splenda or sucralose as a possible cause of hives, other skin problem

I'm posting this for the benefit of those who may be searching the
Usenet archives in the future. I don't know of any scientific evidence
for a connection between consumption of sucralose or Splenda sweetener
and allergic skin reactions. I found only a couple references on the
web to this phenomenon, but there were indeed a couple, so there may be
something to it. I am apparently not the only one who experienced this.

About a year and a half ago, I developed what appeared to be psoriasis
or eczema on my hand. I brought it to the attention of my doctor, who
prescribed a topical steroid when I explained that I got little or no
relief from various OTC preparations. Then, about 8 months ago, I began
developing hives on the upper torso, arms, and eyelids. Again, no
relief from OTC preparations, with one exception -- all symptoms,
including those on hand & eyelids, were reduced significantly with
loratidine (Claritin), which I quickly found had to be taken daily to
keep itching under control.

Concluding at that point that I might be dealing with an allergy, I
experimented with changing things in my environment and in my diet that
figured in the time frame I was dealing with when symptoms seem to have
begun -- laundry detergent, vitamins & supplements, soaps, lotions,
swimming pool, several new foods, etc. I finally remembered that I had
begun using Splenda a few weeks before the rash on my hands began. I
eliminated it from my diet about six weeks ago.

Within a few days, the rash on my eyelids was completely gone, and with
it went the severe itching. Over the next 4 weeks, the hand rash
gradually disappeared, and the skin on my hand returned to normal. The
hives on my upper body are nearly entirely gone at this point - the
last patch of hives is nearly all healed.

I don't know what to make of it--whether coincidence or what. I havent'
gotten around to the doctor again since Ive healed up, but I will
certainly explain what seems to have happened, the next time I'm in. I
hope this is useful for somebody else out there.

.

Relevant Pages

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