Fever associated with allergy?

[Footprints]

I figured if anyone would know, you guys would :) My son had a TERRIBLE, very itchy rash that had reached its peak a little over a week ago, all over his back, buttocks, and thighs, elbows, etc. Pimply spots and some blisters that he'd scratched off and made bleed. A MESS. (One doc called it scabies,which it wasn't; a few days later, as it was healing, a small-town derm said it was probably just contact dermatitis; I think it looks just like dermatitis herpetiformis, a skin rash caused by gluten allergy)

Okay, so that was a little over a week ago that it was at its peak. A few days after that, he came home from school (he's 11) with a fever. Low, but a fever. I took him to the ped right away (my neighbor said they have meds for you if you catch the flu soon enough), who said it *wasn't* the flu, cuz the flu would come on fast with a high temp-blam (younger ds had had the flu the week before, and that was true-barfing, 103 temp, the whole bit). Ped shrugged her shoulders and said ds sounded like he had a cold. Ds had a temp of around 100 for the next three days, then seemed better for about two days, but now is back down with a temp of 100. Since it hasn't been anything dramatic but has been dragging on, I'm beginning to become concerned that it's not "just" the flu or something typical, but maybe a sign of something "outside the box" going on.

This fever started as his rash was clearing up; could they be related? He has an appt with an allergist on Wednesday who said he'd test for the gluten Abs others here recommended. Anyone think I should have ds see a doc before then? If it's "just" a fever, then there's no need to worry, but this will be the fourth day he's missed school.....and all over some non-specific but ongoing fever. Don't know what to think!

Thanks for your thoughts! :)

[mistofviolets]

Low grade persistent fever is usually a sign of an infection.

ANY other symptoms? I'd suspect sinus, or possibly strep (it can be quiet, believe it or not) The rash *is* gone, yes? (In other words, he didn't scratch and get something infected?)

Given the short time frame, I'd suspect either a virus or secondary infection...but, thats me, not a medical professional in any sense of the word. You can always leave a message for the dr stating the symptoms and that an appt with an allergist is coming up and see what they say. Hope he feels better soon!!!

[jcc]

My daughter had several episodes of fever, vomiting, and a mosquito bite like rash in the months before we realized her gluten sensitivity. Her mosquito bite like rash never blistered (although some seemed to have whitish heads). She's never had it since. I have suspected those recurring illnesses to be related to gluten sensitivity, but it is just speculation. She was getting this 'illness' about every three weeks for a couple of months. I can't remember how high the fever was... I'm thinking 101 or 102.

I even mention it here (in "my story" http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/thestory), although I don't mention the fever, I clearly remember she did have one. I took her to the doctor with it twice... and they were stumped, presumed viral. The thing that is weird is that it was recurring.... like 3-4 times. There really are so many viral things that can come with fever, rash, vomiting... but it was the fact she kept getting the same symptoms repeatedly... and never again after going gluten free... that really had me wondering if it wasn't gluten related.

I think I have found a few references about fever with celiac disease... I'll look for some tomorrow.

?????????

Cara

[Zonulin]

I hope you find some answers on Wednesday - I found this, which mentions celiac and "autoimmune" illnesses for a young boy (the second case in the article): http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/106/5/1139 But remember, the doctors still "don't know much about the immune system" (quote from our Mayo Clinic doctor). :rolleyes:

Poor little guy - hope he feels better soon...

Karen

[RathyKay]

She was getting this 'illness' about every three weeks for a couple of months. I can't remember how high the fever was... I'm thinking 101 or 102.
My niece got a summer cold from her sisters almost two years ago. Then she kept getting a fever every few weeks and missing a few days of school each time. The fever didn't seem to be connected with anything else; it just came and went. I'm not sure how long that went on before she was diagnosed with Crohn's. Six months? They've never tried any dietary intervention, preferring the pill method.

[jcc]

Found some people talking about fever/ gluten/ allergy here:

http://www.glutenfreeforum.com/index.php?showtopic=27570

[RosemaryThyme]

I have seasonal allergies esp. to tree pollen in the spring. They used to be much worse than they are now (as long as I take quercetin they are manageable). When they were at their horriblest I used to get low grade fevers, too. I don't see this as relating directly to GS, but thought it would be of interest.

[Tootsie]

Could this rash have been Chicken Pox? The typical chicken pox, begins with a small pimple with a clear head that gradually enlarges, breaks open, scabs over, dries and falls off. New blisters appear for about 4-5 days, and go through this cycle before eventually all are scabbed and dry. Children usually do not feel bad after the period of breaking out, is over. However, complications can and do occur, which may account for the fever.

Most children alive now, have been vaccinated against chicken pox, at least in the USA. However, vaccines are not universally effective, but do protect a majority of the population. Yes, I am old enough to remember chicken pox, both having it myself and also my 4 children.

However, present day doctors may never have seen a case. Cheerio.

[jcc]

I just saw this study on PubMed and remembered this thread. Unfortunately there is no abstract, but the title probably says it.

Fever and high C-reactive protein level as the sole manifestation of allergy to cow milk (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17113493&itool=pubmed_DocSum). PMID: 17113493 Nov-Dec 2006

[BeanTree]

This is purely anecdotal but...my 6 yr olds standard response to gluten poisoning is that she starts to feel bad. Gets a headache and a low grade fever. The headache increases in intensity over the course of a few hours. About the time that she is crying inconsolably, she starts projectile vommiting. It usually takes about 15 mins to get it all out. The fever spikes, she sleeps for about 3 hours(while I make cabbage soup in bone broth). When she wakes up, the fever and headache are gone and she is ravenous. The color returns to her face as well.

This happens every single time. Which thankfully has not been often since we have gone gluten free. It took a year or so of being gluten free for this to be the response. At first it was all gastro. problems.