Wheat intolerance or rosacea?

Just to add. People can have mast cell disorders. Rosacea and eczema are also types of mast cell disorders (in some cases). It is for me. I have histamine reactions to many foods, immediately, just like an allergic reaction. But, my allergy tests are negative. It's an immune malfunction. Or possibly I also have a problem with DAO (the histamine degrading enzyme in our GI tract). And for example, if I eat fresh chicken I don't have a histamine reaction. If I eat leftover chicken I have a histamine reaction. Bacteria causes me histamine reactions.

Yes! Tyramine is related! My allergist was pretty clueless. My allergy tests were negative. But wheat gluten gives me hives. And I have histamine reactions to all kinds of foods. Mine was caused by medical injuries. So, I am recovering (slowly). I go to a Rheumatologist because I have elevated rheumatoid antibody factor. She has been helping me. And I see a neurologist because I have trigeminal nerve pain in my face and eyes. I'm on waiting list to see a GI specialist (year long wait). My Rheumatologist writes celiac disease in my charts. I tracked my diet and symptoms and that helped me most to change my diet. I have a GI disorder.

Elise4270 wrote: »

@shaumom Spectacular insight. Thank you so much!

I do not tolerate sulfites or nitrates. Usually that's packaged meats and wine. Soy causes intestinal issues. Wheat causes issues, most obvious with beer and pasta.

I agree 100% that it acts like an allergy. I'm thinking, post surgery, I may be more sensitive to something. But then again, after surgery, I got lazy.

Glad you are feeling better, and glad it could help!

Oh, the sulfites! I might be able to help with that! I react to sulfites as well. I started getting really, really sensitive and was reacting all over the place, and finally got in with a support group to try and figure out what was going on.

And the one thing that stood out is that there are more sulfites being added to foods these days, basically. In part because wet milled corn - a type of corn that is processed by first soaking in a 24 hour bath of a sulfite solution - is the corn that is used to make corn starch, corn syrup, dextrose, and a bunch of other corn-related ingredients that are much more common in our food supply than they were a decade ago. Heck, even some cheeses now have cornstarch added to the inside of the plastic package to keep the cheese from sticking.

There is also a type of dough conditioner that is sometimes added to breads and pizza dough that is sulfite based. It's also being used more frequently now as a preservative for scents, so everything from perfume to body spray can have it now. :-/

Seriously, when I started looking, I was surprised how much I was running into sulfites. Just usually, it had been small enough I didn't notice, but when it started building up, it was a real problem.

This one gal has a website where she listed a lot of sulfite containing foods and substances. Not all of them bother everyone (some sulfite sensitive folks seem to have more issues with processing sulfur in general - enzyme issue - but their bad foods are listed on her site as well).

It was a good list for me originally to avoid for a while, and then slowly add back in to see what was a problem, and what was fine. Really helped me a lot. Hope it might be of use for you too!

http://holdthesulfites.com

Good luck!

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Sarahb29 wrote: »

goldthistime wrote: »

Elise4270 wrote: »

goldthistime wrote: »

I'm trying laser for mine. Got a great Groupon deal.

Laser for which condition? And your particular condition- do steroids help or aggravate it?

I'm getting laser for my rosacea. These are IPL treatments and basically cauterize broken capillaries that cause blood to pool at the skin's surface, if my capillaries are small enough. If they aren't there are two more levels of procedures that they can perform. The third level is a saline treatment and is used on spider veins on the legs (which luckily I don't have). Meaning I'm confident that they can get rid of these one way or another. My mother used to have them on her cheeks and they didn't look bad at all, she never had to wear blush. But mine are just beside my nose, yuck.

ETA: our problems don't sound identical. I DO get dry red patches too, but these are temporary and steroids do help.

Wait - you can get rid of rosacea?! I thought it wasn't curable and nothing could be done about it! Here I am slathering on make up so I don't look like freaking pikachu everyday. I have very fair skin and burn easily so I've had this since I was 12 or 13

I'll have to let you know how it works out. I've been to one treatment and I don't see a bit of difference. But I had laser hair removal and didn't see any difference after the first few treatments either, so I should withhold judgement.

Elise4270 wrote: »

BinaryPulsar wrote: »

I'm using finacea 15%. It says gel, but it's actually a cream. It works great for me. I had to ease into it. It caused redness and sensitivity at first. Now it helps me.

Edit to add: My Rheumatologist thinks I might have Relapsing Polychondritis. The immune system attacks the cartilage in the body. I'm not ready to accept that. So, I will wait and see if it gets better or worse.

That's good to know that it's helped you. I was told if it caused irritation to stop using it. I may be more patient with it now.

I stopped. Then I tried again. I might have had irritation because of combining it with other things. I got red, raw, itchy. I stopped. I tried a few times. And then eventually it was helpful. But, definitely listen to your doctor.

Elise4270 wrote: »

goldthistime wrote: »

Thanks for sharing that. Interestingly (well, to me at least), a gynecologist looking at my bw in an effort to help me get and stay pregnant some years ago said I had a marker for Lupus. Would you mind staying in touch? Here or via PM?

I sure don't mind at all. I'm a bit down, could really use some company. Surgery 3 months ago, not making the comeback I'd hoped for- no running, still on crutches and now this annoying rash. Not back to work yet.....boo! Just makes me wanna eat pizza and ice cream, lol!

Have you found any other way to get some cardio in? Or tried a modified weight lifting routine (like seated perhaps)? I've had injuries that really got me down and I gained weight, but recently, perhaps because I have had such a long string of injuries, (practice makes perfect!), I've found a way to stay somewhat active, mostly positive and not gain. Hoping you are back to your old self soon.

Meaning it's not lupus? I'm celebrating with you!

I have bad gluten issues too, but it causes hive-like bumps all over me...If I stay away, everything clears up...one teenie weenie little muffin? My arms and chest become like bumpy sandpaper, which takes weeks to clear up.

yep, sounds like rosacea. I recommend avoiding your triggers (mine are tomatoes, chocolate, any sort of alcohol) and getting laser treatment for reducing the overall redness and pain.



P.S. IPL-Lasers