Gluten Allergy Symptoms

Are Gluten Allergies Causing Your Skin Problems?

Did you know that gluten allergy symptoms may be related to those mysterious skin rashes and skin problems that you can't seem to find a solution for?

Gastrointestinal disorders are at an all time high. Many people relate the effects of fast food and refined carbohydrates to the disorders that cause diarrhea, nausea and constipation, but few look at the potential causes of these problems.

While people are resorting to colon cleansing, homemade body cleansing, detox diets and fasting to eliminate their intestinal discomfort, they could be suffering from gluten allergies.

Diagnosing a Gluten Allergy

Gluten allergy symptoms are relatively common, more so than you might think. Experts believe that 1 out of every 30 adults and 1 out of every 40 children may suffer from gluten allergies!

The symptoms are so wide ranging that it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of your symptoms. Your doctor can diagnose a gluten allergy, and she or he will look for some of the common gluten allergy symptoms which may include:

• Fatigue
• Anemia
• Mouth ulcers
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Gas
• Depression
• Skin problems
• Asthma
• Irritability

While some of these symptoms may seem common for a food allergy, others like depression and irritability are rarely seen on food allergy symptom lists.

One of the more unpleasant symptoms of a gluten allergy is dermatitis herpetiformis. This skin condition can develop on the elbows, buttocks and knees or any other part of the body.

Welts or raised blisters are often part of the condition and treatment can be difficult. Immediate dietary changes are required to stop the reaction and clear up the skin condition.

How to Reduce Gluten In Your Diet

If you are diagnosed with a gluten allergy, the good news is that you can reduce many or all of your symptoms by avoiding foods that contain gluten.

The problem is, that this is not as easy as it sounds! On a practical level, and also emotionally, it is difficult to eliminate ALL gluten from your diet,

Gluten is found in food. Specifically, it is a protein that is found in wheat, barley and rye. Wheat is the most common offender for people suffering from gluten allergies because all white flour and wheat flour is made from wheat.

Flour is used as a binding agent in many foods and is used in nearly every baked or fried food sold in grocery stores and restaurants.

While some flours are marked as gluten free, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States requires only some of the gluten be removed in order to be deemed free of gluten. This can be a REAL problem for people who are suffering from a gluten allergy!

Living Gluten Free is Healthier

Living a gluten free life could mean switching to a whole foods diet. Whole foods include fruits, vegetables and proteins that have not been breaded or seasoned in any way, and whole, gluten free grains such as rice.

Nowadays as more people discover that they have gluten allergies or gluten sensitivity, there are more gluten free products being developed so that people with gluten allergies can enjoy a bit of flare to their diet!

This is also helpful emotionally, as flour based foods are our fun, comfort foods. It is important to feel nourished and also comforted by our foods, so that we don't need to overeat.

Although I don't have a gluten allergy, I find that I have less joint pain, fewer skin breakouts, and fewer candida symptoms when I eat a mostly gluten free diet. I've enjoyed all kinds of yummy gluten free cookies, gluten free pasta, and I even learned to make gluten free muffins!

Wheat can show up in all kinds of unlikely foods such as tamari and soy sauce, so be sure to read labels when shopping for gluten free products.

Eating Out With Gluten Allergies

Depending on where you live, eating out with a gluten allergy may be more difficult accomplish. Restaurants nearly always use some form of gluten in foods. Choosing salads and lean meats from the menu can prove to be safe, in most cases.

Some people with severe gluten allergies may need to request that their food be prepared using separate utensils, as traces of gluten foods that remain on a cutting board or knife could be enough to start a reaction.

There are also many hidden forms of gluten that can exist within prepared foods. If salads contain croutons or prepared salad dressings, gluten is probably there. To avoid another rash of gluten allergy symptoms, you may find it helpful to call ahead to the restaurant to make arrangements for a gluten free meal.

Gluten Free Skincare and Personal Care products

Medical research says that gluten molecules are not absorbed into the skin and therefore are not a danger to people with gluten allergies, and many people with celiac disease and other gluten sensitivities have no problem using skincare and personal care products with gluten in them.

Other people with gluten allergies prefer to also use gluten free skin care and personal care products, both for peace of mind, and in the event that a very small amount of gluten from a personal care product accidentally splashes into one's eyes or mouth.

The safe hypoallergenic products that we recommend are all gluten free, as well as free from plant allergens. This product line is the ONLY one I've found is BOTH free of botanicals and allergens AND also free of toxic chemicals that are added to most other hypoallergenic products. To be certain, please read all product ingredients or contact the companies directly with an specific questions.

Gluten Allergy Symptoms - Support for Going Gluten Free

One of the really HUGE challenges of eliminating your gluten allergy symptoms by going gluten free is that it requires a lot of work, AND the kinds of foods you need to avoid are exactly the kind of comfort foods that we turn to in times of emotional stress.

In fact, emotional eating is one of the top reasons that people have trouble switching to a gluten free diet.

Thankfully there is a new resource now available by Holly Noonan who has created a teleclass and support program called Going Gluten Free Without Losing Your Mind. This program is used by health counselors and people with gluten allergies to help make a successful transition into gluten free living. This program is designed to give you a roadmap and a support system to help you manage the binge eating, the hassles you get from family and friends when you change your diet, and the practical challenges of living gluten free.