Gluten sensitivity showing up in my 40s

Lilaczest

I've been on MFP for about a year and a half and only just recently cut out a lot of my wheat products to help encourage myself to eat more fruits and veggies and reach my nutritional goals more easily. Then I had a bad couple weeks, ate bagels and bread incessantly and suddenly started having what I can only self diagnose as a gluten rash. I've done quite a bit of reading about it and it really does seem to fit my symptoms (little red blisters close together showing up on my hips, not in a normally moist spot on the body like the armpits, itching, leaving a dry red spot, only going away after over a week). What is surprising to me is that I haven't had any rash like this before and I'm over 40. The only other indication that I might actually be sensitive to wheat is that when I have eaten wheat, it's like I can't get enough of it. My whole life when I've eaten bread, I often eat it piece after piece, like I'm satisfying a craving that I don't have with any other kind of food, like I'm literally addicted to it. I just thought it was emotional eating, but I'm learning that this might actually be a sign of wheat sensitivity. And it's strange that the rash showed up only after I had gone off gluten for awhile and then reintroduced it. Has anyone else had this experience? Someone else mentioned the book Wheat Belly on another forum here, and I think I need to read that.

Aikigoth

Partner of someone with diagnosed celiacs here.

Honestly the "addicted" thing sounds like total BS to me to sell more books. Let's be honest here- GF is a fad right now, which is tough because the USDA is just recognizing it as a legitimate disease. You know what people also knock back? Other simple carbs: sugar in all forms including ice cream, pop, cake and yes, bread.

Now onto the rash- that is a simple trip to an allergen specialist. Remember, all intolerance/allergies are not the same intensity. I have a mild sensitivity to whey; ie, if I have 4 scoops in milk I am miserable. A product fortified with whey, that I can handle fine. Beef on the other hand, will knock me on my butt HARD. I mean cook my food in the same pan as a steak and I am throwing up the meal, hard.

You might be more on the low end of sensitivity and it isn't until now, when your body is getting older and breaking down that it can't handle wheat the same way.

....Although I am curious. Can you have malted shakes? Remember, gluten comes in 3 main forms: wheat, barley, and rye. That means malted shakes, soy sauce, cooking spray, sushi, 99% of all condiments, yogurt and the like often all have it. You should be seeing a reaction elsewhere as well. If not, you might be allergic to something else in the bread- lord knows there is a lot of stuff in there now a days.

Meerataila

Go to your doctor with it. It's the only way to know. And don't clean your diet back up, then go, or the test results will be off (or so I've heard).

It could be something else you're reacting to, by the way. I had a rash for over a year when I was eating incredibly unhealthy. I thought it was gluten, but the rash didn't come back when I ate bread again. I suspect it was a combination of really awful food choices and really rapid weight gain instead.

But the only way to know for sure is take yourself to your doctor ASAP.

leggup

A rash can be literally anything. I got a sudden fungal infection on my legs once. Someone may have brushed up against me on public transport. Who knows. You could have come in contact with someone or something that had a fungus, bacteria, oil, or god knows what on it that you are mildly allergic to. It could have been brought up by stress + something you're not normally sensitive to, like a body spray or body wash. You could have some pre-menopause hormones running wild.

Only a doctor/specialist can diagnose allergens and sensitivities. Do not avoid a food group on a hunch.

Also, that's not food addiction. You are not addicted to bread.

geneticsteacher

I had something similar a few years ago. It started as a tingling feeling and then hundreds of small red bumps. Intensely itchy rash, started on legs, moved on to arms, shoulders, chest, and stomach. The bumps were tiny and almost blister-like before they were gone, leaving red spots which took a while to disappear. No new soaps, lotions, laundry detergents, pets, clothing, etc. I was baking and eating a lot of whole wheat bread at the time (carb addict here! especially bread, not sweets). My family doctor put me on steroids and two antihistamines with no improvement. She referred me to a dermatologist, but the first appointment was 2 months away. After some research, I decided to go gluten free. Either that helped or it was just time for the rash to go away. The whole thing lasted almost 3 months. By the time I saw the dermatologist, there were very few lesions left. She said it certainly sounded like dermatitis herpetiformis, but there was not enough left to biopsy. She said to come in on the same day if it reappeared.

It did reappear - the day before Thanksgiving when her office was closed. I again deleted gluten from my diet and this time it cleared up in 3 weeks instead of 3 months. The third time I had it, it disappeared in 3 days, using topical cortisone. The last (and I hope final) time, I felt the tingling and my legs felt bumpy, almost like sandpaper, but had not broken out yet. I took a double dose of Benadryl and the symptoms were gone the next morning.

My doctor is baffled and still has no idea what is going on. She does not think it is an allergic reaction to anything in the house. I am encouraged by the diminishing of the severity and length of the rash and am just hoping not to see it ever again!

FatFreeFrolicking

I've been on MFP for about a year and a half and only just recently cut out a lot of my wheat products to help encourage myself to eat more fruits and veggies and reach my nutritional goals more easily. Then I had a bad couple weeks, ate bagels and bread incessantly and suddenly started having what I can only self diagnose as a gluten rash. I've done quite a bit of reading about it and it really does seem to fit my symptoms (little red blisters close together showing up on my hips, not in a normally moist spot on the body like the armpits, itching, leaving a dry red spot, only going away after over a week). What is surprising to me is that I haven't had any rash like this before and I'm over 40. The only other indication that I might actually be sensitive to wheat is that when I have eaten wheat, it's like I can't get enough of it. My whole life when I've eaten bread, I often eat it piece after piece, like I'm satisfying a craving that I don't have with any other kind of food, like I'm literally addicted to it. I just thought it was emotional eating, but I'm learning that this might actually be a sign of wheat sensitivity. And it's strange that the rash showed up only after I had gone off gluten for awhile and then reintroduced it. Has anyone else had this experience? Someone else mentioned the book Wheat Belly on another forum here, and I think I need to read that.

It certainly could be from gluten. Although, rashes can be the result of a number of things. Is the rash the only symptom you have?

I started eating gluten free in April because of Crohn's disease and whenever I accidentally eat gluten now, I get red bumps on my stomach and arms. Sometimes chest also. But I also experience terrible gastrointestinal issues when I eat gluten now… pain, diarrhea, bloating, etc. When I consume gluten now, I also become very lethargic and tired.

I'd call your PCP and ask for a referral to an allergist. They will be able to test you for a gluten allergy. I would also get tested for Celiac while you're at it. ***DO NOT cut out all gluten prior to getting tested for Celiac or else the test could give a false negative.***

nof60

It sounds like DH. Shows up in mostly men in there 40s. Celiac related. Same damage to little intestine if not treated but often no digestive issues. Is rash the same on both sides or your body? Just curious if you have any arthritis like pain in knees or heels or ankles?