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Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by nerdponx on Friday February 12, 2021 @05:02PM (#26119061)
There's almost never harm in trying an elimination diet. Cycle out one major food at a time (eg wheat, eggs, milk, meat, nightshades, seafood), for a couple weeks at a time.

Maybe start gradually introducing fermented "live" foods as a matter of routine.

Worst that happens is you eat more veggies and try out a different diet. And if you find something that helps, all the better.

It's pretty well known now that skin conditions can be related to gut conditions.

Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by andrewzah on Friday February 12, 2021 @06:08PM (#26119630)
So I have done this for major things like coffee, milk, wheat. For about a week or so at a time. I guess I can try each again for 2+ weeks... However I'm not convinced the current issue (itching) is related. The symptoms only really present themself at night when going to bed, as I guess I have no other stimuli to focus on. During the day it's basically not an issue.

I plan on trying longer fasts (3days, 5days), maybe 7days as well.

Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by joshspankit on Friday February 12, 2021 @07:27PM (#26120279)
There are a whole host of possible insensitivities (many people are surprised by nightshades for example: potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant. They all share a plant family). Pay attention also to any products you’re directly applying to your skin as there might be ingredients in there that are being absorbed.
Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by DoreenMichele on Saturday February 13, 2021 @05:38AM (#26122771)
Just a couple of random thoughts:

A food and symptom journal can be helpful for trying to connect the dots.

High IgE levels can be due to parasitic infections and these have something of a tendency to go underdiagnosed in the US because they get seen as "third world problems."

Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by andrewzah on Saturday February 13, 2021 @11:52PM (#26129793)
"A food and symptom journal can be helpful for trying to connect the dots."

This is a good idea, I will try this once I start cutting out foods again.

"High IgE levels can be due to parasitic infections and these have something of a tendency to go underdiagnosed in the US because they get seen as "third world problems."

How does one go about testing this? I visited my gp multiple times and a bunch of tests were taken. Aside from the general itching and rashes, I don't really have other symptoms. Maybe a little fatigue occasionally.

Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by DoreenMichele on Sunday February 14, 2021 @12:26AM (#26129933)
"A food and symptom journal can be helpful for trying to connect the dots."

This is a good idea, I will try this once I start cutting out foods again.

You should start the journal now. You need to establish a baseline to compare things to. Start it well before you start making changes and don't make more than one change per week. Reactions to changes can be delayed and it's pretty complicated stuff.

How does one go about testing this?

Sorry, I don't know. I never figured out the secret handshake or whatever to get the medical system to give me the right test to actually identify my infection.

I looked up my symptoms online, drew my own conclusions and I've gradually gotten healthier, though I get treated extremely abusively for trying to talk about it online so I got nothing more for you than the two tidbits above.

Best of luck.

Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by 80mph on Saturday February 13, 2021 @07:29AM (#26123233)
>>The symptoms only really present themself at night when going to bed, as I guess I have no other stimuli to focus on. During the day it's basically not an issue.

Do you take night showers? If your house has hard water or your water dept. adds excessive chlorine, then either of those could be the culprit.

Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by ews on Saturday February 13, 2021 @02:32AM (#26122052)
This could be ringworm. Have you see any particular patterns on your spots ?
Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by andrewzah on Saturday February 13, 2021 @11:50PM (#26129784)
The initial tests looked for fungal infections, and I took anti-fungal pills for about a month as well. After the biopsy at the dermatologist, they told me it was atopic dermatitis / eczema.
Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by nerdponx on Friday February 12, 2021 @08:09PM (#26120527)
On the flip side of what I posted, if it doesn't help then go enjoy your damn food. But good luck figuring it out all the same.
Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by spdionis on Saturday February 13, 2021 @08:02AM (#26123371)
I've had similar problems and I've concluded the main driver was stress after all.
Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by andrewzah on Sunday February 14, 2021 @12:16AM (#26129890)
It definitely doesn't help! I've decided to eliminate coffee completely as even if it doesn't trigger itching symptoms, it absolutely makes me more stressed. I like non-caffeinated tea more anyway, but it's hard to turn down family members making lattes...
Re:Microbial ecosystems in the mouth and gut are linked to m... by tudorw on Saturday February 13, 2021 @03:54AM (#26122353)
Sulphites are worth cutting out to test too.