January 3, 2005
SPLENDA ALLERGY
A recent 'rash' of news articles--with titles like Splenda's Sweet Success Means Tight Supply and Dieters May Face Splenda Shortage--have caught my eye as of late. You see, back in March of 2003 I wrote about how I suspected that the artificial sweetener Splenda was directly responsible for a serious rash that developed on my face (specifically, my left eye was swollen shut, and my bottom lip was swollen to elephantiasis proportions, after consuming beverages which contained Splenda). Click here for the full post from March 26, 2003. My own self-test the following weekend yielded that unofficially, Splenda was the culprit. Now, nearly two years later, Splenda's in such high demand because of its no-calorie attributes, that it's manufacturer, Tate & Lyle, can't keep up with the demand.
They say everyone's allergic to something, so I'm not here to suggest that Splenda's bad for everyone; but since I first posted a blog entry about my own experiences with the stuff, the number one reason for people visiting my blog via Google.com has been because of one particular keyword search string... "Splenda Allergy". On average, every month, 200 people visit this site because of that particular post. (Stands to reason...go out to Google.com, search for Splenda Allergy, and Belicove.com is the number one resulting site. Click here to see for yourself.)
I now avoid Splenda at all costs, and so too it seems do a lot of other people. Here's a sampling from the comments left by some of the people who have visited my website because of their search for information about Splenda-related allergic reactions.
From Brandon L. on January 1, 2005:
Add my name to the list... I used Splenda for only two weeks when the itching started. Two trips to the hospital, one suspecting the shortness of breath some kind of heart attack, the other due to itching, suspected tension. Stopped using Splenda and all the symptoms vanished in a few days. Could not be sure it was because I'd stopped using Splenda so I put two packs into a cup of coffee. Before the cup was empty, the itching returned with a fury that numbed the fingers as did the shortness of breath and chest pains. Goodbye Splenda...forever! Am feeling just fine without it. Thought I had to let you all know.
From Bari on November 30, 2004:
I did a search on "Splenda Allergy" today after racking my brain to figure out why I am covered in hives and itching to death and imagine my surprise to find this. I have never been allergic to anything, ever. But I cooked with Splenda this Thanksgiving in the cranberries & the pumpkin pie and have been drinking Pepsi Edge daily since Thanksgiving. One day after Tday is when the problem started. I thought I was silly to suspect Splenda because I thought it was just a harmless "sugar derivative" but now it seems it is the only explanation because it is the only thing new in my life. I'm throwing away my Pepsi Edge.
From Steve on December 28, 2004:
I am really glad to have found this topic. I too started drinking Pepsi Edge as I am diabetic and don't really care for the taste of diet sodas. I liked the idea of drinking a "full flavor" soda and being able to keep my sugars under control. A few days after I started drinking Pepsi Edge, I broke out with a severe rash. It is on my arms from shoulder to fingertips, legs from above the knees to the tops of my feet and on my stomach as well. I am using a cream for diabetics to help with the itching and taking Benadryl as well. I am really upset that there has been no advisory that I am aware of from Splenda or Pepsi that people are experiencing these rashes. As stated above, I am diabetic and have to really be careful where my legs and feet are concerned when it comes to skin problems. I have awakened in the morning with sores opened on my legs which I am sure is from scratching the itch during my sleep. I am trying to heal them as I would hate to think that I lost a leg due to Splenda or Pepsi. Thanks to all of you for sharing your similar problems as I was going nuts trying to figure out what was causing the rash all of the sudden.
Like I said, everyone's probably allergic to something, and that people are having reactions to Splenda shouldn't necessarily surprise anyone. However, that having been said, if you suspect that Splenda may be causing you problems, read Dr. Joseph Mercola's The Potential Dangers of Sucralose available for free by clicking here. FYI... it's easy reading!
Posted by Mikal at January 3, 2005 7:12 AM
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Mikal, that is such a buzz kill. I love Splenda and don't have any reactions to it. I am sorry that you do. I will read the article later, but it bums me that I finally find something I like that isn't sugar and it's bad, too. My son is allergic to things of shell fish nature and he loves crab meat. What are you using then?
Update: It has been 48 hrs since I gave-up Splenda (so I thought) I was doing better until yesterday afternoon when lo and behold, I had to make a trip to the store for more Benadryl as the rash/hives retuned full-force. This was so perplexing to me and didn't make the connection... until this morning when I went to add my favorite flavored creamer (Coffee Mate, reduced calorie, hazelnut) to my coffee. There it was, right in the ingredients ... sucralose. Today, I'm feeling much better as far as the joint problem. The stiffness and popping in my hips is all but gone. Still experiencing some hives... not alot. Guess this will take some time to work it's way out of my system. Gale beth
Yeap rash on neck, and now have had tiny prickly feeling rash that itches intensely all over my body. I thought it was poison ivy, but its not acting like poison ivy. I was pretty sure the bumps on my neck were from a toxin: splenda, and now that you others have mentioned it I'm giving up my splenda and turning to just creamer in my coffee as hard as that is, but I will not poison my body with such a terrible toxin that hasen't even been proven. I knew it was too good to be true. I've been using it now for about 3 months. I know when I had to give up sugar completely I also gave up coffee, therefore didn't need to sweaten anything. I am reactive-hypoglycemic so must cut out sugar as well, because it makes me swell and my blood sugar go up. I remembered the two months off sugar, coffee, no splenda the bumps on my neck disappeared. I'm giving up the splenda first and if I have to the coffee also, but thats another hurdle. I thank everyone whose made a comment here. We can put this together even if the FDA dosen't "get it" before we do. I'm grateful to have found this site. Thanks to the lady who is a diabetic who said Splenda is in many products, I'll look out for that. Michelle
Thank you so much for posting this site. I'm diabetic and control it completely with diet so am very strict. Splenda is the absolute only new thing in my diet. My symptoms have been coming gradually. Took me quite a while to realize it was something other than the diabetes. I stayed up last night way into the morning wondering whether I should wake my husband or not . . . thinking an emergency trip to the hospital was in order. I'm still having a lot of symptoms. Terrible rash, sick stomach, numb arms, chest pains, shortness of breath, terrible terrible nightmares . . . I actually thought I might be getting demenita! Then I thought about the Splenda and found your web site. My goodness! I will never touch the stuff again! So glad to know what caused this.
sandy
I believe I may be allergic to something that has been making me itch in the worst possible area for about 7 months. It feels like an infection that won't go away. I haven't narrowed it down yet, but my husband believes Splenda is a strong possibility. Has anyone else had itching in "restricted areas"? By that I mean in only one place rather than all over?
i also think i am having a splenda allergy problem. the last few times i have been out to eat ihave been coming home with itchy nose, eyes, headaches, hives, etc. the only thing i have done when i go out to eat i can connect it to is ordering unsweet tea and adding splenda to it. i am going to give it a few days and let it clear out and then try it at home....i almost thought tonight i would need an epi-pen...i drank benadryl and it has improved--but still there??? this is so weird!!!!! my son has food allergies adn now i am beginning to think i have one to this splenda--which i hate because i have liked it?!?!? scary! beth in tn
I can't believe this. I have been itching and fighting oral fever blisters for several months. The doctor has had to prescribe Valtrex for the blisters it's gotten so bad. I am 49 and never had this problem before. Couldn't figure out what it could be until my husband said Splenda in my iced tea was the only change in my life. I am stopping Splenda today and will let you know the results.
Ate some homemade brownies from a concession stand at a basketball game - the next 3 days, thought I was having a heart attack, that I had acid reflux, hives, rashes. Thank you for this blog - answered my questions. I will also watch out for sucralose now - I definitely know that I can't have nutrasweet - so back to good old regular sugar. Thanks for the blog.
I started using Splenda and drinking diet drinks about a year ago and I noticed my eyes were becoming increasingly irritated and red. After a few months of eye pain and unsuccessful eye drops, I was diagnosed with allergic conjunctivitus. I have ruled out EVERYTHING else that causes this problem, and I realized that my eye problems started right around the time I started using sucralose products. Tommorrow I am going to stop using ANY sweeteners, and I have a feeling that my eyes and also chest pains will stop. If anyone has experienced eye problems, please let me know..I am very curious. Catherine
My neighbor sent me this sight via e-mail because she knew that my daughter had broken out w an extensive complete body rash includ. face.. She came downstairs and showed me a few bumps on her arm and a rash under her armpits and the creases of her elbows. Within an hour of doing her homework she had rashes over her torso front and back her arms and tops of her legs. It spread to her face by A.m. with swelling in hands and feet.She had thrown up mucous during the night and also while I was gone during the next day. We would have taken her to the hospital had we known she vomited but she did not think it was significant so she did not tell us.
We suspected the perfume in the soap she used since the only other time she broke out with a rash all over was when she was 6 and we narrowed it down to the perfume in laundry detergents (particularly Tide since I used it exclusively at that time). We now use unscented version of detergents like Arm and Hammer and All. We also used Zyrtec to treat the rash and found it worked better than benedryl for her. We had to use the zyrtec for several months before her body calmed down. She was so hypersensitized that even rubbing up against material or her bedding made her break out. We felt very lucky that we avoided the prednisone.
Anyway, I was fairly convinced that it must be the body wash but this time rinsing her off and avoiding the soap as well as using the zyrtec seemed to give her only slight relief. Interestingly my neighbor sends me this blog site on Monday night. I didn't give it much consideration at first until I remembered that my daughter had spent her own money at the grocery store to buy a bag of diet candy that was supposed to taste like Baskin-Robbins icecream. She is worried about cavities because she has braces (and a few cavities already) and not her weight. Anyway this was Sat afternoon. She ate a few- no apparent problems. Sunday night, after her shower, she presnted with the initial rash that we are aware of. She was given zyrtec and flushed with as much water and boring plain food as possible on Monday. Still had rash,but better. Monday night I get blog And I take the candy away as safety precaution still not sure. She tells me that she hasn't eaten any since Sat so it can't be candy. Well I just wanted to be safe because she was pretty miserable. Another dose of zrtec P.M. and Tues day morning no hives period. Still some facial swelling but just keep an eye on her. Tuesday night I talk again about the importance of avoiding this splenda because it may be in things at school and not to eat food from other kids etc.... During conversation, she admits that she had a few more peices on Monday while I was gone. I said why didn't you just tell me because I had not yet taken it away-she wasn't in trouble. She just had forgotten. That rather explains why the zyrtec didn't work initially. She was still exposing herself to what she was allergic to.
My husband and I each had a piece of the candy with sucralose- no problem. My other daughter ate an entire bag in 1 day of some kind of chewy nips "something or other" no problem.
Not everyone has problems with it, but if you have a bad case of hives or rash and it can be traced to the 1st 2nd or even 3rd time you had sucralose-consider doing with out for awhile flush out with water and talk to a dr about an antihistimine that is safe for you.
Interestingly, this was to our best knowledge the 2nd or 3rd time my daughter had the sucralose and the most she had consumed at one time.
She is also fighting a cold virus right now which may have sent her immune system into hyperdrive more easily. The zyrtec and avoiding the sucralose got rid of the hives but she still has the cold.
WE are thankful to our neighbor and to this blog site.
I hope this helps another parent out there.
Our first case of hives and swelling was pretty scary, not to mention costly and nerve racking..........
Hello; I recently went on a low cal diet to lose some weight. I have a history of heart problems and my cardiologist has started complaining about my eating habits. I bought a bag of splenda to put on my cereal and in my coffee. I also purchased some diet flavored 7UP Plus which contains the same sweetner. The last few weeks I have noticed an increase in itching which I attributed to a new soap I was using. I stopped using the soap but the itching continued and developed into a rash on my neck and face. the only different thing (besides the soap) is the Splenda which is why I typed Splenda allergy into Google. I am so glad I did. I shall now inform my doctors of what I have found here. Thank you so much.
Add me to the list of rash sufferers who are grateful for this site! A year ago I began low carb dieting, using Splenda products, and began to have a run of seemingly unrelated new health problems. I had chest pains and shortness of breath, and months later - numbness and tingling in my left arm, face and tongue. A cardiac workup and an MRI showed nothing. But I did not suspect Splenda until I got "the rash" everyone else mentioned and began to do some research on the net. I hope others aren't as slow as I am to make the connection and do this search. It has been frustrating, discouraging and expensive to find this out. I am writing this still covered with a red itchy rash, but grateful I now know why!!
For 3 months I battled a severe skin rash...Saw an allergist and a dermatologist, costing upward of $1000. in visits and medications. The allergist said it was dust mites, the dermatologist said it was an allergy or might be Lupus. Both doctors recommended a battery of medications including Benadryl capsules, Benadryl topical rash gel, several topical steroids and even a medication called Aderax (sp?) which I understand is an anti-anxiety drug because I was so itchy at night, I wasn't able to sleep. Well, the Aderax mellowed me out to say the least but did nothing for the itching. I mapped out my meals daily and stopped everything I could think of that could have been causing the rash. Believing that it might be Aleve which I had been taking once a day for a bad back, I went without it and all other like meds such as Aspirin and Advyl as well. To no avail, the rash kept on coming. I'd have a day or two where the symptoms would let up but then it would come back even worse. At one point I woke up with one eye swelled shut and my bottom lip so swelled than I couldn't speak. Every day I awoke with the rash covering almost my entire body. It was everywhere and seemed to get worse at night. I feared going to sleep at night because I was affraid to see what I was going to look like in the morning. Let alone fearing that I would not wake up at all. I was told that the severe facial swelling meant that whatever it was was becoming even more toxic in my body and I was reacting even more severely. At one point I had hives on my fingers that swelled so badly I couldn't get my wedding rings off and was affraid I'd have to go to the hospital to have them cut off. I became depressed with the notion that the "professionals" had no clue what was causing it and I began believing that I had Lupus. Then one night I was making myself a cup of tea (with Splenda of course) while on the internet, I typed into Google "Splenda Allergy". It was the one ingredient in my diet I hadn't stopped using (I'm a decaf coffee and tea fanatic) because everything I had heard about Splenda was that it was a sugar derivative and totally natural. I discounted the idea that it might be the cause of my hives. Meanwhile, I was beginning to develop other symptoms. My tongue began to crack and swell, my eyesight worsened and I was beginning to have upper resperatory problems. I threw the Splenda away and decided to try life without it. I was determined to find my cure. Well, 2 weeks went by. Every day, I had a few less hives. Then suddenly, they were back. My depression set in again and one day I sat in my office and just cried. I thought it was the Splenda! Well, I had been snacking mid-day on 94% Fat Free Kettle Corn at the office for 2 days. I hadn't noticed the label. It contained Sucralose!!! I immediately stopped and went to a brand of popcorn that didn't have any artificial sweeteners. A week later, the swelling and the tongue sores started healing. And finally after several weeks, I am feeling almost normal. I have never experienced anything like this before in my life. Strangely, I had stopped using Equal because I had heard horrific things about what it can do. I had been experiencing memory loss and switched to Splenda hoping it was safe. It seemed to be, for 6 months and then the hives... All I can say is, thanks to this webite and my dogged desire to find a cure, I am well.
I have been using Splenda for about 4 months. But started trying new bars and cereals for convenience and taste. Also ice cream bars and candy for sweets. So the increase in splenda products went from just one per day to about five or six within the last two months. The itching started on the chest about Jan. 18 of this year. Then I went to the dermotologist and she said it was contact dermatitius and reccommended using some hydrocortisone cream. It worked for a bit. But then the rash moved to the back and shoulders.
Now this week it is all over the torso including the stomach and arms.There are no bumps or sores, just severe itching mostly in the morning and at night. I've been on the Internet for the past week trying to figure out what type of reaction this was... allergic, nervous, internal problems like liver or kidney related, iron deficiency, hyperthyroidism, worm infestations etc... I thought I was truly sick with some type of cancer yet I've been healthy all my life and have no allergies whatsoever. I workout quite extensively every week and have never had a problem. Then I thought that it had to be some sort of maybe poisoning or catalyst of something I was ingesting that may trigger these types of illnesses. I've only used Splenda because I thought it would be a better alternative to sugar in terms of my body's reaction to elvated blood sugars. Wrong!
Through this website I've now deduced that Splenda has caused these things to happen in my body. The first real reaction that I had that made me look for other possibilties was the huge bruises I have on my hips from doing these situps I do on my sides. I rarely bruise like that. So I immediately thought that it had to be some sort of iron deficiency anemia. I researched it online and tried to find out what causes it and the symptoms. Although itching was not the primary reaction it did tell me things that could inhibit iron absorption. From there there were a list of antagonists. It was from here I dedcided that the reason for this rash was from some vitamin or digested food causing deficiencies.
This was my list of deductions causing itching:
- iron deficiency
- temperature chages
- mercury?
- chronic renal failure
- scabies
- hypo or hyperthyroidism
- polyphenals from green tea
- worm infestations
- Atkins diet?
- allergy to wheat
- Splenda??
That was it!!!
From this website I have gotten validation and relief for my stirfe for the last two months. I am writing such an extensive letter because I want to give relief to anyone who is going through what I just did!
I will keep you posted on my progress as this will be the first day off all splends products.
Aloha!
I am hoping that this is what is wrong with me. I have been trying to lose weight doing south Beach, and to combat my sweet tooth, I have increased my Splenda consumption. I noticed my rash about 1 1/2 months ago. Mine is on my legs, arms, hands and stomach. I went to the doctor it was so intense, and without making a microscopic check or sending me to a dermatologist, he told me I had SCABIES! ACK!!! A 33 mother of two young toddlers, I had scabies!!!! ICK!!! I did the treatment, and nothing. I waited the two weeks, and I am still itchy. I am going to stop Splenda cold turkey tomorrow and see if this is the answer. I can't stand this anymore. It keeps me up at night and is making me really crabby!!!! Thanks for posting info on this everyone...it makes me feel better that I am not alone. Doctors should know about this and not just assume you have hives or SCABIES in my case. Whatever!!!
I have been itching for a month and of course I thought it must be the new lotion I had been using for more than a month before I broke out in this horrible rash. It is miserable! I just thoughtit must be from a new lotion I had been using for a month prior to the rash,l aundry detergent, or dry cleaning my clothes. I started to realize I had been using Splenda in my coffee and tea about the same time that the rash started. I am convinced now that I am allergic to Splenda. I will be very careful not to buy any products containing Splenda!
I have been having eye spasms or "ticks" for 3 or 4 months. The only thing I can think of as far as a cause is Splenda. Anyone else experienced this?
My husband was having severe hives, and one time went into anaphylactic shock. He was immediately sent to an allergist which said he might be alergic to Splenda. He stopped using Splenda 3 weeks ago and has not had another eppisode. He was also having problems urinating and bouts of anxiety. We are convinced that all of this was caused by an alergic reaction to Splenda. Now I have to read every label closely because Splenda is now being used in everything. My husband now carries an epi pin with him everywhere he goes.
I believe my daughter (4 y.o.), who has multiple food allergies, is now also allergic to Splenda. She tried 2 sips of Fruit 2 O and complained of stomach pain within an hour. Later that evening, she had terrible diarrhea. I started giving her Pedialyte, to be certain she would not get dehydrated. She continued to be sick, so I assumed she had some sort of virus. More Pedialyte in the morning, then OMG! She was SO sick; writhing in pain. She was incoherant, grunting and holding her breath. Her nose turned blue! Her face was turning red from broken capillaries. She broke out in a sweat. I had an EpiPen on hand, since she is deathly allergic to some foods, but I honestly didn't know if she was having an allergic reaction. I gave her antihistamines (knowing it couldn't hurt) and called the doctor. Guess what's in Pedialyte? SUCRALOSE! I checked on line to confirm that SUCRALOSE is Splenda.
At this point, the pediatrician acknowleges that many children have stomach upset problems from artificial sweeteners, but doesn't consider it a true allergy. We are scheduled to visit our allergist soon, for an annual check up, and I plan to inquire about testing for Sucralose or Splenda allergy. We will *never* have the stuff in the house again. It was truly frightening to see my daughter in such a state.
BTW, within hours of stopping the Pedialyte, and switching to chicken soup and water, my daughter made a full recovery. She had a solid b.m. and slept through the night. Her "illness" began within an hour of 2 sips of Fruit 2 O and ended within 8 hours of discontinuing the Pedialyte. She had, in the meantime, endured a rectal exam, a stool culture for blood and bacteria, and an abdominal exam...my poor baby. I feel terrible that I let her try that stuff.
I posted a letter on January 31 about the terrible symptoms I was experiencing from Splenda. Now, I would like all of you to know that I am completely symptom free and have been since deleting Splenda from my diet. I'm very careful about reading the labels!
I have been using Stevia in tea or coffee and have had no problems at all. BUT I am also avoiding other processed sugars.
Just thought this might help someone.
sandy
I started using Splenda a year ago (1 bag every day). A couple of months ago I started having eye pains (in both eyes alternating or sometimes in both eyes in the same time), dizziness and feeling depressed. It took me many weeks to realize that Splenda might be the problem. My eye pain was variable: sometimes needle-like, other times like a pressure in the back of the eye- but extremely disturbing. I was very worried, as I never experienced something like that. I stopped Splenda 2 days ago and virtually I had almost no eye pain since yesterday but I am still dizzy. I read that it may take a while to clear it out of the body. I also started having some frontal headaches and I had extremely rare headaches in my life.
I cannot believe I was poisoning myself with Splenda while believing I was doing something right for my health. When I read sucralose on the label, I was actually thinking about sucrose, which is naturally- and I thought it was ok. I do not think companies should be allowed to name artificial products almost identical with the natural ones. Their purpose is of course, to mislead us.
On another note, do you know what Canola oil is? It seems that almost everybody I asked does not know the ěvegetableî of origin. I wonder why? Canola is an invented name; Canadian oil (oil low acid). If the manufacturers had written rape seed oil, I wonder how many people would have bought it. It is very toxic. You may find it even on the labels of so called ěhealthyî margarines like Smart Balance. There is written ě canola seed oilî. If canola oil is a big lie, then the term ěcanola seedî is pure nonsense.
"CANOLA OIL: Deadly for the Human Body! Beware of Canola Oil, Canola Oil is an Industrial Oil, Not Fit For Human Consumption
Canola oil from the rape seed, referred to as the Canadian oil because Canada is mainly responsible for it being marketed in the USA The Canadian government and industry paid our Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA). $50 million dollars to have canola oil placed on the (GRAS) List "Generally Recognized As Safe". Thus a new industry was created. Laws were enacted affecting international trade, commerce, and traditional diets. Studies with lab. animals were disastrous. Rats developed fatty degeneration of heart, kidney, adrenals, and thyroid gland. When canola oil was withdrawn from their diets, the deposits dissolved but scar tissue remained on all vital organs. No studies on humans were made before money was spent to promote Canola oil in the USA.
Refined canola oil, typically found in conventional food stores, is usually exposed to high temperatures, deodorizing and bleaching. Its health-giving constituents are processed away, and its omega-3s converted into the undesirable trans form. Even "lightly refined" and "expeller pressed oils can be exposed to deodorizing, which may raise the oil temperature to a sizzling 450?ń 470?F. "
For the rest of the article please follow the link bellow.
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/soy.htm#canola
For more details please follow the link bellow.
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/soy.htm#canola
I've been using Splenda for quite awhile, probably at least a year. I've gradually increased it in my diet. Both Sunday and Monday after eating some cereal with Splenda sprinkled on top, my throat felt like it was going to close. I used my inhalers and took a benedryl and felt better. My eyes have been twitching for months. Many times my eyes have been burning. I figured it was other allergies or lack of sleep. My skin is still itchy.
Here's the real scary thing! My mom started using products with sucralose (Splenda) about a year ago. She went for a mammogram a couple months ago. She was sent back for a second one and an ultrasound. Yesterday she had a biopsy. We won't know the results of that for about 10 days. I went for a mammogram last Friday. My doctor called on Monday to say they want to do a biopsy on me!
There is no family history of breast cancer. I was wracking my brain, trying to figure out if it was coincidence that we both came up with problems at the same time. The use of Splenda is the only common thing I can think of. I'll let you know when I find out more and if the doctors think their is a link.
Jean
Well, my two cents worth on this. My husband is diabetic, and generally avoids any commercial products by cooking everything from scratch. However, as a treat, he will occasionally break down and get something that has been made with artificial sugar. Generally speaking, he has no problems with any of the artifical sugars. In the past three months, he has purchased a package of cookies, container of ice cream, and a pumpkin pie. All of them gave him stomach aches. We finally tracked it down to the Splenda, which is now in virtually all sugar-free foods. I wrote a note to the Splenda people, mentioning that my husband has very intense stomach pains from their product. They graciously sent me a letter which stated that their product had NO KNOWN SIDE-EFFECTS, and thus could not possibly be the source of the problem, and that my husband may wish to consult with his physician about this condition which was not related to Splenda.
As a side-note, my husband will generally not ever complain about pain or discomfort, so for him to even mention it means that he was severely effected by this.
I, too am happy to have found this blog. I broke out in a horrid rash last night and after 48 hours I'm still itchy.
The only thing I've changed, or tried, is Diet Coke with SPLENDA. This must be the source of the irritation.
I wish someone out there would start a class-action lawsuit against the maker....this stuff could kill someone.
Ha, and they took away my Pfen-fen!
jmho
m
This is to let you know that I also have had severe reactions from using Splenda, or other food items using sucralose as the sweetener. I had started using Splenda to sweeten my tea every day. I had also purchased some other food items that replaced sugar with Splenda or sucralose. The pain most often occurred when the Splenda/sucralose food item or beverage was consumed on an empty stomach, but I would always have a reaction regardless. My reaction was in the form of severe stomach pain - right at the top and center of my stomach. This pain was at times so severe that I could not walk or stand up, and would last anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. I went to my physician and had several tests run, but nothing showed up. I finally decided to weed out things from my diet, and as soon as I stopped using Splenda - the pain stopped. I will never use or buy products sweetened with Splenda or sucralose again.
I had a major breakout of hives after drinking Diet Code with Splenda last night! I am dieting so I was bought a Diet Coke with Splenda on Wednesday by a co worker because the store we use use out of Diet Cherry Coke. It tasted good enough and nothing happened - or so I thought! Now that I think of it I developed a bad headaches and itchy eyes about 30 minutes later but since I was working on a deadline I atttibuted it to STRESS! I had the next day off so I stopped by a convenience store on the way home and purchased a Diet Coke with Lime and a Diet Coke with SPLENDA for the next day so I wouldn't have to go out again to the store. I had my dinner last night with my 6 yr old daughter and we shared "half" a Diet Coke with SPLENDA and put the other half back in the fridge. After she came out of the bath at around 9pm she was complaining of itching on her legs and torso which produced small hive like welts. I figured it must be the body wash - since it's new but we had used it for several days without incident so I scratched that off as a culprit - no pun intended. I treated her with Eucerin Anti Itch Spray and she went to sleep without further compliants. I then noticed that I was a little itchy on my upper arms and armpits but nothing major. I went to sleep and was awakened at 3am by unbearable itching on my torso, neck, upper arms, armpits, crooks of my elbows and knees, tops of my feet and crease of my thighs! I immediately took a Benadryl with lots of H20 and was able to get back to sleep. WELL this morning it was worse than ever and here I am at work itching to death - there are red-purplish welts all over my body and I have even had to remove my bra and watch since the itching is sooooo intense. I am now trying an anti-itch cream and hoping to find a little relief. I am very suprised that no one has brought this up on the news nor the papers. This is crazy and the people at SPLENDA need to be held accountable for so many people they have made suffer - because as I see there are MANY!!! Everyone keep writing in so there is record of your complaints and something can be done about it. Thanks, G
I came across this blog by accident but am extremely glad it happened. I'm diabetic and am always looking for solutions to my sweet tooth. Most candies with "sugar alchohols" give me diarrhea and are intolorable. about 4 months ago, I discovered diet Big Red soda which is sweetened with Splenda and I would pick one up every so often because they were good. No real problem. My wife noticed I liked them and started picking up 12-packs at Walmart and also started picking up Diet Rite and other RC products that use Splenda. I started drinking 2+ per day. Soon, the itching began. I'm sensitive to allergies in the spring, so I shrugged it off, but the itch became a rash around my upper arms, armpits, torso, legs, tops of feet, etc. Little clusters of red itchy bumpy areas. It was driving me crazy. I went to the Doctor. He checked for Scabies (yikes!) and prescribed an antihisthamine and dermatology ointment. The ointment helped where it was applied, but the rash continued to pop up in new areas. I was freaking out. However, my pursuit of non-harmful sweets continued. I Google'd Splenda last Thursday in search of other good products. Pretty high up in the search rankings, and among the pro-splenda sites, was this site and a couple of others discussing the possible side effects of Splenda! I was floored when I saw my exact experience being relayed by others. The internet comes through again!
So, I abstained from everything with Sucrolose for the past 6 days. The itching has stopped. No new rash or bumps have developed. The old bumps are healing up. I'm convinced it would have taken me many months, if ever, to reach the conclusion that the Splenda was causing my problem. If the makers of Splenda continue to dispute any side-effects, they are lying. Thanks. Jon
I too have recently had a problem with Splenda. Last week I drank a diet coke with Splenda and had an ER visit that night. My tongue swelled and i had itching all over. At the time I was not aware that the coke had caused my reaction until I had a Dasani water with Splenda and had the same type of reaction. Swelling and itchy tongue. I am still a bit swollen, but it is going away. I will definitly stay away from Spelnda now. It should have a warning label!
I had a 12oz. fruitice drink on 6/23/05. Since I awoke on the next morning O have had severe pain in almost all my joints - ankles, wrists, and knees. To be perfectly healthy one day and unable to bend my knees onto the ground on the next day. The only thing I can attribute it to is the splenda. It was so sudden and uncomfortable it has to be an allergic reaction of sorts. However all the reactions that I read about were either dermatological or respiratory. If anyone has had anything joint related I would appreciate some contact. Thanks for your contributions! Validation is everything when you deal with huge companies and big brother (FDA, etc.)
I've been home from the Emergency Room for seven hours now after going into anaphylactic shock 10 minutes after eating a Sugar Free Fudgsicle -- sweetened with Splenda.
Symptoms: Itching hands and feet, swollen hands, feet and lips, feeling agitated and frantic, swollen tongue, swollen roof of my mouth and gums, chest pain, racing heart, hives, difficulty breathing, etc. Luckily I have a friend who has allergy problems and knew what was happening, so we called 911 immediately. Some way to spend the wee hours of Saturday morning.
Just recently started buying these Sugar-Free Fudgsicles. Will go back to the No sugar Added variety if there's no sucralose involved. Also had a Pepsi One yesterday, another sucralose food.
Have you checked out the allergy page on the Splenda website? They point to the finger at everyone but themselves.
http://www.splenda.com/vcrc/article.jhtml?id=vcrc/articles/symptoms/adult/al_allergies.inc
Splenda got me too. I bought some "lite" yougurt yesterday without reading the ingredients. When I tried one today it had that horrible artifical sweetener taste to it. I didn't worry, thinking I'd just eat the 5 yogurts I bought and be done with it. Forty minutes later I noticed my perception was off, nothing specific, just not right, An hour later, I was dizzy, nauseaus, dry heaving, and had a horrible rash all around my neck. I have never had an allergic reaction to anything, ever! I consumed Splenda once and became horribly ill. I still feel weak and have the nastiest taste in my mouth and it's been seven hours. This stuff is terrible and should be illegal.
I am so thankful that I came across this page. Let me share my story with you in hopes that it will save someone else the pain I went through. My rash started about the same time I had bought a box of Splenda to use in making Kool-Aid. I had bumps on my arm and what looked like a small ringworm on my chest. I never made the connection to Splenda, but instead treated the "ringworm" with an OTC cream for a week and it went away. About 10 days after getting the Splenda (it cost almost $7 for 200 packets!) and using it to make Kool-aid by the cup for myself (33 year old school teacher home for the summer), I went on a trip to Hot Springs for a school training event that lasted a week. Well, I had consumed a lot of Splenda Kook-Aid the day before and then picked up a Diet Coke with Lime and Splenda that Sunday when I left. That night, I had terrible diarrhea that lasted through Wednesday. I have never in my life had to take more than one dose of Immodium, and here I was taking it up to the maximum amount allowed by the directions! It was just something you ate, everyone told me. So, I didn't worry too much since I had no othe symptoms. Then, on Tuesday night, the rash started. At first I thought it was just heat rash under my breasts, but it soon moved to my entire chest area. I quit taking the Immodiom and started taking Benadryl for the rash. It worked somewhat, but the rash spread to my hips, behind and legs. By the time the session was over, I drove straight home, alomst 2 hours, and went to bed. I used cortisone cream, benadryl cream, and thought that I had hives. My chest looked like it had huge bruises all over them, and then my arms started getting a rash. The ones on my arms were prickly ones, much like scabies, and like the original one that I had thought was ringworm. Monday I got in to see my doctor who told me it was DEFINATELY something I had ingested. I asked him if it could have been the Immodium, and he said no, and that the diarrhea and rash were unrelated. He gave me a cortisone shot and some antihistimines that just put me to sleep and told me it should be all cleared up by the next day. Well, it wasn't, but it was certainly doing better. I put moisturizer on the rash, which helped alleviate some of the itching when I am awake. As I kept thinking what in the world had done this to me, I thought, hmmm...could it be Splenda? I don't have food allergies, but I do have allergies to Penicillin. Well, I logged on, and her your site is! OMG! I couldn't believe it. I haven't had any splenda since Hot Springs, and have no new rashes or symptoms. I am very frightened that Splenda is being put into everything out there. Now, I am going to have to read every food label. Interestingly enough, when I called my parents, my dad said that he had had a reaction to diet coke recently where he had broken out in huge welts. He said it had Splenda in it, but he didn't connect the 2 either. Needless to say, we are calling all of our relatives to let them know just in case. I hope this post helps anyone out there. My next step is to inform my doctor so that they can be on the lookout for similiar reactions in other patients. Oh, for the itching, Noxema does wonders to help the symptoms.
Ya, I was drinking that 7-up with Splenda in it. Every single day. I started too get really depressed and I didnt know why. Till I looked at all of Splenda's bad side affects. It not a safe product. It really needs a warning label. Hell, they need too take it off the market.
Now I don't feel crazy anymore. My symptoms have been severe eye pain/strain and swelling, migraines and general mental and visual fogginess and fatigue. In the last month, I have been to my PC doctor, my eye doctor, consulted a neurologist, etc. In the last year, I have been a researh case for my gastroenterologist due to severe diarrhea and stomach pain, for which he could find no cause. After doing research for the past couple of days on my own, I have decided to stop the splenda. This is the first day I have not had a migraine or eye swelling. I'm still a bit tired, but after reading other stories, I hope this will go away within a couple of days. I cannot believe there are not more warnings.
I can't believe I found this web site. I have been going to the doctors for 2months trying to figure out what was wrong. Everytime a started chewing my gum I was unable to breath. My lungs felt like they were so constricted and my nose was stuffy. They kept saying I had a cold. Then just now I started drinking welch's low cal drink and my throat started scratching and I started getting the tightness in my chest. I right away looked at the label and it contained splenda. Also, so did my gum. So I started searching the internet to see if I was crazy.
I could not believe how many people were also alergic. I thank they should put a warning just like msg. I would have never guessed that a low cal drink was going to kill me. I chewed that type of sugarless gum for 2 months and even had to pull off the highway becuase I thought I was going to pass out by not getting air. I decided to stop chewing the gum becuase I thought something in it was making me sick I just didn't know what it was until today when I started to drink this welch's drink and put two and two together. Thank you for this web page.
I'm 16 and have never had an allergy in my life, not to anything. No foods, no pollen or grass... but I remember feeling sick often after eating ice cream "sweetened" with Splenda. If I had seen it on the label I never would have bought it, but they just don't write it large enough. I just made the mistake of eating it again. Within 10 minutes, I became dizzy and had to sit down. My head felt like it weighed 50 pounds. My reaction time has been cut in half and I feel so uncoordinated. Splenda is horrible. Has this happened to anyone else? I don't have a rash but I broke out in a sweat and feel dizzy. I drink Diet Coke every day, not the one with Splenda, and I've never had a problem with that. I swear, it's that stupid sugar "substitute" that's causing this.
I too am so glad that I found this website. I finally figured out that my symptoms were from splenda! I had severe abdominal pain and GI upset, hives and painful joints. I was so mad to find out that the diet coke I was drinking, now had splenda in it. I have my children trained to read all labels to make sure there is no splenda in what they are about to consume.
I am glad I found this blog. I was about to start a course of Accutane for my rash/acne problem I have been having. I have had acne in the past and have done 2 courses of accutane. I thought that it was just coming back again. I was on the computer yesterday and decided to type in 'Splenda Allergy' in yahoo search. And I found this. I started drinking diet rite about a year an a half ago and was starting to get acne break-outs. I am in the navy and went overseas for year and the rash pretty much went away but then came back after about six months. Now that I look back that is about the time I started using myoplex protein drinks. Guees what. It has sucraslose in it. My rash/acne wasn't that bad. Must not be too much sucralose in the myoplex. As soon as I got home last April, I started drinking Diet Rite again and started adding other products with splenda/sucralose to my diet. My rash/acne started getting worse, but I still didn't connect it with my use of Splenda. I have been splenda free for 2 days now and I can already see the difference. I also have had a weird eye tick in my right eye for the last three months. Thought I was starting to fall apart or something at the ripe age of 34. The tick has also disapeared so far the last 2 days. God bless the internet!
Thank you so much, everyone's comments here have been so helpful. I've been wracking my brain for two weeks trying to figure out where these hives are coming from, and everyone says you can't be allergic to Splenda! I've been using it to help diet for the past month, and my rash has just been getting worse and spreading, and now the hives are beginning to peel. I'm so glad I found this site before this stuff started doing real damage to my body. This is my first day without Splenda, and I can already feel the difference - the rash didn't flare up after breakfast (juice with Splenda), and it's continuing to fade so far. Thanks for the help everyone!
I have been experiencing awful hives, rashes and burning itching since August, 2005. I went to the allergist and got zyrtec and hydroxyzine, that puts me into a coma, can't take that and go to work. Yesterday, I had oatmeal for breakfast and started breaking out again badly. This morning I just happen to look at the oatmeal box and Splenda is in it. I think this is what is causing this nightmare. No more Splenda for me! I hope this works, I am about to go madddd! Renee in NY
I use a lot of Spenda. I was on low carb for about 2 years. I have been experiencing swollen red gums and a VERY dry bottom lip. I went to the doctor and he did a biopsy on my lip as it had like a white scab across it. I have been using moisturizer on it for about 3 months. It seems to be getting a little better but now that I read these letters I wonder if my problem is the Splenda. Has anyone else had these symptoms. Swollen red gums, sore mouth (especially when trying to eat something hard like toast, and a VERY dry lower lip. Gail in Vermont
I have been waking up with swollen eyes, swollen lips and very dry itchy patches of skin on my face. I first thought it was hormonal (perimenopause), then I thought it was a shellfish reaction, I have been eating alot of shellfish lately. I also have been using a lot of splenda lately,,,,,I will give up the splenda and see what happens...thanks for the comments, I never thought of splenda being the cause. I will let you know.. Any other ideas let me know.
This is a great Blog. I have developed a double vision problem after using Splenda for about 6 months. I gave up my daily dose of sugar for Splenda six months ago. I lost 15 pounds and gained double vision.
I am stopping Splenda today after reading all of the reported problems. Iíd like to know what happened eye problems reported by others.
I am SO HAPPY (yes, HAPPY), I found this site! About a month ago, I developed a small, itchy rash on my thigh. Five weeks later, it is a full blown, all over body rash that is unbearable in sight and ITCH!!! I have all the docs stumped (3 of them!).....and I am a RN, and kept believing it MUST be something I am doing everyday or injesting everyday as this rash does not let up.
Lo and behold, I zeroed in on the fact I drink 2-3 diet sodas a day with Splenda. The only thing I do consistently diet-wise. ALL my soaps and cleansers are organic, mild stuff I have been using for years. Now, I have had diet sodas with Splenda before, but never as much as recently (since my car accident I have been home-bound).
I Googled Spenda and rash and TA-DA......my poor husband has been telling me for several months to look up Splenda side-effects and I did not listen! Today is the day I found this site and all the info on Splenda and rashes. Yesterday morning is my LAST drink with Splenda.
How long does it take this crap to leave my poor body? I can hardly wait to see if this rash finally goes away and then to wow my docs with this knowledge!! Will let you know if this helps!
Peace,
Rose
I have used splenda for over a year now, and just within the past month I have developed this intense itching. First it started in the back of my neck, now its mostly in my left arm. I thought it may have been Scabies or something but the Doctor said it wasn't, and he had no clue why I was itchin so bad, bad enough to cause bleeding. I am an avid user of Splenda; I never thought Splenda could be the cause, so I am effectively going to stop using it.
Yes, Dan! Don't wait until your entire body itches as it does drive you mad! I, too, got the itching in back of my neck as well as everywhere else. Most of the oral medications and topical stuff did not do much for the itch! As you continue to take in Splenda, the itching and rash begin to spread all over! Will take that much longer to have it out of your system. I contacted the FDA today..they were very interested. I contacted the Splenda people. They could not care less. I contacted the makers of Waist-Watchers, the soda I was drinking with the Splenda in it. They were also very interested. Today, 48+ hours after I stopped with the Splenda, the rash is still there, but much less itchy. No more spreading, some of the redness going away. I want the rash bumps to go away, they are unsightly!
I just bought a 12-pack of the Cherry 7-up with the calcium. I did't realize it was sweetened with Splenda until I got home with it - generally I stay away from the artificial sweeteners.
Since drinking it (about every day for the past week) my eyes have burned, been swollen and itched. I went to the dr. and was diagnosed allergic conjuctivitis. We started going through my diet to see what was new. Splenda. So I googled it and allery and here I am. My symptoms are the same as many people here.
Will see if it clears up once I get it out of my system.
I hate engineered foods.
I can not believe all you poor people on here. I feel so bad. I thought I was losing my mind when I started having severe nightmares. A friend of a friend was chatting one day about how she had stopped using Splenda because she had these awful nightmares. I have been using Splenda for a week and haven't slept through one night since I started. Needless to say I have stopped using Splenda and wish you all the best with your other ailments.
I started the South Beach diet about a month and a half ago and that was the first time I started using Spleda in my tea everyday instead of sugar.
About a week ago I started experiencing red rashes on my skin (on the forearms) that was unbearably itchy as well as noticed that my lower lip turned very dark and dry. I also felt a lot more depressed and I am a very happy person by nature, so it was very unusual. I researched the web on the splenda allergy and thanks to these postings and website, I learnt that a lot of people experienced symptoms I was going through.
I have stopped Splenda since a week now, however the rash on my arms and the itchiness still exists. Would really appreciate it if someone could shed some light on how long does this horrible stuff take to get out of ones body and for the itch rash to completely disappear??? I am very concerned!!
Thanks!
About 10 days on a Thursday night I broke out in hives (welts and bright red rash) on my neck which spread down to my chest and arms. I had just eaten a chili dog and drank 2 large glasses of Hawaiian Punch Lite (sweetened with Splenda). The itching was severe and I called the doctor the next day who prescribed Benadryl for the weekend and an office visit if it did not subside. I felt panicky and tingly all over and had diarrhea. Today (10 days later) most of the itching and rash has subsided although I am still having a little bit at night and in the morning. But it has been 10 days..... Curiously, I had just visited my mother the weekend prior, she's 74 and diabetic, who had told me Splenda made her itchy. She cannot it in coffee or eat any of the diabetic pies made with it.... Well, I started on the Hawaiian Punch Lite back in August and loved the stuff. Drank tons of it. Initially, I noticed mild itching and a rash on my chest when I was out in the sun and thought it was a new lotion I was using or the laundry detergent. My family drank the Hawaiian Punch only occasionally. My husband complained of itching (no rash) and my 7 year old had sporadic itching as well (we thought it was a virus), although he mostly drinks plain grape juice, water or milk. Occassionally he would have the Hawaiian Punch.....No one in the family drank as much as I did. I seriously thought I had pancreatic cancer or was allergic to MSG until I read all of the testimonials about Splenda reactions. Thank you for this website. I'm staying off Splenda even though it tastes great! (and waiting for the rash and itching to completely clear up). I hope the word gets out! The reaction to Splenda has been scary, lengthy and hard to pin down until it was full blown.
Hello Kathy!
Well, I think, from all I have been reading on other websites as well, how long it takes for the itching to abate greatly varies. Today is Day 11 since not consuming Splenda. I still have itching, I still have the rash but it is SO MUCH better! I think, for me, Day 8 was the day the really bad itching finally let up. It all depends on your body so be patient! I think drinking lots of water helped, exercise...both help "flush" your body's toxins! For any allergic reaction rash, it can take up to a couple of months for the reaction rash to completely go away ( I am an RN, but my skin doc says the same thing). Good luck! Oh, and my dermatologist seemed kind of, like, "Whatever" when I told him about Splenda. He said, "Well, one can react to any chemical." I said, "Yes, but Splenda is marketed as a "food" not a chemical!"
Peace,
Rose
Yes!
This just happened to me this weekend. Crazy swollen eyelids, distorting my whole face, and diarrhea! Glad to have gotten to the bottom of this ... it was scary. Thanks for your post.
I have had similar experiences and do believe it is sucralose related. A couple months ago I got a severe sore throat infection and thought I was also reacting to the antibiotics from my airway swelling shut. I developed the same itchy/burning welts on various parts of my body as described here. It seemed the welts developed at various pressure points on my body depending on how I slept, or sat in a chair, or leaned on my forearms etc... My hands and feet also had welts. I also had some breakouts on my face which I never get. One episode had my tonge swelling up huge. Another had my lips swell up huge. This baffled me. This continued for the last couple months after I discontinued antibiotics so it ruled out a reaction to the medications. I changed laundry detergent w/ no help. What I did notice is that I have been drinking alot of Fruit20 and Propel lately for workouts etc.. I'm not sure the sucralose caused the sore throat but i am sure it aggravated it and caused the throat swelling closed episode. I now have a couple Epi-pens handy too. I am discontinuing sucralose immediately and will see what happens.
I have been 17 days without Splenda, and I still have the rash although much of it is almost gone! Yes, Splenda is "hidden" in so much! And more and more people are baking with this poison so I won't even buy homemade baked goods if I can't talk to the baker! That's how awful the rash was! I cannot bear the thought of ever having to go through a little of this again. I think the product list with Splenda or sucralose in it is up to 3800 and growing. I will only shop at Whole Foods (who have banned Splenda from their stores) or only buy an organic product where every ingredient is listed. I am a truly organic woman now, LOL! Good luck, everyone!
A couple of weeks ago I decided to try cutting down on my sugar, so I made a 1/2 Splenda 1/2 sugar mixture. I started using it in my tea. I drink 3-6 cups of tea a day but only use 1/2 teaspoon of sweetener in it. Within a day, I started falling into a depression. I felt so horrible. I had no energy and was irritable and felt like I was in a fog and spiraling downward. I am a pretty upbeat person normally so it was very strange for this to suddenly happen. I had a baby 5 1/2 months ago so I thought perhaps it was postpartum depression. This went on for about 2 weeks and I was about to call my OB. For some reason, I thought of the Splenda I was using and decided to search online and found that many, many other people were experiencing depression from it! I would have never thought that a sweetener could cause something like that. I stopped using Splenda and within 24 hours felt much better. Now, a week later, I feel back to my old self. I have also realized I have problems with other artificial sweeteners too.
Hi I am also using splenda been using it for 9 months.no rashes but am wandering could it cause blisters on the hands? I have blisters all the time on my hands I went to the doctor they put me on antibiotics said it was a staff infection. Well it worked untill the antibiotics were gone and they came back and my hands hurt so bad and a couple of my fingers are swollen so bad they look like they are going to bust open..so do you think splenda has anything to do with it since I havent gotten them before I used it...
I just finished reading all these comments and I am quitting Splenda this instance. I've been trying to cut back on caffienated coffee, which I like without sweetener, but I've been putting splenda into my decaf. I started out with red eyes and a welt under one eye. Then I had an itchy "heat rash" under my breasts. Now I have red bumps all over my torso, on my arms, hands, and thighs. I've also been much more gassy than usual, and have been getting headaches. I'll let you know if cutting out splenda helps!
I joined the club! My lips have been itching like crazy for two weeks, no idea what it could be apart from introducing Splenda into my diet as part of Weight Watchers - rather annoyed that they rely so heavily on this and actually promote it in their diet - isn't WW supposed to be healthy!
Started to read online, and am horrified by what I found. Thought Spenda was better than the rest, this article laid it out for me:
http://www.womentowomen.com/LIBsplenda.asp
Hope it helps.
In the begging of this year I was diagnosed with diabetes. I think what was the worst part of being a diabetic was my love of desserts. I was ecstatic when I started finding sugar free foods that were very low in carbs. My favorite was Bryers Sugar Free with Spenda.
I had so many going on's this year, my daughter getting married, the birth of my son's first child, then my health, finding out I was diabetic in January, fracturing my foot in July, possible TMJ on my right jaw and then finding out I had nodules on my thyroid which by the way I am waiting for the results of my biopsy. So, when I mentioned the constant itching on my throat, my lips, my forehead, my doctor looked confused and just said it was a lot of stress with everything that has been happening to me this year.
My itching got to the point that I wanted to rip my throat off, a burning itch. Then came the headaches.
Yesterday I came home feeling pretty good, I ate dinner which consisted of a salad and water, still felt good. I sat in front of the t.v. with my daily bryers sugar free ice cream (with Splenda)- not even 10 minutes past and the itching came back, the burning itch and then the horrible headache. It finally clicked, it wasn't stress but possibly the ice cream I was eating. I googled under Splenda Allergy and I couldn't believe my eyes in reading all the blogs. I am counting my lucky stars that I haven't gotten any more symptoms then what I've read on these blogs.
Today I emailed all my family and friends regarding my story and I had them come to this site to read.
I already had to read labels because of my diabetes, now more than ever I'm reading labels - I don't want to feel what I've been feeling these last couple of months.
thanks again
Wow, I thought I was the only one that didn't react well to this stuff.
When they first put it on the shelves at work, I thought "Hey, I'll try a packet and see if it really tastes anything like sugar." I tried it and it tasted pretty weird. I went back to sit down and before I got back to my desk, I thought I was going to faint. It was a strange feeling like I had just given 3 or 4 pints of blood.
A few months later someone at work made me coffee. I drank it and it made me feel the same way. Then he said he started feeling sick and dizzy after drinking his. I asked him what he put in the coffee and he said it was Splenda.
Ever since then, I avoid stuff like the plague.
Glad to find this blog. Thanks for all your insights. I've been using Splenda for 5 years on a low carb diet and only recently have developed an astmatic cough with mucus that I cannot shake despite anti-biotics and anti-histimines. Originally I thought it was wine because I get a reaction from sulfites if I drink more than one glass, so I stopped drinking wine. Then I thought it was my Devon Rex kitten who has hardly bothered me at all since I got her 9 months ago and I banished her from the bedroom. Then I spent $300 for covers for my hypo-allergenic down blanket and pillows. All of which have not produced any significant results.
Most recently I've been eating the Edy's Carb Benefit ice cream which contains a lot of Splenda as well as malitol and some other 'tols that cause gas, bloating and loose stool. I'm going to start backing off the Splenda, eliminate the ice cream and see what happens. I miss the wine and the cat!
After 40 days without Splenda, my rash is almost entirely gone. I still have some itching, and where the rash was left very, VERY dry skin! Strange...almost feels like it isn't even skin! I even FEEL better. NEVER Splenda EVER!! What poison!
When I found out I was alergic to aspartame (Neutrasweet) I started being very careful to avoid artificial sweetners in general. Now it seems like splenda is everywhere and "home baked" goods don't usually have labels! The few times I've ingested splenda without knowing, I started rejecting the stuff an hour after eating it. It has no taste difference from sugar, unlike aspartame which leaves an aftertaste. My body seems really sensitive to it now that I'm pregnant and it leaves me feeling sick for 2 days! This stuff is awful!!!!
Thanks for this blog!! I have been going crazy, trying to eliminate foods and drinks from my diet until it dawned on me: I have started drinking massive amounts of diet rootbeer with Splenda. I have the neck rash and itching all over, especially the sensitive regions. Very glad I found this blog!
I've been racking my brain for the past five months to figure out why this rash on my face has been coming and going.
It's been mostly around my eyes and manifests itself as puffy, itchy red bumps. Most recently, it started appearing at the corners of my mouth as scaly patches and also on my throat.
Initially, I thought it was my eyeliner and over the past five months, I've thought incorrectly that it was cosmetics, eye make up remover, nail polish, down pillows, shellfish, soy, etc.
Until it finally dawned on me that about five months ago I switched from Equal to Splenda. (About a year ago, I had surgery and they discovered the very early stages of stomach cancer, so since that time, I've gone organic as much as possible. I've used Equal for as long as it's been on the market without any side affects. But, I thought that I should switch to Splenda because it seemed to be less of a chemical.)
Boy, was I wrong. It wasn't until yesterday that I put two and two together and made the connection between the flareups and days that I would use Splenda.
I've been Splenda free now for almost two days and already there is a difference.
And although I didn't seem to have the severe itching that many of you report, I was really getting tired of having red scaly skin around my eyes.
Having read all of your previous posts, I can see now that I am not alone.
The good news is that I can now go back to using my down pillows and eating shellfish and seafood which I love so much.
They really need to put a warning on this stuff. Dealing with the side affects can be extremely frustrating, not to mention expensive.
Good luck everybody!
Just logged on today, went to do a Google search on "allergy to Splenda" and was relieved to find these comments! I have been experiencing this intense itching that has been going on for quite some time now and wracked my brains trying to figure out what could be the cause of it. I have sensitive skin to begin with so I figured it must be something I'm using on my skin even though I am very careful about that already. Tried everything and finally started going through my diet and any changes I've made to it. Splenda came to my mind immediately! I have been using it for about 2 months. I don't know when I started noticing the itching but since I found all these comments on the same symptoms I am convinced that Splenda is the cause. About 24 hours ago I stopped using it and no itching today!!!!
i had started enjoying sucralose snacks and it was months until i recognized that my 'never before in my life killer headaches' were from splenda.
the headaches start quickly and mount to a 8 on a pain scale. i'd leave work and go to bed for the entire day...and unfortuantely, i'd indulge in another bowl of splenda ice cream because i felt so horrible and deserved the treat... so i prolonged the headache unknowingly. the headache pain moves around your head, like a drug is circulating through your brain. no tylenol or over the counter pain medicine even touched the problem.
i suspected splenda. i planned to just avoid it forever and not do one last test to make sure, until i accidentally had a crystal light slurpee and BANG! here we go again. it confirmed it for me.
i'm guessing if i drank bleach i would feel the exact same way. chlorinated sugar is not good for human consumption!!!!!!
I have also experienced an allergic reaction to Splenda. I was admitted to the emergency room twice for stroke-like symptoms (tingling sensations in the upper arms and legs)as well as the appearance and feel of a rash on my ears. Over the course of a month I became an avid coffee drinker; every day of the week I would use the artificial sweeteners. Recently I drank coffee (with two packs of Splenda) on an empty stomach and within fifteen minutes had a muscle spasm attack. I knew immediately the source of my shaking was that I was having an allergic reaction to Splenda! I'll never touch the stuff again, and I urgently suggest everyone else to avoid this product! It just doesn't work with our natural body chemistry.
So everyone is still discovering the effects of Splenda the Poison!! It's been almost 3 months since I last had Splenda and the rash is gone and the weird dry skin is also almost all gone.
I predict it will be off the market one day! I tell EVERYONE who will listen about my Splenda reaction and you know, I will get that occasional "Hey, I have this strange rash I can't figure out where it came from!" And yes, they, too, drink or eat Splenda!
I want to thank you for all the information I have found here today. This just reinforces my suspicions about what is causing my problems. I have just today realized what is going on and made the connection to Splenda. Around May, 2005 I started having the feeling that my throat was closing up. That gave me a panicky feeling and then came the tingling in my left arm and sharp pain in the left side of my head. After a trip to the emergency room to rule out stroke or heart attack, they said I just had a panic attack. I couldn't pinpoint any cause for my panic attack, and refused to take any prescription medication for anxiety/depression. I continued to have the episodes and after two more trips to the emergency room and refusing any medication, I decided to try another doctor. She understood my position on the drugs and suggested that I take St. John's Wort. In doing this, I decided to also try mostly natural foods and drinks in my diet and leave off caffeine, chocolate, dark diet sodas, Splenda, etc. My anxiety went away and I had no more episodes. I wanted to lose a few pounds I had gained over the holidays, and the Monday after Christmas I started using Splenda again. Just in the last few days I have been getting the tight throat feeling again. Also, I now remember another sensation that I had back in May I had forgotten about. Along with the tight throat feeling, I have thick post nasal drip and the feeling that my head is under water or that my head is full of water. I have also noticed a few red bumps on my shoulders and chest, however they are few and do not itch. It really frusrates me that our government officials are willing to contribute to the dangers of the citizens of our country in order to serve the monetary benefits of the large companies who put out this stuff!!! I am never using this poison again.
I just recently started a new diet where I eat 6 small meals per day in order to get in shape. It was suggested me to that I should use splenda in my meals that needed to be sweetened in order to cut back on sugar consumption. For the past few days, I have noticed that my eyes are not dilating properly...one eye is extremely dilated while the other is not. It is making one eye seem more blurry than the other, and I am really sensitive to light now. The dilation problem has not been a daily occurance, but I have noticed it happening frequently. I recently had a regular eye check-up where everything was fine...I am wondering now if this problem is associated with my splenda consumption. If anyone else has experienced this, please let me know! Thanks :o)
I am experiencing a severe case of hives that I believe is due to my use of sucralose and aspartame. Until I actually broke out in this rash, I would have never thought to check websites for allergic reactions to these artificial sweeteners. The only reason I looked it up was because I was sure that there was no other reason that I would have broken out- other than the Splenda and Nutrasweet, I had not eaten anything differently, no new soaps etc. The only thing that I had been doing different was consuming a large amount of the sweeteners. After reading all that I have about the effects of these fake sweeteners, I am sure that they are the cause for my hives and also many other problems I have recently experienced such as increased depresseion, worsened pms, and an overall feeling of fatigue everyday. I will now be avoiding anything with that garbage, but it is so difficult since it seems they now add it to everything- even foods that contain sugar and are not meant to be for a "special diet"! It is absolutely ridiculous but I am thankful to have realized this as soon as I did!
Hi all,
I am SO thankful to find I am not alone in this nightmare. I started using Splenda in coffee way back in July 2003 when I started a low-carb diet! I can't remember the exact time span but it was during that same month that I woke up with red bumps on my right leg that itched like nothing I had ever experienced before. Like a million bugs crawling on me. I was tested for all the usual things and there were just no answers. Within weeks, it had spread to my other leg and then with time, at times included my stomach, thighs, abdomen, arms, back and feet. I have dark scars from scratching and bleeding and healing. Over and over again it happened. I went through all the same things with the doctors, lotions, changing of soaps, foods etc.... All this time until yesterday I never once made the connection. Last night after eating yet another bedtime bowl of low-carb ice cream (with Splenda of course) I broke out almost instantly in another HUGE red rash from the tops of my legs to the bottom. Of course this is on top of the rash that already exists. It just never ends.
THEN: it was like a bell went off in my head and I thought for a second, "NO, Oh my God! it can't be the SPLENDA can it?!!" Ironic that while eating the ice cream I was busy searching the web (just like all the rest of you were;it had become my passion) for information on food additives and was reading a website on ribonucleotide rashes!! (All of you might want to check that out because it too is causing a rash these days.) Over the past year I had become so depressed and felt like I must have some dreaded disease that would kill me in time. I have felt so alone and helpless for the past couple years! I know that most of you must know the exact same feeling and it makes me sad and furious at the same time. My body is scarred from the long period of time that this has involved and my life has changed so much due to the embarrasment associated with it. In the past six months or so I have had days where my eyes are so swollen I don't want to go to work or leave the house. Also, I would have days where I felt like I had a film over my eyes and they would be very red. I can't take a warm shower without feeling like my skin is burning off and wearing clothes is unbearable at times. I don't know how long it will take for my body to heal from Splenda but at least now there is hope. I feel nothing but compassion for all of you who have suffered with this and I hope my testimony here will be of help to someone. When I start to see some improvement I will write again and let you know how many days it takes. I know that is my biggest question now. When will the itching stop? What a plague. I wish you all the best and I am going to do my best to help get the word out. Splenda has got to go!!!
Terri!
Your story sounds almost EXACTLY like mine! I did want to tell you, it took about 3 months for everything to go away, so be patient! It also takes about 2 weeks for most of the AWFUL itching to calm down, but I noticed in about 24-48 hours some relief from just stopping the intake of Splenda. Like you, I had the rash from head to toe. It brought me to tears! Splenda is actually closer to chlorine rather than sugar due to the chemical breakdown! PURE POISON! I promise you it will go away once you give up Splenda forever! I hate it so much I make sure I look at all the ingredients of all foods as it is often there when you least expect it! I even shop exclusively at Whole Foods as they banned Splenda from any products they sell! So buyer beware!
Good luck and let us know how you are doing!
Blessings,
Rose
I started dieting over a year ago, I bought a box of splenda to carry to work for my coffee.Then I started buying Diet Cheerwines with splenda and I started having alot of itching .My eyes were itching,my arms,deep inside my ears were itching and swelling, they felt like they were closing. I have had alot of headaches and facial pain I thought it may be the red food color. I stopped buying these softdrinks and started buying DietRite Colas with splenda, I still had the itching.I ran out of everything with splenda,including my splenda packets and was without splenda for a few days and felt good,but I didn't realize how bad I really felt until I bought more splenda. I AM SURE THE SPLENDA IS THE REASON FOR THE ITCHING AND HEADACHES!
I too have experienced itching especially in my hands.Also kept feeling my throat was going to close and had difficulty breathing.
I felt as if I had a boiled sweet in my throat all the time.
Have been to the doctor who has run various tests and given me various creams.Which do not seem to help!
I have now found this page and guess what I have just thrown out the Splenda I have been having.I will keep you posted.
Hi all! (especially Rose)
I am back again after 10 days from my first posting on the 13th. I am SOOOO very happy to report that I have had NO new rashes and the terrible itching that I have lived with for several years has gone away!!!!!!! I am living proof that it was the SPLENDA/SUCRALOSE.... and I feel like my life is just beginning all over again. I still have extensive scarring and some of my skin is still healing but even that doesn't itch now.
I can't believe the nightmare I have just woken up from. Something has to be done about this product! Does anyone know of any effort being done to have this product eliminated or properly labeled?? I feel so badly that there are no doubt thousands of people who are living the nightmare of splenda and haven't made the connection yet. Rose, I don't know where you live but I'd like to know more about Whole Foods... is that a chain. I live in Las Vegas but am transferring to Portland, Oregon in May. Will keep you all updated on my progress. Bye for now.
I too started a new weight loss plan in October'05 and started putting sugar-free hazelnut liquid sweetner in my coffee that has Splenda in it and drinking diet soda. One morning about 4 days later I woke up with a prickly type rash (tiny red bumps) around my eyes.On occasion I get little blisters around my eyes and feeling of a scratchy throat. Now its January '06, I have had such a strange headache everyday in the back left portion of my head, never had headaches there.The doctor prescribed a cortisone lotion for the rash/blisters which works but after stopping using it for 2 days it eventually comes back. We did get a kitten last July but I grew up with cats, thought maybe I'm allergic now?. But these symptoms did not appear until October, four days after my weight loss plan started. I have suspected Splenda as a culprit and tried to watch labels and not consume them but last night I had a Light ice cream bar and light cranberry juice. This morning the inside corner of my left eye is swollen and irritated and have my now regular headache. This really stinks!!. I am going to cut out all artificial sweeteners from here on out. I have never had an allergic reaction to anything but poison ivy in my entire life and I am 47.
Terri..and everyone. I felt the same way! SOMETHING must be done. So, I contacted the makers of the soda I drank (Waist-Watchers)..they were very interested, took notes. I contacted the Splenda people. They were "Hey, it's not Splenda that caused your rash. " Right, deny it. I called the Sugar Industry and they do have this big PR thing going on. I was invited to participate in a news conference in D.C. recently to speak on the effects of Splenda on my health, but I could not attend due to being in an car accident ( my back is injured and my travel is limited). So I stay in touch with the Sugar people and gave my permission to be contacted by the media so I can scream loud and clear about how bad Spenda is! I live in Massachusetts, but I do know they have Whole Food in Oregon...I think they are in Vegas, too, but not sure, Terri! Stay in touch and good luck!!!!
Blessings...
Wow..the whole eyes swollen shut thing. that is freaky...i definitely woke up 1 day with both of my eyes mysteriously swollen...about half shut. it was crazy, there was NO reasoning behind why it would have happened. I began to research splenda more and quickly discovered the severe health risks of it. I come from a very health conscious/weight control family and typically, we tend buy everything "sugar-free" or "low-carb." many of these products, in the last couple years, have converted to being made with splenda! The past year or so i have been having the most crazy, unexplained problems. from huge red bumps all of my legs (NOT razor bumps)...to my eyes bein swollen for a few days...to having to go to the bathroom frequently and sometimes having trouble controlling it....to bein completely unable to lose any weight...my face being abnormally broken out....SEVERE knee pain out of NO where..no injuries to my knee or anything..so bad i could hardly stand to walk...severe lack of energy...its CRAZY! i researched splenda more and came across a site by Dr. Mercola. You might want to search it, something will definitely come up. It COMPLETELY made me realize that all my problems were coming from splenda. there were MANY other people experiencing the same side effects as i was! Splenda, or "sucralose"..which often misleads the public...is very harmful. It contains chlorine atoms and has more chemical similarity with DDT and pesticides than it does with sugar! Since i cut splenda out of my diet COMPLETELY..all my problems have subsided and i feel like the normal, healthy me again. It is AMAZING. Sounds unbelievable i know...but how else do you explain all the MYSTERIOUS health problems i was having? Its rediculous. I will NEVER touch splenda or "sucralose" again. you have to be VERY careful to read labels, cuz these days...almost everything contains splenda. please write back. thank you. ~Krista
I have a red, bumpy rash under the corners of my mouth which developed over the last two weeks. Today I discovered the same rash above my eyelid. Nothing helps--not even hydocorisone. Perhaps I, too, am allergic to splenda. I shall stop using it and see! Thank you all.
For the past 6 months I have had sore, swollen chapped lips and a numb tongue. I THOUGHT it was just MSG but when I stopped using the Splenda, my lips got better. Now I read every label. It is sad that Splenda has found it's way into almost all low-sugar foods. As a diabetic, I need to keep away from sugar and THOUGHT Splenda was the answer to my prayers. It was just a start of my nightmares. It is nice to finally know what has been causing my problem.
My sister had a terrible itchy rash and I emailed her and told her to STOP using Splenda. That was yesterday. I hope she starts feeling better soon.
Iíve been suffering from bad headaches, allergies, burning sensations in both of my ears and my face has tingling sensations. Iíve been having lots of panic attacks from this sugar substitute, which is called Splenda. This stuff is poison. Iím going to do something about this stuff. Iíve been to the doctors several times in the pass month and none of them could explain the symptoms. I now know whatís causing these symtoms. I'm going to speak to my allergist this week and when i get to the bottom of this problem. The manufacture of this poison will be sorry. Any one with the same symptoms as me please write to me. My email is madchef at madcitycafe dot com. Thank you --Bruno.
thanks everyone,
After being on weight watchers for almost a year, I developed swollen,red,itchy,burning and peeling LIPS. After much brainstorming and searching the web I thought it could be aspertame. I purchased SPLENDA as a safe substitute! The next morning after drinking coffee with Spenda my sore lips started getting worst again! I went on line and looked up Splenda Allergies and there it was! I'm sitting here the following morning writing this with a cup of coffee with natural sugar and my lips feel 75% better! Thanks for the help everyone.
The other day I had diet pepsi and my stomache began to hurt then I felt nausea and then I was overcome by anxiety and then my hands were shaking. Shortly after that my hands swelled and became red with burning and itching. Then my whole body began to itch and became red and warm to the touch. I blame it on the artificial sweeteners that are in our food and drinks. The doctor gave me a steroids shot and Zyrtec for 2 weeks.
I have had swelling in my throat to the point of it was hard to breathe and my tongue also felt fat and swollen. Since I haven't had any diet sodas I haven't had this problem.
Thank you for this blog!
I am 49 yers old, female, and most of my life have been able to eat mostly anything but have been a very healthy eater.
I have had my share of medical problems such as a kidney pancreas transplant and a triple bypass all due to diabetes complications. I never used Splenda until about 2 months ago.
I stopped using Equal sweetner because I noticed it would make my throat constrict and give me pain in the esophagus. So I switched to Splenda which after about a month, I was having itching fits. Mostly at night when I get ready for bed, but it has been unbelievable.
Lotion would not help nor would scratching. My whole body would itch and sometimes just my feet or just my hands. Or my scalp and definitely my neck and back. I suspected it was Splenda so I am stopping. This blog confirms that!
It's been about 3 days and the itching is lessening but I think it will be two weeks before this poison is out of my system. Maybe longer.
This has been so enlightening. Splenda is so awful!
hey all. I have been breaking out in hives everyday for months and I cannot find the cause of it. I cant even stop my benedryl for long enough to get skin testing done. I am hoping its possibly realted to the splenda, but I have not consumed it everyday I have gotten hives,
so my question is this:
How long after you stopped the splenda did the hives take to completely go away?
Please email me I need as much info about this allergy as I can.
Thanks in advance!
Tanya
EMAIL: Italiangem77@aol.com
Well, I can not drink or eat anything with Splenda. I have been getting hives lately, but have not used Splenda. However, when I do consume anything with Splenda, my stomach hurts and I get nauseated and even vomit at times. It makes me feel terrible. Not only does it make me throw up, it upsets me stomach so bad that I also stay in the bathroom for hours if ya know what I mean! Good luck and stay away from it if it causes you problems.
Thank you - Thank you for this "blog" site... I have had an "over-all" body rash,blisters, itching CONSTANTLY. I have been to the Dermatologist 3 times in the last 8 weeks. Finally he said to go and find someone else, he could not help me. Same scenario with my Medical Dr. A fellow working associate was having the same symptoms. I was having "panic" attacks thinking I had some "unknown" disease and no one could help me! Splenda is the culprit. It has been 3 days and I have immediate relief from the itching. The blisters around my lips are beginning to heal. It will be months before my skin returns to normal. This reaction started around my ankles and every day was producing more clusters of blisters. My legs, my arms, my stomach, chest, neck and face. I am now scared to death as to what this has done to me internally. I am now scared of the "cancer-factor". Again, thank you for this blog site. You have SAVED my life. I am telling everyone that I come into contact with. We need a Class-action suit here!
Interesting that I found this blog while trying to find a cause for my 1 year old daughterís recent rash and welts on her bottom after she has a bowel movement. I then remembered my reactions to using Splenda in tea, and eating foods made with Splenda. I noticed right of way that the itching and hives I would get ONLY around my waist and stomach area and was certain it was related to using Splenda. The only logical conclusion I could come up with is that there is a possibility that Sucralose is cut using Iodine, because I am very allergic to Iodine. I found this out when I had a CAT scan performed about 10 years ago. Anyway, back to my daughters issue we recently started to feed her Enfamil "Next Step" in stead of whole milk. Come to find out that the Next Step has 10ug of Iodine! It seems my little one may have developed Dads allergy to Iodine. Which leads me back to what may be in Sucralose? Is anyone else allergic to Iodine and has had the same allergic reaction using Splenda?
Over a year ago I posted my Splenda Nightmare on another Belicove Blog. There I detailed my experience having just gone thru it. Well, now looking back on the year "Splenda Free" I can truly say that that stuff is the worst poison ever released into the food supply. When I first had simptoms it was just as all of you had discribed. The hives,the swolen lips and eyes. But now I realize how severely this stuff has efected me. I had also been suffering (and I mean suffering) with severe back pain,muscle pain, joint pain, stomach cramps, bloating. All of which have stopped since I discovered that Splenda was the cause. But I also had other symptoms much worse. I had also experienced vision loss, memory loss, headaches, and a feeling as though I had a gauze vail pulled over me. I lived for over a year litterally poisoned by this stuff. Now a year later, I am coping. I wear glasses, I am hipoglysemic and my memory is stillnot what it used to be. The hardest part is thatSplenda iscreeping into more and moreproducts making it harder and harder forme to do and eat the things I used to. A client came into my officelastweekwith fresh cookieshe had gotten from a local "High End"bakery...Well, we all enjoyed them, at least until the stomach cramps took me over and destroyed the rest of my day. Later, I called the bakery and found out that they sweeten their (sugar free) cookies with Splenda. The client thought he was doing us a favor by bringing a low cal snack for us. No allergy labling reqquired, no warning...Nothing. What can we do to protect us from an industry that won't act until someone dies?
OMG! Here it is TWO years later and I just now got it!!! IN the past 2 years I have rid my bed of all feathers, changed laundry & soap products, stopped eating peanuts & shellfish & even contemplated getting rid of my DOG! I have spent hundreds of dollars on allergy pills, bug sparys & bombs, lost hours @ work from migrians & even cried thinking I possibly had MS due to the blurred vision, lethargy & dizzy spells. I've been to the ER 3 times for swollen eyes & cellulitis (skin infection) due to excessive scratching! So, thinking it was stress (single mom of 3 with 2 jobs)I took a vacation. WOW! NO HIVES! But Ahhhhhh, no Splenda either. The hotel had only real sugar. And my boyfriend doesn't drink diet pop, so only regular pop on the boat. If I hadn't read these letters, my dog would of been gone this weekend. SO now the next ? is HOW long will these hives and headaches last? And what other long-term affects will I have?!?!?!
I am just coming out of a very severe reaction to something I ate about a month ago. Rash in the elbows, on the tops of the hands, around the ankles, under the breasts, inner thighs, behind the knees, under the armpits, on the tops of my feet, on the stomach, and around the backside. All I could think of was if my outside looked like this, what must my insides look like?!!!! I too, am doing a low carb diet, South Beach Diet, per CRNP suggestion. So far so good. But it seems like all of a sudden I broke out with the rash everywhere. CRNP never saw anything like it before. Gave me tablets to help with this rash. But within 48 hours I ended up going to the ER because it was so bad I knew that there was a good chance that I could possibly die from whatever it was that I ate. The doctor took one look & said contact dermatitis. My foot! He gave me a cream for the skin. I told him, give me a steroid! So I got a pack of prednisone from him w/orders to follow up with my primary care.(This was on a Sunday.) I went to CRNP next day & said she couldn't believe that the dumb doctor in the ER didn't give me a shot of prednisone. So she gave me one along with a stronger pack of prednisone for 10 days. I asked her if she thought it was a yeast infection & she said no because it didn't present like one. She said if it was fungal the prednisone wouldn't touch it. Thank God the itching stopped while I was on the prednisone. Saw the CRNP today for blood pressure recheck. I tell her about the heart beating & then it like stops for a beat & then goes on. She said it was from the reaction to whatever it was. I asked her if it was something I ate or something that I came into contact with by skin. She said that it was systemic and it was something that I ate. She asked me if I figured out what it was. I told her no. I, like many others washed all my bedding & clothes over again in Tide Free & Arm & Hammer Super Soda Washing detergent. Racked my head to think what was it that I ate that caused this. I have eaten shellfish, and nuts with no problem. Why now? It's been 5 days off the prednisone but I still have some itching. Still doing the South Beach Diet and come across a thread talking about the effects of Splenda. Of course I am surfing the net to see if it might be the Splenda. Low & behold I am here. Oh my goodness! Holy Moly! Before I forget, I literally blistered everywhere! And I am still peeling! I wouldn't wish this stuff on my enemies! I was still using Splenda up to today never even giving it a thought that it might this. Something should have rang a bell. I have used Splenda off & on before SBD but more so when I started SBD at the beginnng of February. The first sympton was the itching all over; and then as the weeks went by it got worse until it was full blown. My eyes sometimes don't focus as well, and my skin is like sandpaper and just drier than the dustbowl back in the early 1900's! Wait till my CRNP hears about this. Thanks for those who posted. It's been a full month since I had this full blown rash. I just pray that time will heal my body as I continue to eat healthy minus the Splenda. Hopefully others will not have to go through this ordeal. Now, God help me and the rest of my brothers & sisters to heal from this. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Fellow "SPLENDA" sufferers... It has been 44 days since my LAST SPLENDA intake. Today, I can say that I am "itch" free and have not had any antihistimines for 7 days!!!! My skin is still very, very dry. Continues to feel like fine sandpaper, but at least the itching is completely gone. As you all, I have never been so sick in my life. I lost my Mother, March 2005. She had been sick for 14 months prior. 3 different hospitals, 21 doctors and finally the nursing home. My Mother went from 200lbs to 135lbs. Doctors could not find out what was wrong with her. All tests came back as "inconclusive"! For the last 7 months of her life, she suffered with CONSTANT DIARREHA. Now, that I have searched everything possible about Splenda and find that it attacks the Thymus Gland,and in reading about those symptoms... I feel that I have been given the answers to what my Mother died from. My Mother struggled with her weight constantly. She was a SPLENDA USER! Her very first symptom was a Rough, Itcy patch on her hand! HELLO??? Then her system quite producing White Blood Cells, then it was swollen nymph nodes, removal of nymph nodes were "inconclusive"! What we have here is a Government so fixed on the almightly dollar that they do not care how many of us suffer or die from their "chemical" compounds! I purchased a bottle of Dansani Lemon Flavored water this morning before coming to work. As it sat on my desk, I noticed that on the side of the label was the SPLENDA Trademark. I threw it away. We all need to stand up and file a law suit against SPLENDA and tell "our" stories to everyone we come into contact with. I pray for all of us that our bodies have not been harmed by this "Chlorine Chemical" that the manufacturers call SPLENDA - SUGAR SUBSTITUTE!!!!!
I think I am one of you! I have been having a terrible time with allergies the last few weeks. Raw eyes, sneezing, etc. It came to a head this past Thursday when I broke out in hives EVERYWHERE. I have never experiened itching like this in my life and hope I never again do. I took Benedryl to get through the night and the next day my Dr gave me a Rx for prednisone which helped some. Yesterday evening they came back full force and I though I would lose my mind. I tried to think of anything new I was using and it was Splenda. Two weeks ago I started drinking a lot of a beverage flavored with Splenda. I'm not positive that Splenda is the culprit but I did have a Splenda beverage a few ours before the reoccurance. I haven't had any today and while the itching is back it is just bearable. I pray that tomorrow will be better. I won't be doing any self tests to see if it is the culprit but I may see if my Dr can test me. I wouldn't wish this itching on anyone.
I have had migrating joint pain. It started in my hip then moved to my knee. Next it was my other hip and knee. I've also had red burning earlobes off and on for a long time. I finally put it together and realized it was the Splenda. Some say it is the chlorine attached to the sugar molecule, combine that with city water that is very strong in chlorine. I've stopped using Splenda and already the pain is subsiding. It's still there a little. I'll continue to monitor.
Amazing - yesterday, I put a little Splenda on some strawberries because we were out of sugar. My 4 year old son took one bite - he had stomach cramps and went to lay down. Within 10 minutes, he vomited! THat was all he had eaten and he had never had an artificial sweetener before. I can only imagine it was the Splenda. It's all in the trash now. I am just thankful he did not react like others on this site.
About 3 weeks ago the corners of my eyes were red and irritated. I attributed it to a new eyecream, but then the next weekend my eyes were surrounded totally by red circles that burned with pain and the only thing that helped was ice and cold rags. My doctors gave me eye drops, prednizone, allegra and allergy cream, but nothing seemed to help. After about 3 days of these drugs, I made a connection to splenda. I had been drinking a Pepsi One each day, but this weekend I had drank two in one day and that is when the outbreak occurred. That day I stopped drinking Pepsi Ones and the next morning was improved by 75% and the next day was totally better. Amazing! NO more sucralose or Splenda for me. I already get severe migraines from NutraSweet, so back to real sugar for me!
I am soooo glad to find all this info. I have had a rash for 6 weeks. I have had prednisone pills, prednisone shots. I've tried every non prescription crean and several prescription ones. I've changed shampoo, conditioner, deodratents and laundry soap an nothing helped. It seemed eveyday I was getting worse. After talking to the Dermatoligist I thought maybe it was strawberries. I started dieting in Jan. and found a love for strawberries with Splenda in March. So I stopped eating strawberries and the rash with in a few days was clearing up. As dissappointed as I was about the strawberries I was excited to know that I was on my way to recovery. Then on Friday last week I stopped and bought an iced tea with splenda and by Friday evening I had a rash all over my elbows. By Saturday it was on my ears, butt cheeks and knees. I now know it is the splenda because I have had no splenda for 3 days and the rash is a little better. I guess I will be able to enjoy strawberries again I will just not cover them in Splenda. This is worse then being allergic to strawberries. Splenda has helped me stay on my diet and allowed be to lose 32 lbs. But what good is being thin if your covered in a rash all the time. I have had red hot spots that have itched but never turned to a rash. I have had scally bumpy rashes. I have had them on my head, face, nose, ears, neck, forearms, elbows, hips, thighs, knees and butt cheeks. I will never touch this stuff again.
In the last two days I have developed a very itchy rash on my cheek. The only new element in my recent diet is that I decided to try Diet Coke with Splenda (I usually drink the regular diet coke). I have had only about 3 or 4 days on the Splenda, and now I have this rash! I was surprised to find so many other people who have suspected Splenda as a cause of rashes.
Whee! I will stop drinking this for a few days and see if the rash stops, and then see what happens when I start drinking the coke with Splenda again.
What a relief it is to come across this info! About 2 months ago, I woke up one morning to a face with huge sacks under the eyes and swollen red eyelids. I looked like I had been in a boxing match. I nearly fainted! I had no idea what could have caused such a reaction as I have never been allergic to anything before. These past few months I have been racking my brain trying to narrow down what might be the cause, as the symptoms seemed to come and go. I visited a doctor; they weren't much help. I took allergy pills; no change. I tried removing various known allergens from my diet like wheat, eggs, certain fruits, dairy, etc. Still no change...the puffy red and swollen eyes would still appear. Then I started thinking about whether Splenda could be causing it; I recently started using it in my baking and my coffee, and also bought energy drinks sweetened with Splenda, all because I thought it was a safe low-cal alternative to sugar. Well lo and behold it's been 5 days since I have had no Splenda and my eyes are back to normal. I think, after reading all the posts here, that I will remove it from my diet. I'll go back to using regular sugar (and maybe give Stevia a try). I love sweet things, but not if the cost is big swollen puffy red eyes.
Thanks to everyone for your posts. I have felt like I've been going crazy these past few months and this information is the first I've come across on the internet that supports my suspicions about Splenda.
Hello everyone! I came across this website because I've been suffering from horrible allergies for the last ten months and have been searching like crazy trying to figure out the cause but not once did it cross my mind that it could be Splenda until a few days ago. Ten months ago I went on the south beach diet which uses splenda on a lot of their recipes. The first thing I experienced was the numbness and tingling on my hands and arms, went to the doctor, got all kinds of tests done and everything came back normal. My doctor said it may be carpal tunnel syndrome which didn't make sense since I dont do any type of work that would cause that, but oh well. Next, I got this horrible skin rash on my arms and back of the legs which my doctor said it was eczema. I did have eczema as a child so I bought into that one. So far none of things caused me to think it was the Splenda because I believed it to be safe since it's derived from real sugar. Sugar never caused me any problems, why would it start now. Before I go on, I have to say that I've always suffered from enviromental allergies and I'm allergic to yogurt and penicillin, but nothing that a once a day pill wouldn't take care of. I also have a real sweet tooth, so I started using splenda everyday on my coffee and other south beach diet recipes. Next thing I know I started getting this hives that would start on my feet every single day and over a period of time covered my whole my body. The doctor put me on prednisone because benadryl wasn't helping and it went away for a little bit. About 2 weeks later I'm in the ER with my eyes and lips swollen, completely unrecognizable and throat started closing. Went back on steroids and started to see an allergist. Allergy testing showed that I was allergic to everything that you could possibly imagine. Basically the only things I could eat safely were oatmeal, coffee, spinach, tuna, beef, sugar, olives and berries. My allergist was blown away and so was I of course. What happenned, I've eaten all the other regular foods all my life and I'm 36 yrs old, how could all of a sudden be allergic to them? Again I didnt think it was the splenda because it comes from sugar and that was ok. My allergist thought that something was making me hypersensitive to all this things that I never had a problem with before. So I followed the doctor's instructions and did what they called and "Elimination Diet" ate the things that were safe only and yes I was glad that I least could have the splenda in my coffee, oatmeal and berries. I also spent a lot of money changing all my bedding to hypoallergenic ones, got rid of the bird and all the carpets in the house. The hives still kept coming and so did the swelling regardless of all the changes I had made not to mention the multiple medications and large doses of prednisone. All of this has occurred over a period of 10 months and just the other day,it occurred to me that I had also started using splenda 10 months ago when I started the south beach diet, and I continued to use it through the elimination diet. I called my doctor and asked him, if has seen patients allergic to splenda. He said no, but of course splenda is fairly new on the market and there's probably not alot of documented cases on it. He did say to eliminated completely and be patient because it can take anywhere from 3 days to up 3 to 4 weeks before I can see real changes. Well I came home and googled "splenda allergies" and thank god I found this website. It confirms my suspicions, I felt relieved to have found others who have been through the same thing and that I'm not going crazy. It's only been 3 days since I stopped the splenda and although I have still experienced some mild hives I have been able to decrease the amount of medications that I take. I'm down to twice a day as opposed to 4 or 5 a day. I forgot to mention earlier that I was also feeling mentally foggy and that was the first change that I noticed since I stopped the splenda. I was completely blown away when I read all of your stories. My life has been a nightmare for the last ten months. I've been trough so much testing including Lupus. I've missed so many days of worked because of this, that I'm just lucky to still have a job. Why aren't this side effects being recognized by "Splenda" and the FDA. Maybe some of you can help shed some light on this.
Splenda is dangerous? because it happened to me. I am a personal trainer and an office assistant. I eat fairly healthy and also the occasional junk food. I cleaned up my diet to enter a figure bodybuilding competition.
For the first week- I wrote down everything I ate, right down to the gms, total gms, calories, fat/pro/carb% ratioÇs. I realized I had taken in so much fat and carbs, and not enough protein to maintain my muscle.
The second week- I started a clean diet, to stay lean and gain more muscle. This was the typical bodybuilders/competitors diet that I followed, but ofcourse adjusted the portions and calories, according to my height, bodywt, and goals.
On that second week - I started having eye pain every 2hrs. Pain inside my eye, like a spasm, also in front of my eyeballs. Not eye irritation, I mean ŃPAINâ. My vision also became blurry, as if there was a clear plastic bag in front of my eyes, sometimes clear, sometimes cloudy. I was freaking out, crying, because this would happen day and night. I started having panic attacks at night for fear that I might wake up blind.
I decided to see an Opthamologist. He said my eyes were in perfect condition, he could not find anything wrong. He said it may be associated with allergies, and suggested I take over the counter allergy medication. He said to check up with him in a year.
The third week- the same thing?groggy, fat | 
