Dh Or Allergy

[MJ27]

Hello. I'm a recently diagnosed Celiac with positive blood work in February. In process of scheduling biopsy before going gluten free. Went to an endocrinologist in February with complaints that I had been attributing to thyroid problems--Graves disease/RAI induced hypothyroidism. Long story short, one problem I neglected to mention to dr. was terrible rash, itching, burning underarms. This has been occurring off and on for past couple of years. Switched to crystal deodorant--sometimes irritation with it, sometimes not. However, crystal does nothing for underarm odor. Could this be DH or simply some type of allergy? Sometimes tiny blisters, other times raised red pimples. No other breakouts except under arms. Any recommendations/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Pegster]

DH is typically found on elbows and knees, but can also be in the scalp, on the back and torso, and really just about anywhere on your body. The underarms aren't exactly a classic location for DH, but it's not impossible. I have never had it there, although I think I've had it everywhere else. DH is very itchy with small fluid-filled blisters which slough off easily. It is very itchy and I think the blisters are actually painful. It tends to break out in a symmetrical pattern on both sides of the body. My thyroid isn't working and my Dr. and I've been experimenting with dosages of medication for almost two years to get it under control. My dermatologist knew nothing about the thyroid connection with DH/Celiac and my GP (who diagnosed my thyroid) knows pretty much nothing about celiac! (I received the diagnosis of Thyroid the same day as my positive DH biopsy came back. Boy was I confused!) Anyway, since you have a pretty good idea of your celiac diagnosis, once you go gluten-free, your dh will go away if that's what it is.

[Lillyth]

DH is typically found on elbows and knees, but can also be in the scalp, on the back and torso, and really just about anywhere on your body. The underarms aren't exactly a classic location for DH, but it's not impossible. I have never had it there, although I think I've had it everywhere else. DH is very itchy with small fluid-filled blisters which slough off easily. It is very itchy and I think the blisters are actually painful. It tends to break out in a symmetrical pattern on both sides of the body. My thyroid isn't working and my Dr. and I've been experimenting with dosages of medication for almost two years to get it under control. My dermatologist knew nothing about the thyroid connection with DH/Celiac and my GP (who diagnosed my thyroid) knows pretty much nothing about celiac! (I received the diagnosis of Thyroid the same day as my positive DH biopsy came back. Boy was I confused!) Anyway, since you have a pretty good idea of your celiac diagnosis, once you go gluten-free, your dh will go away if that's what it is.

I have a rash - very symetrical all over my arms. Well, maybe not ALL over, but certainly the spots where I have it on one arm are mirror images of the other arm. I haven't had the blisters - though i have been wheat/barley/rye free since last summer. I was consuming gluten (spelt, oats, kamut) until last month. Then the rash started going away within one month of my going gluten free. I don't know if this is DH, but the fact that the rash started going away so soon after I went gluten-free suggests it might be.

As for underarms, I don't rightly know, though if you shave, that may be part of it. I haven't used underarm deoderant for years, so I can't be much help on that angle...

Are you gluten-free yet?