Recurring Scalp Rash/Sores

[NJ]

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced issues with a recurring scalp rash that seems to be related to food allergies/colitis?

Around the time of my initial diagnosis w/ Ulcerative Colitis six years ago, I started to get groups of raised, red, painful sores on my scalp. I say 'rash' simply because it's the easiest way to describe it. By whatever name, this condition continues to plague me to this day and the only connection I've made as to its appearance is food allergies/intolerances. The initial outbreak occurred about 6 months prior to when my colitis symptoms first appeared and I was officially diagnosed w/ Ulcerative Colitis.

My doctors, of course, saw no connection between the raised bumps on my scalp and colitis. I consulted a dermatologist and was told it was nothing more than seborrheic dermatitis and was given topical lotions and shampoos to apply. These topicals only served to make my scalp more inflamed and sensitive and made the situation worse. I had biopsies taken to check for fungal or bacterial infection and the results were negative.

It was only when I started to do my own research and begin to connect the dots between food intolerances and colitis that the scalp lesions started to become somewhat manageable. As I changed my diet to avoid such things as gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, etc., I started to notice that the bumps on my scalp were reducing in number and duration.

I've often wondered if I'm experiencing Dermatitis Herpetiformis (aka 'celiac rash') on my scalp. I've read that it's rare to get DH on the scalp, but the bumps on my scalp appear similar to pictures of DH that I've seen. At this point, I'm only hypothesizing, but my best guess is that it is DH or something similar that is brought on by my consuming a food that my body reacts to negatively. The biopsies I mentioned above did not include a test to see if the lesions were DH so I can't be sure. Whatever this condition is, I can assure you it's not pleasant.

Anyway, this is my first posting of a 'new topic' and I'd appreciate any help, information, or advice that any of you can provide regarding this scalp condition. I experience so many various symptoms due to consuming foods I'm intolerant to that it's sometimes difficult to believe that all of these various ailments are directly attributable to something as supposedly harmless as food. It's enough to drive me crazy, really. =(

I'm happy to have found these boards, eager to share what I've learned over the past 6 years of experimenting w/ diet and nutrition, and hopeful that I can be of help to some of you as you've already been to me.

--Nathan

[Rosie]

My grandson has CD, and he gets a eczema-type rash on his scalp and face when he has even the tiniest exposure to gluten, even before he has any digestive problems. Other people have posted from time to time with skin problems, and hopefully some of them will respond with more details. I haven't had any issues myself.

Rosie

[JLH]

I still get bumps on my scalp but it's not a rash (close together bumps). I sometimes get more of a rash on my neck under my ear mostly on one side.

[NJ]

Thank you for the replies, I appreciate it.

Just to clarify, I say 'rash' but really I guess my scalp condition can best be described as clusters of raised bumps. These clusters usually occur together in groups of 2 or 3, but other times they appear alone and spaced far apart. They can appear all over my scalp, but seem to primarily pop up on the back of my head and around the hairline in the front and near the ears. If my hair was short enough for them to be seen, the bumps at their worst would look similar to cystic acne. Doctors always write it off as 'folliculitis' or 'dermatitis' but it's definitely neither and does not respond to treatments for such ailments. I'm 99.9 % sure it's related to food intolerances, especially gluten, but I'm just hoping someone else has experienced this or something similar and can shed some light on it for me.

[RUBYREDDOG]

Nathan,

I also had a similar experience about 6 months before I developed my MC symptoms. The bumps were around the hairline to the side of my head. They were dry and flaky looking, but tender to the touch. Around the same time, I developed some red bumps on my legs and was given some cream to put on them, however, that treatment never worked that well.

Since eliminating my food intolerances, they have not reappeared. I tend to agree with you regarding the gluten connection and these bumps. Since eliminating my problem foods, my overall health has improved greatly. Hope you have similar experiences.

Hotrod

[NJ]

Removing all the foods that I'm intolerant to helped somewhat w/ the rash/sores that plagued my scalp for 8 years, but ultimately the condition did not resolve until I removed ALL GRAINS.

Feeling frustrated by a lack of progress in regards to the scalp sores, I tightened up my diet even more and began to follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/. After about 3 months of following the diet, which is not easy, I saw gradual improvement followed by 99% clearing of the scalp condition that had absolutely frustrated me for years. I can't tell you how much of a relief it is to have a clear and pain free scalp.

Every now and again, most noticeably if I accidentally consume a 'forbidden' food, I will start to see a reappearance of sores but thankfully such occurrences are rare.

Anyway, as the SCD prohibits grains, all sugars except honey, legumes, etc., the improvement in my scalp could be due to removing a combination of those foods. However, given that I didn't eat much sugar or beans before, I'd say the biggest difference for me has been the removal of not only gluten, which I hadn't eaten in years, but also all gluten-free grains.

I have Ulcerative Colitis (Pancolitis) and in my opinion the SCD way of eating works extremely well if followed w/ strict adherence. My digestion seems to be good, my colitis symptoms are non-existent, and I've seen positive results w/ the scalp condition, which is an absolute miracle to me. I still suffer from some adult acne, which is a major source of anger for me, but all in all I can't complain too much and am making progress.

This is my first post in months, but I just wanted to provide a brief update in case anyone ever stumbles upon this thread and is experiencing similar problems either w/ UC or skin manifestations of poor digestion.

Hope everyone is doing well.

[tex]

Nathan,

That's great news. Kudos to you for sticking with a tough diet long enough to get the results that you were seeking.

This is very valuable information - many thanks for posting this update of your experience,

Tex