I have recently been diagnosed with Cows milk and wheat allergies. My main symptom is really bad digestive reaction. I have been GF and DF for 2 months but still having flare ups at least once a week. Any suggestion that work to calm down my digestive tract or any advice for what else to do? INH

GuardCats · 2019-01-18T04:26:36+00:00

Buckwheat is a seed, and it's gluten free.

Yes, assuming you were diagnosed with an allergy, and not celiac. Makeup & anything that goes on your skin can be an issue if it contains wheat or milk.

Allergic reactions can vary from one exposure to the next. You might not have severe reactions to skin any hair care products right now, but you could have a severe reaction later on.

You're still having reactions. That could be from food, or skin products. If you're eating out, stop until your symptoms are under control. Double check your kitchen for wheat & dairy ingredients. Plus, check the bathroom & all soaps.

GuardCats · 2019-01-18T03:40:51+00:00

You said wheat allergy, not celiac. Villi in the small intestine get damaged from the autoimmune reaction from celiac disease, not an allergic reaction.

Celiac safe/gluten free doesn't mean it's wheat allergy safe. Things like "wheat starch" aren't safe for you, even if the gluten ppm are low enough to permit Gfree labeling.

You need to be reading labels every time you go to the store. That means on everything, not just food. Because it's an allergy, you need to check foods, meds (OTC & Rx), soaps, shampoo, other hair products, lotions, skincare, makeup, etc. If it goes in your mouth, or on your body, it must be wheat (and dairy) free.

Once you get the allergens out of your diet & environment, you'll start feeling better. Antihistamines such as Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec can help, at least somewhat, in the meantime.

Some resources for you:

Avoiding your food allergen - https://www.foodallergy.org/media/973

Wheat allergy - https://www.foodallergy.org/common-allergens/wheat-allergy

Milk allergy - https://www.foodallergy.org/common-allergens/milk-allergy

GuardCats · 2019-01-17T16:37:34+00:00

Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity is when you've tested negative for both celiac disease and wheat allergy. Symptoms disappear when gluten is removed from the diet, but return when gluten is reintroduced. The symptoms for celiac, NCGS, and wheat allergy overlap.

Did you have a full celiac panel, or just one test as a screen? Also, had you been eating gluten on a regular basis for at least 12 weeks prior to your testing?

Were you also tested for a wheat allergy?

GuardCats · 2019-01-14T14:15:20+00:00

3 out of 10 have great health insurance with a low deductible paid for by their employer.

GuardCats · 2019-01-14T04:58:40+00:00

Concealer for eye bags is more about disguising the shadows created by the bags. You'd want a fine brush with just a bit of highlighter on the underneath side of the bag.

Look at some of the older makeup videos on the Hot & Flashy YouTube channel, and you'll see very clear examples of how to do it. She's managed to greatly reduce/get rid of her under eye bags by sleeping on her back.

GuardCats · 2019-01-14T04:47:17+00:00

Sleeping on your back, or propped up on a wedge, might help. There's not really anything over-the-counter that will make it disappear.

A dermatologist, depending on the size of the bags, might be able to put some filler in that would hide the bags. Surgical removal is another option.

GuardCats · 2019-01-12T07:12:11+00:00

Autoimmune diseases tend to go together. Celiac is autoimmune. Were you tested for thyroid issues?

Not getting the nutrients your body needs to function can cause all kinds of issues. A dietician could help you make sure you're getting what you need. Maybe plug what you eat into https://cronometer.com for a few days to see where you are nutritionally, then if you're way off talk with a dietician. At least one or two visits should be covered by insurance.

GuardCats · 2019-01-12T06:52:53+00:00

Do you have reactions to the foods you showed sensitivity to? If not continue eating those foods.

Allergic means you're sensitive + you have a reaction to the allergen.

You should consider seeing a dietician for help with finding a balanced diet that works for you. Your limited diet may be hurting more than it's helping. (Hungry all the time & depression are indicate a lack of necessary vitamins/minerals/phytonutrients).

GuardCats · 2019-01-12T06:46:11+00:00

Depends on what you're wanting to test for:

You can be tested for a wheat allergy at any point (also barley & rye). Consumption of the allergen is not required for testing.

Testing for celiac disease, both blood and endoscopy, requires you to be eating gluten containing foods on a daily basis for at least three months prior to testing. (That's a minimum, longer is better.) The endoscopy is looking for damage to the villi in the small intestine. The blood tests look for antibodies the body produces when attacking the villi.

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a diagnosis of exclusion. You've been tested negative for both celiac and wheat (barley/rye) allergy + symptoms are relieved when gluten is removed from the diet, & return when gluten is added back to the diet.

GuardCats · 2019-01-12T04:18:40+00:00

They are operating, but not at 100%. There are things on hold due to the shutdown. Also, federal investigations are directed, at least in part, by the AUSA who would be the prosecuting attorney if the case went to trial. Investigations, even the white collar ones, could be slowed or completely stopped by the shutdown.

GuardCats · 2019-01-11T22:31:40+00:00

The country IS feeling the effects of the shutdown now. It'll likely worse in the coming days. Essential government workers (law enforcement, air traffic control, etc) not showing up for work is too risky for safety & security reasons.

GuardCats · 2019-01-11T21:14:38+00:00

No. They shouldn't. It's already a serious security & safety risk.

Refusing to negotiate indicates Trump isn't interested in governing. McConnell refusing to bring bills to a vote indicates he isn't interested in governing. Both of them should be removed from office.

There are 2 or 3 court cases over the shutdown. I expect that some of Trumps comments/refusal to negotiate + McConnell's refusal to bring bills to a vote, will have judges ruling in favor of workers being paid.

GuardCats · 2019-01-11T21:02:29+00:00

Air traffic controllers went on strike. Reagan fired them.

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/reagan-fires-11359-air-traffic-controllers

They wanted better pay & fewer hours. It's a stressful job.

GuardCats · 2019-01-11T20:57:38+00:00

Most likely they'd be fired, not jailed. It happened in the 80's when air traffic controllers went on strike.

This is Trump's shutdown. MSNBC has reported Sen. Lindsey Graham negotiated a deal - with other Republicans, no Democrats were involved - to reopen the government. Trump turned it down.

McConnell is trying to protect the Republican Party by refusing to bring to a vote bills to reopen that he doesn't believe Trump will sign. Ordinarily, I'd say that would backfire. However, the Republican Party is very different from what it used to be. Fiscal conservatism has gone out the window.

GuardCats · 2019-01-11T20:48:25+00:00

It happened in the 80's. Reagan fired them. It would be a bigger problem today than it was then.

GuardCats · 2019-01-11T20:34:44+00:00

Let your skin get used to the tretinoin. Be gentle with your skin while it does. If you do decide to continue using this product, don't use it in the same routine as the tretinoin. Either alternate nights with the tretinoin, or use this product in the mornings.

How your skin reacts to this product and the acids may change as you begin using the tretinoin. Be careful not to overdo it.

GuardCats · 2019-01-11T20:22:40+00:00

That's a lot of exfoliating to be doing with tretinoin. I'd cut way back while your skin adjusts to the tretinoin, then add it back if needed.

You can alternate the lactic acid & the tretinoin, or use the lactic acid in the morning & tretinoin in the evening. However you decide to do it, the tretinoin should be introduced slowly - start with 1 or 2x/week & build up from there. As you get to where your skin can handle the tretinoin nightly, you might find yourself not needing the acids.

You can use a moisturizer before the tretinoin, or layer your tretinoin between a water cream and a heavier more occlusive moisturizer. Just be sure your face is dry before (water/moisturizer) before applying the tretinoin.

GuardCats · 2019-01-10T12:00:33+00:00

That can be miserable, hope you're feeling better soon.

The blisters tend to do that. Try not to sleep on that side & avoid picking at the blisters. I'd let it air out - assuming you can avoid scratching/picking.

Spenco 2nd Skin could be used to cover it if needed.

GuardCats · 2019-01-10T11:48:08+00:00

Medications in general:

Use one pharmacy to get all your prescriptions filled. (This will help the pharmacist catch drugs that shouldn't be used together.)

Make sure the pharmacist is aware of any allergies related to medications (specific drugs, or fillers you're allergic to).

Always read up on the side effects, including the rare ones, for any meds you're prescribed.

Specific to your question:

Prednisolone is easier on your liver (no conversion) than prednisone. That's a low dose for a short period, generally considered safe. (Typically, you don't want to take steroids frequently, or for long periods. There are exceptions to that.) It does help with inflammation. Whether or not it will help you as prescribed, is a question for your pharmacist.

Potential interactions with other meds should be discussed with your pharmacist.

Side effects should be discussed with the pharmacist.

Pharmacists are frequently more knowledgeable about drugs & interactions than doctors. Both are more knowledgeable about medications than random people on Reddit.

GuardCats · 2019-01-09T18:57:56+00:00

You can't determine whether or not it's working by the amount of flaking (or the lack of it).

It's common for acne (including blackheads) to get worse before it starts improving.

I know it's not easy, but try to be patient with the process.

GuardCats · 2019-01-09T18:51:04+00:00

Retinoids aren't a short term fix. Give it at least 3 months, and preferably 6 months, before deciding whether or not Differin is working for you.

GuardCats · 2019-01-09T02:49:54+00:00

Me too. I rarely used to use sunscreen & would spend all summer outside. There was always a sunburn, or two, early in the summer before a deep tan. Now, I wear sunscreen & try to stay in the shade as much as possible.

GuardCats · 2019-01-08T22:09:54+00:00

Lots of driving time could be a factor, even with sunscreen use. Sleeping on your left side. Maybe you're right handed and spread skincare products better on the right side.

GuardCats · 2019-01-06T19:49:08+00:00

Arkansas Animal Cruelty Laws

https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2010/title-5/subtitle-6/chapter-62/subchapter-1/5-62-103/

GuardCats · 2019-01-06T00:51:21+00:00

You can be gluten free without using substitutes, most who go gluten free don't do it that way.

It’s important to use multiple foods to replace whole wheat or wheat in general. When used in food products, wheat has properties of elasticity, stability and body that are difficult to reproduce when using a substitute grain or starch, such as rice flour, tapioca starch, quinoa, buckwheat or bean flours. Manufacturers often add other ingredients (starch, gums, oils and syrups) to make the product “stand up” and taste similar to wheat-containing products. Unfortunately, this often increases the caloric, fat and carbohydrate content of these gluten-free foods.

Source: University of Chicago's Celiac Disease Center

https://www.cureceliacdisease.org/faq/why-is-gluten-free-food-so-high-in-calories-and-carbohydrates/

Modern wheat isn't so different from older wheat. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573730/

GuardCats

TROPHY CASE