Don’t parents know that rashes can be caused by food? I had a young girl, about 4, brought in by her parents for a rash a while back. She had eczema, and had been suffering
from it pretty much her entire young life. I launched into my quick question mode and found out that no one had even considered various allergic causes of the rash. I asked if she seemed particularly sensitive to any foods, and the mom said, “Oh well when she drinks a glass of milk, she has terrible diarrhea and bloating, and maybe her rash gets worse.” Trying to lead them a bit, I asked if they thought she might be sensitive to milk or dairy. They weren’t sure. I asked if they had ever tried a dairy free diet. No.
It’s hard to imagine having a child with these symptoms, and not trying a couple diet changes to see if that would help. Unfortunately for this child she has suffered now from fairly severe allergic symptoms for several years that were most likely preventable.
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So is it possible to have a food allergy or intolerance with all over severe itching and diarrhea, but no rash? This happens to me a handful of times during the year after I ingest so process or preprepared for. I figure its due to a dye or preservative, but have been unable to nail down the exact cause. Methylprednisolone usally helps resolve the symptoms.
Rashes certainly vary. You don’t have to have a rash to be having allergic symptoms. Sounds like a visit to an allergy specialist would be a good call.
ER Doc,
Give ‘em a break … I’m sure I sound equally clueless, if not more so, when I go to the garage to get my car serviced.
I doubt it. If you drove for 100 thousand miles and never changed your oil, I don’t think you would ask the mechanic why you car was running rough.