Friend Needs Input

A friend of mine asked me to ask you this:

This is what I am struggling with; thanks for your help.
 
  In looking at symptoms that one can have with Celiac disease (gluten free diet) which I was diagnosed with about 3 yrs ago, that is the most likely cause.
  Sporadically I have flare-up of these symptoms--sneezing, runny nose, itching, intense feeling of cold, especially my legs.  I can deal with most of these, but the itching is really difficult.  It's an itch that won't go away.  My head especially is itchy with a rash. (some rash on other places--upper body also). Often when I scratch an itch in one place, it seems to trigger an itch other places. Or just moving will trigger a cold feeling, which in turn starts an itch.
    It appears to be nerve related. Thus, things I've tried to relieve the itch from the outside help very little or not at all.  I've had various creams, lotions, prescriptions from doctors.  Most of the time the itch is worse when I first get up in the morning.  For about two hours, I want to climb the wall.  It gradually subsides, but not completely.  This Flare-up usually lasts a few days, then I may not have it for several weeks or even 3 months.  Although the head itch seems to be present most of the time, with small periods of time that seem to about 99% free of itch. If anyone has found anything to relieve an itch like that, I would like to know about it.  I've even tried a suggestions of applying intense heat (from a hair dryer) to the itchy areas, until it feels like it going to burn, then take it away. I guess it kind of numbs the nerve endings??  I don't really like this method.
   I don't have much trouble with the digestion as I had been, which is one of the main symptoms of celiac.  So I'm asking (whoever might know) why the other bothersome symptoms.
   The other thing, I would like to know the length of time it takes for gluten to do it's dirty work, if I have unknowingly eaten some.  About 4 weeks ago or so I know I had some, but too late.  I was told something was gluten free and after eating it told by another person at the restaurant that it was not gluten free.  I am wondering if the gluten I ate 4 weeks ago would be the cause of my itching today.
    Appreciate any help you can give.

Thanks as always!

Marci