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Dh On Chest Only?

Jmg

By Jmg
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

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Jmg Mentor
Jmg
Posted

Hi. I'm currently undiagnosed and wondering whether I have DH and if this could help me reach a diagnosis.

 

For about 17 years I've had occasional outbreaks of a rash on my chest. There are occasionally pus filled sores and it gets really itchy. It never seems to go beyond my chest but occasionally I'll get one or two sores on my back or crotch. It's not really responded to any of the creams or antibiotics I've been prescribed.

 

Most descriptions of DH say that its on the arms. It doesn't appear there for me. Does this sound like it could be DH?

 

I also get sores around the back of my neck and scalp, raised pimples, very dry flaky skin/dandruff, but sometimes big flakes. The closest description I've seen online for this has been seborahic dermatitis. Unless that could be DH also?

 

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BlessedMommy Rising Star
BlessedMommy
Posted

I'm not an expert, but I would say that DH doesn't "have" to be in any particular area in order to be DH. Sure, certain areas are more common, but it sounds like it could be DH.

 

Will your dermatologist do a DH biopsy?

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

DH can present anywhere on the body. I'm not sure what you are describing really sounds like dh though.

Jmg Mentor
Jmg
Posted
  • Author

DH can present anywhere on the body. I'm not sure what you are describing really sounds like dh though.

 

I'm not sure either, but it did improve when I removed gluten from my diet.

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

How long have you been gluten-free? You can either stay that way or go back to a full gluten diet for 2 months & then go to a derm & get a dh biopsy. Read threads on here to make sure they do the biopsy right.

There are many gluten related rashes with celiac disease & not all of them are dh but I'm not saying yours isn't -- I'm just saying it doesn't sound like it off the bat. Does it appear bilaterally? Does it itch so badly it keeps you awake at night?

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

NCGI can also present with a variety of rashes, not including DH.

 

Colleen

  • 2 weeks later...
Jmg Mentor
Jmg
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for all the replies. I don't think my rash is DH, am leaning towards folliculitis! 

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  • 2 weeks later...
lovemybabies Newbie
lovemybabies
Posted

How long have you been gluten-free? You can either stay that way or go back to a full gluten diet for 2 months & then go to a derm & get a dh biopsy. Read threads on here to make sure they do the biopsy right.

There are many gluten related rashes with celiac disease & not all of them are dh but I'm not saying yours isn't -- I'm just saying it doesn't sound like it off the bat. Does it appear bilaterally? Does it itch so badly it keeps you awake at night?

Hi! I see here that you say make sure they do the biopsy right.. My 4 yr old has a rash on her face that i asked to have checked for DH, derm dr took biopsy from her back, he said all skin was the same results wise... Came out neg for DH but I am really thinking he did it wrong, I'd appreciate your thoughts...

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

He did it wrong. A biopsy for dh has to be taken from clear skin ADJACENT to an ACTIVE lesion. The biopsy has to be sent to the lab with instructions that they are looking for dh. AND the patient HAS to be actively eating a full gluten diet for 2 months prior to the biopsy or you will get a false negative.

  • 4 years later...
Natureguy Rookie
Natureguy
Posted

I have gotten DH on my arms, knees, stomach, thigh and butt. Have not had it on my chest....yet. But as many places as I have seen it I would say yes it is possible to have it on your chest. 

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