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Help! I Itch!

mookie03

By mookie03
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

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mookie03 Contributor
mookie03
Posted

OK so i have been gluten free for 10mos now and am feeling great (except for accidental glutenings which do occur but im getting better). My problems before were mainly GI problems and asthma. A few months after i went gluten-free, i developed a terrible rash behind each of my knees. Like literally identical rashes, and at least once a day i have uncontrollable itching. Totally uncontrollable. and when i scratch it hurts like hell but also continues to itch. This has been going on for several months now and im so fed up. Is a biopsy the only day to Dx DH? I so dont want to pay for any more tests... Anyone else have any ideas what else it can be? Thanks guys, u are all always so helpful...

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jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

My son, who is not a Celiac, got an itchy rash behind both knees--like the ones you described. The doctor said it was eczema and prescribed Elocon Cream. It worked well--the doctor also said (and this is if it's eczema) to keep it moisturized. Hope you get to the bottom of it--I know the itching has to be driving you crazy!

mookie03 Contributor
mookie03
Posted
  • Author

Thanks Patti! I have tried using Elidel but it doesnt seem to help. Does anything in particular make his flare up? I cant seem to find a pattern as to what is causing it, but its terrible. And all of the sudden it is skirt season :ph34r:

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

The only trigger seems to be summer (hot weather). Gee, I know Elidel is specificly for eczema--although I've never tried it. I don't know what else to suggest--I'm sure you've tried hydrocortisone cream--the OTC stuff. Have you had a doctor look at it?

Pegster Apprentice
Pegster
Posted

Have you experimented with cortizone creams or ointments? When my daughters get the behind the knees (and inside the elbows) rash, we mix our own "Princess Cream" which is Nivea mixed with hydrocortisone cream. A dermatologist first made this for us, and then we started mixing our own. I just squeeze out a bit of the cortisone and mix it in my hand with a big blob of Nivea. We still call it Princess cream, but the princesses are both in college now! :D

mookie03 Contributor
mookie03
Posted
  • Author

Its strange, b/c it got much worse as the weather got colder, not warmer as i would have expected (like it is very different than heat rash, which i get sometimes from exercising. I was hoping that once it got warmer outside it would get better, but it hasnt. And Elidel almost seems to make it worse!

I will have to try "princess cream" and see how that goes... i am going to the derm in 2 weeks, so hopefully i will get some answers! Till then, trying not to scratch...its so hard!!!

jljeje Newbie
jljeje
Posted
Its strange, b/c it got much worse as the weather got colder, not warmer as i would have expected (like it is very different than heat rash, which i get sometimes from exercising. I was hoping that once it got warmer outside it would get better, but it hasnt. And Elidel almost seems to make it worse!

I will have to try "princess cream" and see how that goes... i am going to the derm in 2 weeks, so hopefully i will get some answers! Till then, trying not to scratch...its so hard!!!

Hi,

I've tried all kinds of creams and ointments too & it's really expensive and time consuming to find one that works. For the last few years, I could use a product from Eucerin called Aquaphor and get pretty good results. It comes in a small tube and a 3.5oz jar (about the size of Ponds). The jar runs about $12, but lasts a very long time. But if you get a script from the doctor, you might try ApexiCon by Pharmaderm. It's the best I've ever used - it's a diflorasome diacetate emollient cream and with my insurance cost about $30. Also, my skin reacts to any weather change - cold or hot. Good Luck to you,

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