Not Sure if this is the right place - Gluten free Diets

CaniacMom

My teenage son (15yo) had developed severe psoriasis.  I know this doesn't really fit in the special needs category but I am guessing some of you have tried special diets for a variety of reasons.

The steroid creams are not working.  My son is slack about using them but even with consistent use we do not see much result and as soon as he goes off of them he flares terribly.  We really do not want to go to more drastic measures as the long term side effects of oral or injectible drugs are at this time not worth it to us.

I have been doing a lot of research and see lots of praise regarding gluten free diets for clearing up psoriasis as well as a a myriad of other problems.  In a way it makes a lot of sense but in others it almost seems to simplistic that you can alleviate so many ailments/disorders/etc with a diet.

Any experience with going Gluten Free helping with issues that are not directly gluten intolerances?

 

ToastieSimons

You may get more feedback if you post this on the food allergy board.  

I do know my son's eczema flares up when he has soy so it wouldn't surprise me that food intolerances can cause skin condition.  From what I understand though gluten-free is really only effective with dermatitis herpetiformis (I'm gluten free myself but I don't have any skin conditions)

CaniacMom

Thanks for the advice ToastieSimons.  I did not think of the food allergy board. 

To me it is worth a shot - I see it as not being something that could be harmful to him.  It may be more expensive to try to eat that way & take more planning on my part but it is not like the meds/shots which could have long term side-effects.  We could try it-  it may work but if not we have essentailly had him eat a healthier diet for awhile and maybe instilled some good habbits.

JaysonandKristin

 

Diet is HUGE.  I cannot advocate strongly enough how much diet will affect your son's well-being. 

However, I'm with Auntie.  Unless he is willing and 100% compliant, there's no sense in wasting the time or effort. 

CaniacMom

-auntie-:

Does your son want to do this?

Gluten has to be 100% to be beneficial. Families I know who follow the diet for autism and celiac have different utensils and food prep appliances for gluten-free family members.

Given that he's a typically developing teen, I could see this as a huge hurdle. Since he's uncompliant around his topical creams, he probably won't buy into a restrictive diet. I could totally see you committing to the extra effort and him grabbing a pizza with friends.

 I am worried about how to get him to comply.  There is another guy in his youth group at church who has to eat gluten/dairy free.  He is a few years older and I think would be a good influence in explaining/modeling 100% compliance.  I have seen him in action of mentoring younger youth with other stuff so I think he is the type who would take on something like this.  I don't know if it would work but I am grasping at straws.

Additionally DH thinks it wouldn't work.  In the past I have not been an alternative remedy fan but the more I read the more it makes sense.

MaxandRuby

A gluten free diet must be adhered to 100% and it can be hard since gluten can be found in hidden things. A gluten free diet is usually "prescribed" for Celiac Disease and Dermatitis Herpetiformis (I have this). I also agree that if he doesn't want to do it 100% then it probably would not be worth your time. FWIW, I should be eating 100% gluten free but I don't. I eat gluten pretty much every day. I, personally, find this to be a difficult diet because I have trouble 1. spending the money for GF things (it is a more expensive diet so expect your grocery bill to go up) and 2. finding GF things that have a texture I like.

I will say though, that meat, vegetables, and fruit is an easy way to go GF (however you have to watch any kind of flavorings you may use).