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Is This Dh?

schuyler

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schuyler Apprentice
schuyler
Posted

Yesterday, my face broke out in these burning red bumps that are incredibly itchy. I went to the doctor on my college campus and all that he could tell me is that they are little blisters. I tried to ask him about celiac and dh, but he had not idea what either of them were (he thought celiac caused shock and I got a blank stare when I mentioned dh). So needless to say, I got very little info from him. I've seen pictures of dh, and it looks a lot like what I have. I know that the only way to get an offical dh diagnosis is to have a skin biopsy, but I can't get in to see my doctor for a few days (and even then, who knows how long it will take to see a dermatoligist). I have a few questions for all of the dh sufferers out there. 1) do my symptoms sound like dh? 2) what can I do to help it go away asap? I have a wedding to go to at the end of the month, and I don't want my face to look like this when I go. 3) Do you have any other advice?

Thanks

Danielle

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lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

DH on the face is not unheard of (although it is unusual) but to have it on your face only would be strange. If you've been strictly gluten-free since January and never had DH before, it would be very unusual to get it now.

The only ways I know to get rid of DH are to be gluten-free and to take dapsone. And I doubt any doctor would prescribe dapsone without first diagnosing it.

richard

schuyler Apprentice
schuyler
Posted
  • Author

I saw my dr today and he argeed with you Richard.He thought it looked like dh, but he said that he thinks something else is causing this. Anyways, he put me on prednisone to help it go away. Hopefully it helps.

CarlaB Enthusiast
CarlaB
Posted

I get blisters on my neck and near my hairline that look like you're describing. I also get a rash on my scalp. I found out that my shampoo had wheat in it, stopped using it, and haven't had this problem since then. I assumed that it must be some kind of allergic reaction since it happened topically.

penguin Community Regular
penguin
Posted

I had a similar situation on my face last week and it was impetigo! It's a staph skin infection and is very contagious, usually found in children. When the blisters break, it spreads as well, and looks ugly.

It clears up pretty quick with a prescription antibiotic cream, though.

I'd look into it...

italiana1981 Newbie
italiana1981
Posted

I also have some strange red bumps on my face-but they do not look like these pictures.

there are no blisters, just bumps.

also, they do not itch.

I did eat gluten last week, but the bumps did not show up until a week later.

One of my eyelids is also puffy.

Could this be a gluten reaction that will pass, or could it be the beginning stage of DH? any ideas?

brendygirl Community Regular
brendygirl
Posted
I also have some strange red bumps on my face-but they do not look like these pictures.

there are no blisters, just bumps.

also, they do not itch.

I did eat gluten last week, but the bumps did not show up until a week later.

One of my eyelids is also puffy.

Could this be a gluten reaction that will pass, or could it be the beginning stage of DH? any ideas?

Hey

I have red bumps on my face and elbows and knees. I am the one who ate pickles last week and hurt dearly for it. Maybe it's my face products?

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schuyler Apprentice
schuyler
Posted
  • Author
I had a similar situation on my face last week and it was impetigo! It's a staph skin infection and is very contagious, usually found in children. When the blisters break, it spreads as well, and looks ugly.

It clears up pretty quick with a prescription antibiotic cream, though.

I'd look into it...

I woke up this morning with another ugly rash on my face, so I went to the dr on campus (not the same dr as before), and he said he had no idea what it was. So, I asked him if it could be impetigo, and it turns out that it is! So, thank you Chelsea for posting about it on here, because if you hadn't, I would not have known to ask about it (and obviously the dr was too dumb to figure it out on his own).

So I get to go to school tomorrow with this really gross stuff on my face ( I can't get out of class because of finals). Sounds like fun <_< .

Thanks Chelsea!!!!!!!

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    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
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      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
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