We explore the relationship between gluten and diaper rash and discuss some of the most common symptoms of gluten intolerance in babies.
What Is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein present in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. It’s also found in some processed foods and medications. Most people with celiac disease can’t eat gluten because it damages their small intestines.
Gluten isn’t an essential nutrient, so you don’t need it to stay healthy. Some people without this disease still can’t tolerate gluten. They may have gluten sensitivity or wheat allergy. Going gluten-free may help them feel better.
What Is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is a dangerous autoimmune illness that arises when a person consumes gluten. When people with this disease eat foods containing gluten, exposure to this protein triggers an immune response in the small intestine.
This immune response damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing nutrients properly.
This disease is a serious condition that can lead to malnutrition and other serious health problems.
If a mother thinks her child may have this disease, it is important to see a doctor or pediatrician for diagnoses such as blood tests and normal treatment.
Which Baby Foods Have Gluten in Them?
As your baby starts to eat solid foods, between the ages of four and seven months, you may be wondering if any of their foods contain gluten.
Gluten is a protein found in the wheat family, rye, barley and triticale. Oat cereals may also contain gluten.
The Celiac Disease Foundation list the following foods as having gluten in:
Wheat is commonly found in:
- breads
- baked goods
- soups
- pasta
- cereals
- sauces
- salad dressings
- roux
Barley is commonly found in:
- malt (malted barley flour, malted milk and milkshakes, malt extract, malt syrup, malt flavoring, malt vinegar)
- food coloring
- soups
- beer
- Brewer’s Yeast
Rye is commonly found in:
- rye bread, such as pumpernickel
- rye beer
- cereals
Introducing Your Baby To Wheat
Many doctors agree that when introducing your baby to solid foods such as wheat, it’s important to start with single-ingredient foods. This will help you to identify any potential allergies or sensitivities your toddlers may have. If you’re unsure about whether a food contains gluten, you can check the label.
If you think your baby may be sensitive to gluten, removing gluten from her diet is important. There are now several brands of gluten-free infants foods available. Your children should thrive on a gluten-free diet consisting of nutritious foods.
Introducing new foods to babies can be a fun and exciting experience for both the parent and child. One helpful way to approach this task is to keep a food journal. This way you can keep track of what they like and don’t like, as well as any possible allergies. It’s also a good idea to introduce certain foods at different times of the day to see how they affect your children.
For example, you can determine early on if your baby has gluten sensitivity or a food allergy. Doctors also recommend that you should take into account your baby’s allergic reaction and food sensitivities when determining which foods to add to her diet.
If you’re breastfeeding, remember that gluten passes through breast milk and reactions are a possibility. If you want your baby’s diet to be completely gluten-free, either you lay off eating gluten-rich foods such as wheat or feed your baby dairy or soy formula instead.
What Are the Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance in Babies?
There are a few key symptoms to look out for if you think your baby may be gluten intolerant.
First, issues with the digestive system are some of the most common signs. This can manifest as gas pain, diarrhea or increased bowel movements, and constipation. Additionally, a young child who is intolerant to gluten may also experience tummy troubles, fatigue, irritability, slow weight gain, and difficulty sleeping.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, it’s important to speak with a doctor or pediatrician to get a diagnosis. With the right treatment plan, your baby can live a happy and healthy life despite their intolerance.
Does Gluten Cause Diaper Rash?
It’s possible, but not necessarily because of an allergy. Some babies may be sensitive to the proteins found in wheat and rye. This sensitivity or allergy can cause diaper rashes.
What Does a Gluten Rash Look Like?
If you have a gluten allergy or intolerance, you may be familiar with the symptoms: bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, and brain fog. But did you know that one of the less common symptoms is a blistery rash?
This rash is known as dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), and it’s an autoimmune reaction to gluten.
The rash usually appears on the elbows, knees, buttocks, and lower back. It can be extremely itchy and blistery, and the blisters may be small or large. They may also be pitted or have a crusted surface.
How to Treat Diaper Rash Caused by Gluten
If you or your child has a gluten allergy, you may be wondering how to treat diaper rash caused by gluten. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to help ease the symptoms and get rid of the rash.
The first step is to remove gluten from your baby’s diet. This means avoiding foods that contain wheat and rye.
Once you’ve removed gluten from your diet, you can start to treat the rash. There are a few different options available.
Frequent diaper changes help clear up skin rashes. This will keep the skin clean and dry and will allow the rash to heal more quickly.
After removing wet diapers, you may also want to use a barrier cream or ointment to help protect the skin.
If the rash is severe or does not respond to home treatment, contact your doctor. Your baby may have a yeast infection or another condition that requires medical attention. A blood test might be ordered by a board-certified doctor or medical professional to determine if it’s a yeast rash or not.
Conclusion
It’s possible for gluten to cause diaper rash due to sensitivity and allergy. If this is the case, it’s important that the condition is diagnosed early on so that your child can recover and avoid any life-threatening situations.
Seek advice from your baby’s pediatrician or doctors. They should be able to determine the right course of action in terms of treatment.
