Does this look like DH?

[What's wrong with me?]

Hi, I'm new to all this and don't know much about it. Ive have had a blister like rash for sometime now and my doctor wants to send me to a rheumatologist. I haven't gone yet but have been doing research on anything that might could cause these lesions. My doctor thinks I have RA and I have all the signs and symptoms but my blood test came back normal. I am at a loss and really need some help to easy my mind at least. If anyone could tell me if this looks like DH I would really appreciate it. TIA. 

[What's wrong with me?]

[squirmingitch]

DH presents bilaterally the vast majority of the time. It itches like an SOB, night & day & will keep you from sleeping. The best way to get a dx is to get a dh biopsy from a dermatologist. A dx of dh is a dx of celiac, no other testing needed. You MUST have been continually eating a gluten diet. VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

If you've had a steroid shot or been taking oral steroids within the last 2 months, the biopsy can turn false negatives. A dh biopsy is taken from CLEAR skin ADJACENT to an active lesion NOT ON a lesion. Scratching can very quickly destroy the patterning the pathologist will be looking for.

Read further threads in this dh section for more info. on a properly done dh biopsy. Make a print out & take it to your derm & make sure the biopsy gets done the right way.

[janpell]

My 9 year old daughter has the exact same marks as you. It is being dismissed as her doing it to herself. I honestly don't think she is but I do know once she gets the sores she is a chronic picker which does not help.  The main reason they say it is self inflicted is because they are only on her arms and legs - never her torso. Sorry I don't have anything for you but I was wondering where you are getting your sores? 

I pulled my daughter off of gluten a year ago and they seemed to have cleared and two months ago I let her eat whatever they served at a birthday party and all the sores are back (still). 

[Susie12]

This looks exactly like the rash on my skin.  It itches like crazy, oozes clear liquid a bit, and the middle is perfectly round.  If I put my finger on an open sore, the wound is depressed a bit, as opposed to a pimple, which is a raised mark.

I've had this for several years, and have gone to several dematrologists who told me to stop itching and picking it, and told me to take Benedryl.  I've had several biopsies, which were all non-descript.

I suffered with this for years without knowing what it was until I tested for a gluten sensitivity only, not celiac.  I stopped eating gluten, (although it is hard to do as some things have gluten that I miss), and the rash got better.

I did talk with one doctor who didn't diagnose this, but said in general that the antibiotic advertised to clear the gluten-generated rash has many side effects.

It can take from a few days to a week to show after eating gluten, and it then takes over 3 weeks to subside.  This can happen if I eat so much as a cracker.

The doctors say to just stop eating gluten.  I try, but when the rash gets worse, I think back and can't remember anything I know about that contains gluten.  It is too expensive to buy things that say "gluten free".  I am trying to start making my own food, but it is time-consuming, etc.

Have you found anything that stops the itching?  Have you had any success in reducing the rash? I emphasize with you.  I know exactly what this is like.  Any help would be appreciated.