Still Itching: Time To Find The Unknown Allergen

I’m still struggling with this allergic reaction that started in February. I initially thought it was the Keto rash and tried coming off the ketogenic diet to get rid of it, without success. I then thought histamine intolerance, so I went low histamine, which cut out a huge amount of staples for me, including my main fat sources. So I added dairy back in. This full body itch still persists, I’m not sure what it is and it just won’t go away!

So I’m redoing my food list. I’m going dairy free again, nut free, caffeine free, as well as low histamine and Keto! It’s going to be tough.

I’m going to see if I can eliminate the itch by identifying the allergen. The doctors just prescribe antihistamines and I was told not to change my diet, but frankly I’m sick of them prescribing bandaid solutions rather than figuring out what the cause is.

It has been months now and I’m still itching. It’s ridiculous!

So now that I’m thoroughly fed up, I’ll take it into my own hands, again, and do my own elimination diet. My meals might end up being very monotonous, but it’s what needs to be done at this point.

I really hope I’ll find the culprit soon, so I can get back to eating a wider variety of foods. If this change in diet does nothing to improve the situation within a few weeks, I will have to insist they refer me to an allergist, because I don’t have the energy to keep scratching… It’s exhausting and frustrating.

I’ll be quite sad if I’m allergic to nuts or dairy, but I’ll be relieved if I can pinpoint the culprit, whatever it is!

I really hope it’s not another symptom of ME/CFS – that would be quite bad, but I guess I will find a way to deal with it, if that is the case.

Have you experienced anything like this before? Just itching – everywhere, constantly.

UPDATE: I have since come to the conclusion that I am histamine intolerant and my histamine bucket is simply overflowing, I don’t think I’m necessarily allergic to any one thing, but rather having trouble eliminating histamine that accumulates naturally on food and in the body. You can read more about what my new doctor said here, and find out how I’m reducing the itching as well as the rashes and hives that later appeared, here.

Thank you for stopping by. Hugs, Char xx

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Chronically Hopeful
Chronically Hopeful

Char was born and raised in South Africa, but has been settled in Europe for over 20 years. She's passionate about finding ways to live well, despite chronic illness.

Apart from blogging, she enjoys art, cooking, reading, gardening, gaming and learning new things. She speaks English, Italian and Afrikaans fluently and is slowly learning French too.

She used to be a teacher, but has been housebound with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis since 2015. Since then, she's focused on spending the little energy and strength she has each day on the people and activities she loves. Finding joy in the little things and celebrating the ordinary.

6 Comments

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  1. I’ve had this too! For years my shins would itch and even blister. When I cut out dairy, though, it went away. More recently, every once in a while I’d get itching all over my legs and hips, sometimes for months! I got an allergy test done, and after eliminating all possible culprits, I’m now itch-free 🙂 . Have you found your culprits?

    • Hi Mrs C,
      Thanks for sharing your story! Unfortunately I have not yet found my culprits. I hope to at least figure it out by the end of the year, in a couple of weeks, if my last attempts have not shown any improvement, then I’ll insist on a referral to an allergist. Thanks for your support!

  2. I suffered from this for years (chronic hives, stomach upset, etc, and miserable itching all over), and tried all types of elimination diets, but never could figure it out until I was allergy tested (skin prick test). Come to find out, it was MULTIPLE foods that were causing it, which was why it was so hard for me to figure it out. Maybe that will help you also. Don’t give up!

    • Thank you, Tonya! I’m so close to returning to the doctors and insisting they test me or refer me to an allergist. I don’t think there is much more I can do on my own to figure it out. Thank you for the encouragement xx

  3. hello!
    I started keto on February 2020 and from March I started feel itching my private part, when I checked with the doctor she said it is fungus infection.. after a month (which is now) I got the most horrible itching, exactly like your situation..itching my whole body everywhere.. especially my arms.. its so annoying… I got antihistamines too but its not really helping.. I quit keto and now I just eat boiled potatoes and rice.. I really need help this is painful.. I’ll do the same and ask for allergist.

    • Yes, it can be very frustrating. You might not be allergic to anything in particular, but have a general histamine overload issue, like I have. It would be helpful if an allergist can investigate, but if they cannot pinopint anything in particular, then I would suggest looking into Mast Cell Activation and Histamine Intolerance. And trying a Low Histamine Keto if you still want to try keto. I’ve been on Low Histamine Keto for a few years now and have very few reactions each year, usually during spring time when pollen is high so my body gets overloaded more easily. I will share my Low Histamine Keto food list soon. All the best.

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