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Only Symmetrical Rash?

mayray

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mayray Newbie
mayray
Posted

I have had what I refer to as a travelling and symmetrical rash for over 20 years. In the past, I visited many dermotologists who could not diagnose and who have only treated my symptoms wih creams, etc.

My question is, is it possible to have celiac and only have the symmetrical rash symptom? Also, benedryl helps my rash. Is this typical of a celiac rash? Stress and warm weather also aggrevate my rash.

I live in a remote part of the US with no dermatologists nearby nor do I have medical insurance. But if it is possible that I have celiac, I would like to try the gluten-free diet to see if it helps at all. Any advice helpful...thanks!

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Fiddle-Faddle Community Regular
Fiddle-Faddle
Posted

I had something similar, that I now assume was DH. It did respond to prednisone and Benadryl--but at the same time, I googled "thyroid rash photos" (since I have had autoimmune thyroid disease for 20 years, I assumed it had something to do with my thyroid), found photos that looked an awful lot like my amazingly symmetrical rash, and found the link with gluten, so I immediately stopped eating gluten.

By the time bloodwork was done,I had been gluten-free for a month, but my IgG was off the charts, so I'm assuming that that was a positive diagnosis and I have no wish to ever go back to gluten.

Hope that helps.

mayray Newbie
mayray
Posted
  • Author

Thanks Fiddle-Faddle. What's DH?

Fiddle-Faddle Community Regular
Fiddle-Faddle
Posted

I'm so sorry! I'm rushing so much, I'm short-handing too much.

DH is short for dermatitis herpetiformis, which is a symmetrical, blistering, terribly itchy-burny rash associated with celiac. Not all celiacs get DH, but ALL people with DH have celiac, even if they have no noticeable intestinal symptoms. Interestingly, many people with DH who do not notice intestinal symptoms DO have intestinal damage, as shown by boipsy.

The good news is, if you are gluten-free, the rash and ALL intestinal damage go away forever (or for as long as you are gluten-free, which ought to be forever). Also, you can order gluten-free flours (to make pancakes, cookies, cakes, biscuits, and yummy breads that taste way better than the prefab gluten-free breads)and pastas and everything you need off the Internet.

A lot of people here on this board have been diagnosed by sending poop samples (yeah, I know, ugh) to Enterolab, and just paying outright if their insurance doesn't cover it. I can't give you feedback on that one because the diet made such a difference for me, I just didn't bother with Enterolab, but a lot of people are interested in finding out whether they have the genes for celiac, or if they are showing definite signs of gluten intolerance or casein intolerance (casein is the protein in milk).

Anyway, google Dermatitis Herpetiformis photo, and see if you can find any pics that resemble your rash!

Lotsa Luck! And welcome, this board is a haven for all of us, no matter where we are!

Canadian Karen Community Regular
Canadian Karen
Posted
I have had what I refer to as a travelling and symmetrical rash for over 20 years. In the past, I visited many dermotologists who could not diagnose and who have only treated my symptoms wih creams, etc.

My question is, is it possible to have celiac and only have the symmetrical rash symptom? Also, benedryl helps my rash. Is this typical of a celiac rash? Stress and warm weather also aggrevate my rash.

I live in a remote part of the US with no dermatologists nearby nor do I have medical insurance. But if it is possible that I have celiac, I would like to try the gluten-free diet to see if it helps at all. Any advice helpful...thanks!

Does it look like a bullseye?

Karen

mayray Newbie
mayray
Posted
  • Author
Does it look like a bullseye?

Karen

No. If you're thinking Lymes disease, there are very few deer ticks where I live. Also, I don't have any fatigue or intestinal symptoms. Just an annoying rash that seems to wax and wane.

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