Does this look like DH to you?

[Teddy123]

Hi All,

New to the forum - I have had eczema all my life and recently havehad the mother of all flare ups, used some aveeno prduct (contains oats) to try and moisturise but seems to have made it worse. On a researching the tinterweb I came accross this link with potential gluten alergies and DH.

This flare up is the itchiest thing I have ever known, worse at night, not sleeping and has pretty much made me super miserable. I am off to see the doctor today, but just wanted to get your thoughts. Although I dont know if this is scabies or DH or just bad eczema, the symptoms seem very similar to those written in other post and its good to know I'm not the only one going through this, 

What do you guys think - Does this look like DH to you?

[ravenwoodglass]

It could be. Is it bilateral? Usually DH is bilateral in that, for example, if you have the lesions on one arm they would also be on the other.  DH also leaves purplish scars that are slow to fade. You should ask your GP to run a celiac panel and for a referral to a dermatologist. Hopefully the derm will be familiar with DH as they need to take a biopsy on the skin next to an active lesion and they need to be looking for DH in the lab that processes the biopsy. Do you have any other symptoms? Those could be mood issues, joint and muscle pain, migraines as well as stomach problems.

[Teddy123]

1 hour ago, ravenwoodglass said:

It could be. Is it bilateral? Usually DH is bilateral in that, for example, if you have the lesions on one arm they would also be on the other.  DH also leaves purplish scars that are slow to fade. You should ask your GP to run a celiac panel and for a referral to a dermatologist. Hopefully the derm will be familiar with DH as they need to take a biopsy on the skin next to an active lesion and they need to be looking for DH in the lab that processes the biopsy. Do you have any other symptoms? Those could be mood issues, joint and muscle pain, migraines as well as stomach problems.

Thanks for getting back, Pretty much Bi latteral, both arms, underarms, both thighs, both hands, only bit that isnt is on my stomach, that seems to be on one side. I've noticed I've become pretty grumpy lately, I put this down to poor sleep, but generally feel a bit down, lathargic and not really excited about much. no real other symptoms. 

[squirmingitch]

If the derm says it's scabies, then make the derm PROVE it by doing a skin scraping!!!! If the derm says they can tell by looking then MAKE them PROVE it. If the derm says it's not dh then MAKE them PROVE it by doing a dh biopsy which is taken on CLEAR skin ADJACENT to an ACTIVE lesion. If they take it ON a lesion that is NOT a dh biopsy. Remember, the derm works for YOU, not the other way around.

You MUST be eating gluten every day until ALL testing is completed.

60% of those with dh, test negative on the celiac blood panel.

A positive dh biopsy IS a diagnosis of celiac disease & no further testing is needed.