So entering week four of no wheat or gluten I had a terrible outbreak of Eczema such that I had 6 of my fingers creamed up and taped in guaze and medical tape. I had been diligent to keep all wheat and gluten out of the diet and yet seen no progress. My eczema seems to go in a cycle (not so bad, getting a little worse, severe outbreak, calming back down, seems to be almost gone, well it’s not so bad…getting worse…etc etc). Going off wheat and gluten in no way changed this. It got worse and better on that same cycle. And I didn’t cheat or try to go off at all. I know there are “hidden” sources of wheat, but still, it should have made some difference eliminating all known sources and it did not.

So I ate a cinnamon bun at Chutes last sunday. It was delicious. mmmmm I tried staying off wheat the rest of the day and nervously waited to see if I would become a walking rash. I did not.

On monday and tuesday I ate stuff with wheat/gluten as it came up, but tried not to gorge. Again, I got no worse and no better. So I think if I have any allergy, it is mild and in conjunction with some other allergy.Now I will choose whether to try milk or corn as the next suspect.

However, I am now wondering if it is largely weather related, as I tend to flare up badly when it is driest and everyone else around me is suffereing with dry skin. I get bad dry skin and break out in eczema and then as I slather vitamin E and dry skin lotion directly to the hands and my rash, and wear moisture gloves at night, I see a reduction in itchyness and all that. Also I have taken claritin and that helps.

I will probably wait to do another elimination diet until we’ve moved and I have less people to torture with my reciepes and the things I won’t buy. ha ha.