Symptom Relief

[Yellow Rose]

I have a DH rash on my chest.  Have had celiac 6 years and this is the first time with this reaction. I recently read about the healing properties of coconut oil.  Last night the itching and burning was driving me nuts and I couldn't sleep. I had an old, barely used jar of coconut oil in the back of my fridge.It was hard and cold.  I scraped some off with my fingernail and applied it to the rash.  Relief was immediate.  The burning stopped, the itch was still there but not too much.  I have to reapply when it starts back up but so far so good. I have noticed that my skin is peeling a little like a sunburn.  I used Organic Unrefined Expreller Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil.  How long will this last?

Yellow Rose

[squirmingitch]

Are you asking how long the rash will last or how long the relief from the coconut oil will last? Actually, don't even bother to answer that b/c there is no set time for either. It all depends on so many things & lastly it depends on your particular reaction.

 

You do know, don't you that if you've been dx'd for 6 years & this is the first time you've gotten dh that it means you've gotten glutened or cc'd?

[Yellow Rose]

Yes, I got glutened 4 x in one week. My new son-in-law was living with us before they found a place and bought some mayo that he liked.  When they moved out they forgot to take it with them. I was unaware of all this.  Last Wed I made deviled eggs and grabbed what was in the fridge. We have both squeeze and jar in my fridge and am used to everyone checking things before putting in my fridge.  I ate more eggs the next day, had burgers on Fri. and a BLT Sat. as I was putting it up the label was facing me and you know how you automaticly read labels, well there it was WHEAT.  I didn't get the usual stomach pains and such but did have horrible insomnia,then the itching started, brain fog, what I thought was hives, little blisters in the rash, just got worse as I kept eating the mayo and of course I didn't catch it until I finished the BLT. I have heard about DH and read some on it but the itching is horrible.  My understanding is it dries out but is it ok to help it along by poping the little blisters?

[squirmingitch]

Oh, I'm sooooo sorry hon! Yep, you got it allright. Maybe it won't last that long with you. If you've been really, really strict & not had any slip ups but this one then that's a better chance that this will be a milder, shorter lasting outbreak. 

Yes, we know how horrid the itching is. Read this thread for tips on how to deal with it.

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/96552-help-for-the-itching-stinging-burning-pain-of-dh/

 

Yes, I think all of us pop the blisters. We can't stand not to. They drive you NUTS until you do. Mine sting like fire ants until I do. Then everything stops for a few hours & then the itching starts. But if you don't pop the dratted things you just suffer longer. 

 

We're here if you need any more help, have questions or just want to pitch a fit & scream, moan & complain. Been there, done that.

(((((HUGS)))))

 

OH! And cut out the high iodine foods until the rash starts going away, that should help give you some relief. iodine makes it go bonkers. For low iodine diet see

Open Original Shared Link

[Rowena]

Oh, I didn't know Iodine made a difference in the rash healing!!!! Thanks for that tip!

 

Meanwhile, I agree with squirmingitch, the disappearance varies, same with coconut oil or any itch relief for that matter...  (Just don't do what I do and say 'Oh I feel miserable anyway, I'll eat more gluten/dairy...)

[squirmingitch]

Rowena, I would like to clarify ~~~ for some reason iodine (for most of us) just makes the rash that much worse or if your rash is all laid down & then you go eating a lot of iodine heavy foods it can make the rash flare like all get out. Iodine doesn't necessarily make the rash heal but going low iodine can take the edge off & sometimes make a big difference. In yellow rose's case; being that she's been gluten-free for so long, it might make all the difference in the world for her. For someone like myself who has had dh for years until I discovered it is actually celiac & have been 19 months gluten-free but still have rash presenting b/c the antibodies are not out of my skin yet; iodine makes my rash so much worse. I am remaining low iodine.

[Rowena]

Yeah, that's what I meant... I'm HORRIBLE at writing/saying what I mean... But the tip is much appreciated because when I break out (for lack of a better phrase) anything to make it a little better would be amazing!

[squirmingitch]

It's hard to wrote what we mean w/o the possibility of it being misinterpreted. I've written stuff & it seemed perfectly clear to me when I checked it before I posted it. Then I have gone back later & read it & thought OH NO! that sounds completely different than my intent. If you actually know the person you're writing to then they know how you say things & the way you mean them but when we have never spoken in person, it can be hard. No voice inflections or body language to go along with the text.