Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Dermatitis herpetiformis or “chicken skin”?

Breezy1

By Breezy1
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Recommended Posts

Breezy1 Explorer
Breezy1
Posted

I don’t know why this site won’t let me upload photos. I have bumps on the back of both arms, as well as my back both left and right side. They are red and sometimes more red than other times. I have noticed a few purplish or brownish spots too. It isn’t always itchy but does get itchy which causes it to get more irritated. It gets especially itchy after showering regardless of how cold/warm the water is. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

It sounds more like KP (Keratosis Pilaris) or chicken skin instead of DH.  

Open Original Shared Link

 

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

It doesn't sound like dermatitis herpetiformis.

Breezy1 Explorer
Breezy1
Posted
  • Author

Okay thank you!

knitty kitty Grand Master
knitty kitty
Posted

Open Original Shared Link

I found this article very helpful.  There are many skin, hair and nail changes that take place when your vitamin levels get low.  Remember, Celiac Disease causes malabsorption which results in malnutrition.  Sometimes healing Celiacs need some help from supplements because they aren't absorbing all the vitamins from foods well.  

When I get glutened, I get chicken skin and DH.  I've found increasing vitamins A and D helpful in clearing up my skin.  Various B vitamins help, too, as does omega 3 fats and vitamin C.  

Hope this helps.

Breezy1 Explorer
Breezy1
Posted
  • Author
2 hours ago, knitty kitty said:

Open Original Shared Link

I found this article very helpful.  There are many skin, hair and nail changes that take place when your vitamin levels get low.  Remember, Celiac Disease causes malabsorption which results in malnutrition.  Sometimes healing Celiacs need some help from supplements because they aren't absorbing all the vitamins from foods well.  

When I get glutened, I get chicken skin and DH.  I've found increasing vitamins A and D helpful in clearing up my skin.  Various B vitamins help, too, as does omega 3 fats and vitamin C.  

Hope this helps.

Thank you!! I’ve been googling since I got home from work and what I have on the back of my arms looks like “chicken skin” I believe. I did come across something interesting though! I saw some pictures of DH on fingers/hands and it looked exactly like what I get now and then. Sometimes I break out with a few very small bumps on my fingers and they will be insanely itchy and painful. I don’t really know what triggers it but when it happens it usually doesn’t go away for weeks. But I don’t have it all the time... so I don’t know if it would be DH then? I’m very new to all this, I just had my blood work done today so I’m waiting on results. 

knitty kitty Grand Master
knitty kitty
Posted
12 hours ago, Breezy1 said:

Thank you!! I’ve been googling since I got home from work and what I have on the back of my arms looks like “chicken skin” I believe. I did come across something interesting though! I saw some pictures of DH on fingers/hands and it looked exactly like what I get now and then. Sometimes I break out with a few very small bumps on my fingers and they will be insanely itchy and painful. I don’t really know what triggers it but when it happens it usually doesn’t go away for weeks. But I don’t have it all the time... so I don’t know if it would be DH then? I’m very new to all this, I just had my blood work done today so I’m waiting on results. 

Stay on a diet containing gluten until all your tests are done.  Removing gluten will cause your body to stop making the antibodies against gluten.  The antibodies you make are what is being measured in those blood tests.  

Open Original Shared Link

This page is very helpful.  Be sure to read her connecting pages on Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and sulfite intolerance.  

When you do go gluten free, try the low histamine diet.  I had great success with it.  

Hope this helps.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,902
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Patty6133
    Newest Member
    Patty6133
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Xravith
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By Xravith · Posted

      Yes, you are right. Indeed, I’ve been feeling anemic since the beginning of this week, and today I felt horrible during a lecture at the university, I was trembling a lot and felt all my body incredibly heavy, so I had to come back home. I’ll do a blood test tomorrow, but I’m just worried about the possibility of it coming back negative. I’ve been eating two cookies in the morning as my only source of gluten over the past two weeks—could that affect the final result?
    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.