many salicylates are really bad for it. Salicylates are cumulative...if I have too many I react...small amounts of the same foods and maybe no reaction. So it is really really difficult to figure out the culprit sometimes. You will have to learn the amount of salicylates he can tolerate if this is part of the problem.

My DH sores react to:

Iodine-particularly in seafood, milk, eggs, salt (yes corn chips have bothered my DH-I don't know if they use iodized salt or what...but I can't eat them.

Carageenan- and all gums really. Xanthan and guar gum

Salicylates- Depends on the amount you eat. High sals and my sores hurt.

Benzoates - If one is sensitive to salicylates then likely one is sensitive to benzoates which are in many foods particularly juices and drinks of all sorts.

Food Coloring- Tartrazine, Annatto, yellow number 5 and 6. These things are terrible for my DH. Any yellow food like cheese usually has annatto in it.

One day I decided to treat myself with a diet coke (benzoates) and M&M's (Food coloring)

Later that day my DH was going crazy.

And if there is any trace exposure to gluten there will be reaction in my DH for weeks to come.

Iodine keeps the antibodies active in the skin...it is miserable. Poor baby.

I don't want to overwhelm you with this information about sensitivities....but it took me a year to figure out all of my reactions and this might help.

It is maddening to get DH under control. I hope your baby gets better fast.

One last point. Almonds are also really high in salicylates not just coconut. I eat both now but not constantly and certainly not when I'm having a reaction.

[salexander421]

Did you try adding a sweetener and/or vanilla?

Yup, still won't drink it. I think it tasted great! I haven't given up yet though I've never tried cashew milk but wondering if she might take to it a little better, maybe a milder taste? Might try it once I can get my hands on some raw cashews.

[elfie]

Yup, still won't drink it. I think it tasted great! I haven't given up yet though I've never tried cashew milk but wondering if she might take to it a little better, maybe a milder taste? Might try it once I can get my hands on some raw cashews.

Cashews are pretty high fat compared to almonds. Perhaps a mix of both to make the milk to start? Sometimes it takes a while to adapt to the higher fat and can cause loose stools at too high a quantity. The causative quantity would be individualized though. Just figured I'd mention it in case the experience comes up.

Good luck to you!

[salexander421]

Cashews are pretty high fat compared to almonds. Perhaps a mix of both to make the milk to start? Sometimes it takes a while to adapt to the higher fat and can cause loose stools at too high a quantity. The causative quantity would be individualized though. Just figured I'd mention it in case the experience comes up.

Good luck to you!

Thanks for the tips! Might try the mix as cashews are also a lot more expensive My daughter has always struggled more with constipation so I wouldn't be too concerned with it causing loose stools but would definitely watch out for this. Thanks!