Intolerances Or Allergies?

[designerstubble]

Hello again

I'm back for more advice...

Corn... Seem to have developed some kind of intolerance. Ate some cornflakes... Big no no... But seem to tolerate some organic snack rice and corn cakes? Is it normal to tolerate smaller amounts?

Also. If I eat corn, am I damaging myself like I would with wheat, barley etc? Is it the same as being glutened? ie villi damage?

I seem to come up in a slightly swollen eye to eggs now too. Rocket leaves make my mouth itch. Various other responses to food, none of which are gastro intestinal, but am I allergic to all of these foods now??? Or could they be intolerances?? I am gutted to think I am allergic.

Also! I seem to be allergic to my one and only favourite body lotion cocoa butter I come in red patches that are hot and burn slightly. Why is this all happening now??? I don't understand. Is it because I've been so pure on whole foods mainly? What's going on with these reactions? Am petrified of colouring my hair now incase I have a full on reaction? If I can't even tolerate my cocoa butter that I have been using for 20 years then hair dye is much stronger. I'm quite depressed, my grey is about 3 inches either side of my parting (not a good look with thinning hair).

Heeeeeelllllllllp. Someone give me hope.

Any advice on any of these things would be greatly appreciated, I feel like I have become allergic to the modern world suddenly.

I have been gluten free for 4 months, dairy free for 3. I need some cheese, oh I wish I could have some cheese! Though who knows maybe I can't eat it anymore?

Depressed.

[Takala]

Were the corn flakes "Gluten Free" certified corn flakes, or regular ones ? Regular corn flakes are NOT gluten free because they have barley malt flavoring. From my experience, a LOT of processed corn products here in the United States are cross contaminated enough, either the corn or the other ingredients, that a sensitive person will react. I can't do one brand of corn flour products at all, because this company mills oats in the same facility, and I developed a gluten free oat intolerance. Other brands have been tested and been shown to sometimes contain significant cross contamination. One brand of corn flour that is not labeled gluten free, has been tested by a restaurant here in my state, and shown that it actually is less than 5 ppm, so they go ahead and use it. I've eaten there more than once, and have not reacted. Sometimes the corn product, such as a corn chip, is cooked with "xxxx" and they will name 3 or more different kinds of oils, who knows if these oils are actually truly gluten free, or not, because of the way the seeds were harvested and stored in with other grain crops. The only truly "safe" corn is a fresh ear of it that you husk yourself, otherwise, there's always the slight chance of cross contamination unless the corn, from planting to harvest to processing, was grown to be gluten free. This is why popcorn works for a lot of people, because it doesn't get milled to a flour anywhere. Corn, aka "maize," itself is okay for gluten free. Some imported corn flours that are specifically grown to be gluten free are pricey $$ but might work. The blue corn ones seem to be easier for the vendors to keep clean.

The corn/rice snack cakes you ate, were they "gluten free?"

Once you start up a gluten reaction, then you are going to be more sensitive to other things, until you get rid of the accidental gluten.

Lotions: the problem with lotions is that manufacturers are constantly changing their ingredients and putting really weird **** into them. If this was pure 100% cocoa butter I'd doubt you'd be reacting. Last week I went to the store and started reading labels on lotions with sunscreen and it was ridiculous. Most of them contained soy oils or even cottonseed oils or cottonseed sugars or starches, and cottonseed is just loaded with pesticide because it is grown under different USDA regulations in the south as a fabric, not as a foodstuff, even though the oils are used in human foods and cosmetics. You will probably have to change what you use for lotion, try pure coconut oil in a pinch.

[GottaSki]

Hello Kimmy!

My guess is all your problem foods are intolerances -- many of which you will get back once time heals your gut from the damage that Celiac Disease caused.

I completely understand feeling angry and depressed -- I too was both many times as I lost more and more foods. After all -- when I was finally diagnosed the doctor said remove all gluten and take several supplements -- I did that for many months before I realized removing gluten is not the only thing necessary to help the extremely damaged digestive system heal.

Hindsight is always very clear so realize I say it knowing how difficult it can be and am not dismissing any of the pain, frustration and grieving that goes along with losing healthful foods.

A very strict elimination diet can be instrumental in finding your problem foods. If you are ready.

For now continue to eat non-processed whole foods.

Also, if you have not had allergy testing, it would be a good idea -- most likely you are reacting to foods because of the damage in your gut, but it is wise to have allergy testing - both blood and skin scratch tests to rule out any true allergies.

Hang in there -- it does get better -- until then -- feel free to come here to stomp your feet and scream -- "it is not fair" -- because it is not fair and often makes no sense how sensitive we are to good food -- we all get it!

[designerstubble]

Takala! My cornflakes were from a strictly gluten free source... Well, so they say! As were the rice/corn snacks. So you think that it's more likely that I reacted from cross contamination as opposed to just having an intolerance? Perhaps then I will try some popcorn and see how that is. Thank you!!

Hi Lisa!

Just got my Internet installed at new house, I've been lonely without you all!!

I am hoping you are right and that these are all intolerances... I have a new doctor now so hoping he has a brain and refers me to an allergist. I go on Thursday for my first appointment with him.

Silly question....I'd like to bake my own bread. I assume that I shouldn't eat it as it would be

processed?? Even though its processed by me. Am I correct?!!!

And judging by your story, am I right then to assume any trouble my GI gives me (intolerances etc) indicates further damage (ie by the corn etc) so that may be why I'm not healing so quick?

If eating small amounts of corn doesn't seem to bother me should I eliminate it anyway??

Also.... Cheeeeeeeese! When could I introduce some cheese back in?! (Only been dairy free 3 months!)

Ugh, thanks Lisa. I needed a vent. It's exhausting this food thing. I thought being gluten free and vegetarian was going to be a nightmare. What I'd give to have it that simple! Muuuchas gracias amiga!

[designerstubble]

Ps . Takala... I'd love to use coconut oil, but can't have any nuts in the house due to my sons allergy to them. And you're right though, the ingredients list does have lots of rubbish in it... I just don't understand why I have become so sensitive to everything all of a sudden??? Why is my body reacting to anything and everything? Things I've been using with no problem up to 2 weeks ago?!

It's crazy. Just don't know what to do anymore!