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Can An Intolerance Develop Into An Allergy?


angelynnb

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angelynnb Newbie

Here's my situation. Since my 3rd child was born a year ago, I had all these crazy symptoms I thought were post-pardum related: depression, anxiety, inflamation, gas, hair falling out, lost 50 lbs in 5 months... Anyways, did an elimination diet and found that all these things went away for the 6 weeks I was off gluten. Went to the Dr and did the blood test, and it came back negative for Celiac, but he said I am definetely intolerant to gluten just from my own personal testimony. So I had testing done through a naturopath, and sure enough I am intolerant to gluten. I asked if she could tell if I have celiac disease, and she said it didn't matter. The same diagnosis would be eating gluten free for life. That made sense at the time, but since then....so many questions!

I have noticed that I am becoming more sensitive each time I get glutened. Plus, I have skin rashes on my face and neck that appear when I use products w/ gluten. Example: Redken hair color, and shampoo

Does this mean I am allergic? I read the difference is in the reaction time, and my reaction is almost right away. Rash and very itchy.

Could this be the dermititis rash thing I keep reading about? And if so, does this only occur w/ celiac disease?


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Alwayssomething Contributor

I had celiac years before I every had DH (rash associated with celiac), of course I didn't know I had celiac because all my tests were coming back negative and I keep getting the IBS diagnosis. When I first broke out in the rash, I was still eating gluten, and was tested multiple times for wheat allergies, through blood tests as well as pick tests, and both were done for all major allergens as well as anything I wanted to add, like pepper and garlic, and cashews. All my tests came back negative, and I was devastated! I was breaking out when I used gluten products yet I wasn't allergic, then both my allergist and my endocronoligist said, "you aren't allergic, but it doesn't mean that your body is tolerating the gluten, you have celiace disease based on your vitamin levels and your symptoms", If I use any product that contains gluten I react and the dermotologist said I would also be hyper sensative to other things for a couple years.

So from my experience and the opinions of my Dermatologist, Allergist and my Endocronologist, the rash is not allergy related. I did give up Iodine as well as I have Hoshimoto Thryroid disease and Iodine was also causing a rash. Now I have a heck of a time trying to figure out if I got gluten or iodine if I have a reaction.

There are a lot of over the counter gluten free hair care products as well as lotions and soaps. Makeup was harder for me, maybe someone else has had better luck with over the counter make up.

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    • Scott Adams
      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
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