<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Hi All-- Thanks to everyone who responded to my question about IgE or IgM responses to foods. Approx. 30 of you replied, and all were very insightful! Makes me wish more doctors were subscribed to this list! What I've found from my research on IgE and IgM is this: IgE is the antibody measured to determine allergies, found in mast cells and mucus membranes. IgM, on the other hand, is the antibody produced when challenged by antigens and is present most often in delayed food reactions or responses to viral or bacteria infections. One can respond to any number of viruses or bacteria in the form of rashes. True allergies to foods in adults are rare, though intolerances or sensitivities may be more prevalent. (My allegist insisted that I do not have food allergies and that he knew of only two intolerances - lactose and gluten. He did, however, support the position that food additives, preservatives and chemicals are a source of rashes and reactions.) One member of the list suggested I do research on the diet developed and used by the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) in Australia to identify various chemical reactions to food additives and substances naturally occuring in foods. I did some research on this and on first impression, it appears to be a valid "elimination" diet, very different from those used in the U.S (my opinion, of course). For those interested in checking it out, the web address is: sdengate@ozemail..com.au And finally, before listing the replies I received, since my post, I stopped eating eggs or anything containing egg derivatives for 10 days, then scrambled some gf Egg Beaters for supper one night. Within twenty minutes, I experienced upper right quadrant pain that has been present since a year before my gallbladder surgery and since my gallbladder was removed. So, one food down...if I don't eat eggs, I don't have the pain. Still can't be certain about what's causing the itchy rashes, but I'll do more research via food elimination. _________________________________ The following is what you told me in response to my question about IgE & IgM: Many said they had fewer "allergic" symptoms after going gf _________________________________ Several suggested the ELISA, RAST, or Arrest test for food allergies/intolerances, though several of you mentioned false negatives such as being a biopsy proven celiac with no wheat reaction on the RAST test _________________________________ Natureopths were helpful in determining and treating allergies/intolerances _________________________________ Gallbladder and liver problems can produce itchy rashes _________________________________ Many used the food diary method of determining problems with foods - and indicated it was more reliable than any testing by physicians _________________________________ Many people also commented on how bad flu shots were - that they can contain poisons such as formaldehyde - those people avoided taking flu shots _________________________________ I hope some of this information helps those of you who wrote interested in my summary. Thanks again to everyone who replied! Ayn Gilliland Topeka, Kansas