Gluten Sensitivity & Rash - A Question

[Guest guest]

I've just gone for blood tests - & there may be other tests if the blood work

isn't definite - for gluten sensitivity. It never occurred to me that I may

be gluten intolerant as I didn't realise symptoms can show as a spectrum from

mild to severe. " If " this is what I have, my symptoms have been mild until

recently with a severely itchy skin rash in a specific pattern. When gluten

intolerance shows on the skin, it's called DH or dermatitis herpetiformis.

 

I've started eating gluten free. I'm well aware of the hidden places gluten

may be found in food & since I rarely eat out & make my own foods (from

sauces, dips, dressings, soups, baking, etc), I feel eliminating gluten won't

be difficult although I will miss some foods.

 

It's the rash that's driving me crazy - literally. I once had scabies when

younger & the itch from scabies was nothing compared to this. One site even

described the itch from DH as " exquisitely itchy " & another said it's the 2nd

itchiest rash known (didn't mention what the 1st one was). It's not a matter

of resisting scratching either. I wake up at night ripping at my skin in my

sleep. I've cut my nails to nothing, wear only the softest cotton & when at

home, keep my skin uncovered & cool as heat or touch makes it worse.

 

Stronger hydrocortisone creams do nothing & I'd rather not use them much

especially since they don't help as it is. I applied a capsicum preparation

as I found it helpful with itchy skin before but no help there either. Ice,

camphor & menthol solutions - nothing & I've gone through so many ideas to

try to find something to relieve it. It's taken over my days with me trying

my best to resist clawing at my skin. I can't focus or think well.

 

I can't get in to see my TCM doctor now either as my car isn't road worthy &

I'm afraid of it breaking down since he's an hour away in heavy traffic. Does

anyone know of any acupuncture points that I may use pressure on or of

anything that may relieve the itch, please?

 

Judy

[Guest guest]

On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 5:14 PM, Judy Wilkins <isomorphix wrote:

 

> my symptoms have been mild until

> recently with a severely itchy skin rash

>

 

 

 

 

 

Large Intestine 4 is a good all purpose make-it-go-away point that you might

want to try. Squeeze the meat between your thumb and index finger until it

gets dull and achy. Hold. Repeat.

 

Another good skin point is Spleen 10. That's above your knee cap's corner

about 2 inches. When looking at your right knee, this would be about 2

inches above the left-close corner of the knee cap when visualized as a

square.

 

On the left side, it'll be 2 inches above the right-close corner of the knee

cap. ( " Two cun superior to the mediosuperior corner of the patella when the

knee is flexed, in the bulge of the muscle quadriceps femoris. " )

 

For those of you keeping score at home, LI 4 clears heat from the yang ming

which would be good for her, especially if this is a Stomach or LI heat

issue, some dermatological stuff is.

 

More likely however is the old saying " to treat wind, treat the blood " that

applies to her itching, since itching is wind. Spleen 10 is the master point

for blood. Figured it couldn't hurt.

 

-al.

 

 

 

--

, DAOM

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

In addition to the points that Al suggested, you might try Baichongwo, which

clears heat from the blood, and eliminates wind and drains dampness. This

point is 1 cun above Spleen 10, (Al gave directions for finding Spleen 10).

You can use the width of your thumb to determine approximately how large 1

cun is.

 

If you happen to have Ching Wan Hung, (burn creme), it might help alleviate

the itch as well.

 

Jeri