Gluten & Claritin

[Guest guest]

I know that some of you are aware I follow a very

strict, gluten-free diet and this has been

instrumental in clearing up my skin -- also health

complaints in other parts of my body.

About two months ago, I began to be frustrated by

flaring and breakouts again. This was annoying and

scary, because my breakouts leave permanent dark red

scar-like marks. I re-examined my moisturizer... began

using plain water instead of cleanser... checked my

diet... began taking Claritin on a regular basis to

quiet the flushing, cool the itching, and hopefully

calm the hive-like bumps appearing like clusters on my

face. I began breaking out with island-shaped patches

around my mouth and nostrils that peeled constantly.

The itching on my legs intensified and several little

blister-like bumps appears. Finally the corners of my

mouth cracked and hurt.

I hadn't experienced anything like this since I was at

my worst, a year and a half ago.

Finally, in frustration, I began an item-by-item check

of everything and anything I might have changed that

would have begun this nasty cycle.

I rechecked my medications -- I take Claritin, as

needed(although daily at this point), and another

medication for my blood pressure.

In checking a pretty comprehensive website of products

containing gluten, I checked into the list of products

that were recently listed as " Now Containing Gluten " .

You've probably already guessed it. Claritin. The

company manufacturing it says that none of the

Claritin products are now gluten-free (it was when I

began taking it last September...). The post was made

in early April, not long after my problems began.

Now two days without Claritin, my skin is clearing

again. No new bumps and the scaley patches are gone.

The peeling from the breakouts is clearing up. I'm

wearing a LOT less makeup.

If you think that diet can't play that big a role in

your skin's health, picture how mine got so messed up

on the amount of gluten in one tiny tablet a day!

By the way, I'm not implying that gluten is the cause

of all rosacea -- I do, however, strongly believe that

reactions from various food allergies and intolerances

can surface in something that looks like, and may be

misdiagnosed as, rosacea.

Suzi

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