Identifying Rash and Treatment Option

[HansG]

A few days ago my wife presented with a severe rash. At first we thought it was poison ivy or poison oak, but it has spread all over and appears more like a DH Rash. I've never seen poison ivy spread like this and it is not stopping. It really does look like what we found online as a DH Rash. Although there are several places where the rash appears as a grouping of three small "bites".
She has always had a dairy intolerance and seems to have a few, not all, of the other symptoms associated with Celiac. It does make sense that it would appear in her life now for a few reasons.
We've tried Calamine, Benadryl, Steroid creams, with no effect. A dermatologist thinks it's poison ivy and has prescribed a strong course of steroid pills. I'm concerned that if it is Celiac, the steroids won't help and we'll be forced to wait this treatment before starting something that has a better chance of working.

I know I'm asking a lot, but after reading through this forum and fighting with doctors over the years on other issues, I am very concerned that this is going to get much worse before it gets better.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thank you
 

[Scott Adams]

Welcome to the forum Hans!

It's unfortunate that your doctor does not seem to be very supportive of your DH idea. Do you think there is any chance that they would order a celiac disease blood panel, and/or refer you to a dermatologist to do a biopsy on the blisters to determine if it is DH?

If not, then perhaps the next choice would be having her try a 100% gluten-free diet for at least 3 months. If this gave her relief, then she would have her answer.

[susie.lentz]

In my experience, I have had 2 rash break-outs, and they itched like crazy.  First my doctor said that one rash looks like all the other rashes.  Eventually with the second break-out, it was diagnosed as eczema.  An allergy clinic said that people with autoimmune problems like gluten free and other allergies, eczema often occurs.  

[Beverley Ann Johnson]

On 8/11/2021 at 10:18 AM, susie.lentz said:

In my experience, I have had 2 rash break-outs, and they itched like crazy.  First my doctor said that one rash looks like all the other rashes.  Eventually with the second break-out, it was diagnosed as eczema.  An allergy clinic said that people with autoimmune problems like gluten free and other allergies, eczema often occurs.  

I was diagnosed with granuloma annulare and the Dr said my rash was not gluten related but I do believe so.  Every time I eat something with wheat I get sick, vomit, headache, muscle pain, mostly vomiting 5 minutes after consumption and then later the itch and granuloma!  I think gluten is the source of many skin outbreaks, our immune system is telling us something is not right.  I also may be lactose intolerant.  

 

[Scott Adams]

6 hours ago, Beverley Ann Johnson said:

I was diagnosed with granuloma annulare and the Dr said my rash was not gluten related but I do believe so.  Every time I eat something with wheat I get sick, vomit, headache, muscle pain, mostly vomiting 5 minutes after consumption and then later the itch and granuloma!  I think gluten is the source of many skin outbreaks, our immune system is telling us something is not right.  I also may be lactose intolerant.  

 

Gluten has been linked to dozens of issues which you can read more about in the category below, but I've not seen research on it being linked to granuloma annulare. It's certainly possible though.

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-amp-related-diseases-and-disorders/

 

[Beverley Ann Johnson]

27 minutes ago, Scott Adams said:

Gluten has been linked to dozens of issues which you can read more about in the category below, but I've not seen research on it being linked to granuloma annulare. It's certainly possible though.

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-amp-related-diseases-and-disorders/

 

Thanks for those links.  I just had another huge flare, I am on the low fodmap, so had gluten free pasta with tomatoes for dinner and lactose free yogurt with a few blue berries. I cooked regulate pasta for my husband and the smell almost made me sick (someone else mentioned that too in another comment) so strange as this is the first time it has happened to me.  5 minutes after eating, I got a headache, vomiting, I vomited more than what I ate;  I have been taking apple cider vinegar before meals to help with IBS or probable SIFO so that came up too.  Then my muscles go weak (this happened before as well) I also have fibromyglia, and then two new granulomas!  Any advise will be appreciated.

 

[Scott Adams]

I know people can be very picky about their pasta...has your husband tried Barilla or Schar gluten-free pastas? Many non-gluten-free people can't tell the difference. I wonder if he'd switch over?

[Beverley Ann Johnson]

On 4/11/2022 at 12:30 PM, Scott Adams said:

I know people can be very picky about their pasta...has your husband tried Barilla or Schar gluten-free pastas? Many non-gluten-free people can't tell the difference. I wonder if he'd switch over?

No, not yet but that is a good idea, I won't tell him just to see if he notices the difference, he might.

 

[Scott Adams]

Let us know how it goes! 

[Beverley Ann Johnson]

Just now, Scott Adams said:

Let us know how it goes! 

No problem🙂

 

[RedFacedJock]

In my experience, Steroid Creams are never a good idea, particularly for rashes. You need to calm the skin and all Steroids will do is thin the skin out.

If you suspect the rash was triggered by an allergy, then taking antihistamines for a couple of weeks may help to settle things back down.

If it is Celiac, cutting Gluten and Lactose out of the diet is an absolute must and taking a daily multi-strain probiotic would also be beneficial. Iron and Folic Acid may also help to relieve many of the symptoms, as there is usually a deficiency when it comes to Celiac Disease.

[Beverley Ann Johnson]

6 hours ago, RedFacedJock said:

In my experience, Steroid Creams are never a good idea, particularly for rashes. You need to calm the skin and all Steroids will do is thin the skin out.

If you suspect the rash was triggered by an allergy, then taking antihistamines for a couple of weeks may help to settle things back down.

If it is Celiac, cutting Gluten and Lactose out of the diet is an absolute must and taking a daily multi-strain probiotic would also be beneficial. Iron and Folic Acid may also help to relieve many of the symptoms, as there is usually a deficiency when it comes to Celiac Disease.

I was prescribed steroid cream for my GA but to be used only in the beginning when the lesions were raised, once they flatten I was told to stop use and let it heal on its own.  I am anxious to see if they will totally disappear with the gluten-free diet.  I still have big scars from last years outbreaks.

 

[Scott Adams]

Some people have reported that Ben-Gay cream helps relieve the itching, and also a 5% lidocane cream (which can be bought over the counter in the USA).

[knitty kitty]

6 hours ago, Beverley Ann Johnson said:

I was prescribed steroid cream for my GA but to be used only in the beginning when the lesions were raised, once they flatten I was told to stop use and let it heal on its own.  I am anxious to see if they will totally disappear with the gluten-free diet.  I still have big scars from last years outbreaks.

 

Hello,

I was wondering if you had been tested for diabetes.

I found this interesting article....

Association of Granuloma Annulare With Type 2 Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, Autoimmune Disorders, and Hematologic Malignant Neoplasms

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34106218/

And this one....

Response of generalized granuloma annulare to high-dose niacinamide

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6225398/

I can speak from personal experience that my skin health improved dramatically with increasing my Niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B3).  Vitamin C and Vitamin A are also beneficial.  Remember that Celiac Disease causes malabsorption of vitamins like these and deficiencies can manifest in the skin.  

Hope this helps.

[Beverley Ann Johnson]

On 4/20/2022 at 5:46 PM, knitty kitty said:

Hello,

I was wondering if you had been tested for diabetes.

I found this interesting article....

Association of Granuloma Annulare With Type 2 Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, Autoimmune Disorders, and Hematologic Malignant Neoplasms

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34106218/

And this one....

Response of generalized granuloma annulare to high-dose niacinamide

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6225398/

I can speak from personal experience that my skin health improved dramatically with increasing my Niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B3).  Vitamin C and Vitamin A are also beneficial.  Remember that Celiac Disease causes malabsorption of vitamins like these and deficiencies can manifest in the skin.  

Hope this helps.

Thanks for that.  There is a history of diabetes in my family, my father and mother both.  I was tested some time back.  I don't think I have but would be a good idea to get checked again.  Yesterday I made organic millet for dinner with veggies but I got so sick afterwards, then notice the packaged said, "may contain wheat", not a good choice for me, still feeling the aftermath of that bout.

 

[Anniehall]

On 8/4/2021 at 12:42 PM, HansG said:

A few days ago my wife presented with a severe rash. At first we thought it was poison ivy or poison oak, but it has spread all over and appears more like a DH Rash. I've never seen poison ivy spread like this and it is not stopping. It really does look like what we found online as a DH Rash. Although there are several places where the rash appears as a grouping of three small "bites".
She has always had a dairy intolerance and seems to have a few, not all, of the other symptoms associated with Celiac. It does make sense that it would appear in her life now for a few reasons.
We've tried Calamine, Benadryl, Steroid creams, with no effect. A dermatologist thinks it's poison ivy and has prescribed a strong course of steroid pills. I'm concerned that if it is Celiac, the steroids won't help and we'll be forced to wait this treatment before starting something that has a better chance of working.

I know I'm asking a lot, but after reading through this forum and fighting with doctors over the years on other issues, I am very concerned that this is going to get much worse before it gets better.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thank you
 

Please read my post about vitamin C and lysine. I once had blisters all over my body and thought it was poison ivy. 

[Anniehall]

On 4/10/2022 at 5:11 PM, Scott Adams said:

Gluten has been linked to dozens of issues which you can read more about in the category below, but I've not seen research on it being linked to granuloma annulare. It's certainly possible though.

https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/celiac-disease-amp-related-diseases-and-disorders/

 

I at one point in my life developed lactose intolerance. I had thrush throughout my body even in my throat and then the lactose intolerance began. Any time I ate dairy I'd had stomach cramps and diarrhea. If you go to the health food store look for the lactase enzyme. It helps the body break down lactose. I took lactase for two months after developing the lactose intolerance and then no longer had to take lactase and the intolerance went away. Now low fat dairy is my staple food because there's no saturated fat and I don't have skin reactions to it like I do with most grains, gluten cross reactives, certain veggies, certain fruits, nuts, and seeds.