Rash

[gramcracker]

I am new to the board and through a series of interactions I have decided to pursue Celiac disease as a possible diagnosis. This has been prompted by numerous conversations with colleagues and especially one physician who if accurate has trumped every doctor at Northwesten, University of Chicago, and Univerisity of Illinois Medical Centers. To say I am frustrated without a diagnosis is an understatement.

The reason I chose "rash" as a topic is because this is my primary symptom and I am wondering if anyone with a confirmed diagnosis has also had a "weird rash" occur as a result of Celiac disease.

The rash started 10 years ago and it appears to be systemic. I have been tested for EVERYTHING (except Celiac Disease), my rash has been biopsied and EVERYTHING checks out normal. The rash appears on my shoulders, spinal cord and underneath by butt and is absolutely symetrical. The rash starts out as a red dot and expands within days of onset and then heals from the inside out. To give you an example of what it looks like, it looks like ring worm when it heals. Physicians at Northwestern diagnosed me with EAC (erythema annulare centrificum) yet they have NEVER seen a single case of it themselves, I would be the first and University of Chicago diagnosed me with an abundance of yeast. The doctor I mentioned above, who suggested I get tested for Celiac diease, thinks that this is a food sensitivity and suggested I have the following tests performed IgG and IGE. I do not know what these letters stand for but have seen these acronyms on this website so hopefully he knows what he is talking about, I am sure someone here can educate me. He feels that I could possibly have a sensitively to gluten.

As a side note, my first cousin was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease after going through two years of testing and being told initially that he had lukemia. A simple blood test, perhaps the above, found he was intolerant to gluten and now he is gaining weight and feeling much better, I don't know if there is a genetic component either. So basically I am just looking for answers and more importantly to know if anyone has experienced a rash as a symptom of this disease. Thanks for any help this forum can provide.

[gramcracker]

  gramcracker said:

I am new to the board and through a series of interactions I have decided to pursue Celiac disease as a possible diagnosis. This has been prompted by numerous conversations with colleagues and especially one physician who if accurate has trumped every doctor at Northwesten, University of Chicago, and Univerisity of Illinois Medical Centers. To say I am frustrated without a diagnosis is an understatement.

The reason I chose "rash" as a topic is because this is my primary symptom and I am wondering if anyone with a confirmed diagnosis has also had a "weird rash" occur as a result of Celiac disease.

The rash started 10 years ago and it appears to be systemic. I have been tested for EVERYTHING (except Celiac Disease), my rash has been biopsied and EVERYTHING checks out normal. The rash appears on my shoulders, spinal cord and underneath by butt and is absolutely symetrical. The rash starts out as a red dot and expands within days of onset and then heals from the inside out. To give you an example of what it looks like, it looks like ring worm when it heals. Physicians at Northwestern diagnosed me with EAC (erythema annulare centrificum) yet they have NEVER seen a single case of it themselves, I would be the first and University of Chicago diagnosed me with an abundance of yeast. The doctor I mentioned above, who suggested I get tested for Celiac diease, thinks that this is a food sensitivity and suggested I have the following tests performed IgG and IGE. I do not know what these letters stand for but have seen these acronyms on this website so hopefully he knows what he is talking about, I am sure someone here can educate me. He feels that I could possibly have a sensitively to gluten.

As a side note, my first cousin was recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease after going through two years of testing and being told initially that he had lukemia. A simple blood test, perhaps the above, found he was intolerant to gluten and now he is gaining weight and feeling much better, I don't know if there is a genetic component either. So basically I am just looking for answers and more importantly to know if anyone has experienced a rash as a symptom of this disease. Thanks for any help this forum can provide.

[gramcracker]

Wow I was really hoping someone would comment or provide a ray of hope based on my post. Anyway, as a new member to the board I thought someone would reply, if anything to say "welcome". I guess I am just feeling like I have for the past 10 years...without support. Thanks anyway.....

[wowzer]

Hello and welcome. I went gluten free after a negative blood test. I have had many different rashes through my life. I had biopsies that came out eczema and spongiotic dermatitis. I have had many improvements after going gluten free, but now I'm having the candida problem. Many of us on here haven't had an official diagnosis. I have a little sister that was diagnosed at a year old, so it does give me some odds that I could be too. Rashes can be a mystery to a doctor. So far most doctors disagree with me except my family doctor. I have many undiagnosed rashes over the years. Many of which look like some of the DH pictures that I have seen. I wish you luck in your diagnosis. Wendy

[Generic]

There isn't always someone on the board at the time of your post, that can answer your questions, so you gotta have patience. (I know it's hard, to though). Sometimes they may miss your post also. Especially if they don't frequent the pre-diagnosis section of the board.

I don't have the rash that goes along with the celiac. But there are several people on here that do. It is called dermatitis herpetiformis. (no relation what-so-ever to herpes as it may sound). You can post in that section and you may get a better response.

As for the rash, I do know that they have to biopsy outside the rash area to get an accurate diagnosis if it is DH. I don't remember how far out, but I know someone could tell you.

As for the ring worm type healing, I know that goes along with being bitten by a lyme infected tick, etc. I think that only happens at the initial bite however. You may want to have that ruled out. CarlaB is a good resource about what labs are the best to use.

Also many times I have heard that the DH rash leaves a purpleish scar as it heals.

I hope that helps you out. Just trying to think of different things for you.

[Kaycee]

  gramcracker said:

The rash starts out as a red dot and expands within days of onset and then heals from the inside out. To give you an example of what it looks like, it looks like ring worm when it heals.

Gramcracker, I have a similar rash as to what you say. The first time I saw it I went to the pharmacist as I was worried it was ringworm, but he said no it's not and he wouldn't have a clue. But it is not itchy, just looks a bit dry and scaly and causes no problems at all. I have only had it about 3 times in the last four years, and lasts for a few weeks to a couple of months, so it is not really a problem and whether it is gluten related I am not sure, as it happens so irregularly. My main problems with gluten are stomach issues.

The fact that your cousin has just been diagnosed could point to you having cealiac as it is hereditary. So go for the tests and hopefully you will find out what is causing your rash.

Cathy

[2kids4me]

It can take a while for a post to get a repsonse, I dont look at every post every day myself. My kids keep me too busy (as noted by signature).

My daughter was plagued by rashes - some like you describe, some were just diffuse red dots..before we found out she was celiac. Sicne going gluten free, the rashes only appear now and then and much less noticable , but she has multiple issues - all of which can cause the odd rash.

Lots of people here and are caring and will help...April gets busy for moms with Easter break, or spring break, report cards and outdoor activities.....then there is TAX time ugh

The original post was the 19th ...often on the weekend, there are less members here. Hope the responses that have come in have helped you.

[zagadka]

i'm new too and kind of in the same boat.

my whole life i have been plagued by odd skin conditions, and was diagnosed as a small child as being allergic to water. yes, you read that correctly- water! there is apparently a name for it, but i honestly believe it is tied into ingesting gluten. i've had so many scratch test, etc, the only thing that showed up was things like pollen and whatnot. my skin is "scarred" in places by pigmentless dots where the itchies occurred. everything has settled down the last 2 months i've been gluten free.

i posted about it in the DH forum. you can read it and see if it sounds like anything you've experienced. our bodies are very mysterious and strange, and i think we've lost touch with them with the evolution of modern medicine.

[gramcracker]

Thank you to all that have replied. Just hearing from everyone makes me feel like I am not crazy. That others out there with confirmed and unconfirmed diagnoses have odd skin conditions. Last night I decided to do a test, while the rashes are somewhat healing since the last outbreak, I decided to eat pizza last night. Low and behold I woke up this morning with several new dots on both shoulders and underneath my armpits. Don't know if it can happen that quickly but I found it interesting none the less. I have been reading a lot on this website and have learned that my bouts with colitis are probably not "normal" nor is the pain in my abdomen and back upon laying down. I guess I thought celiac symptoms would be much more pronounced, more than just a rash and the occasional bout with D, but as I think and read the symptoms I have dealt with much of my life are symptoms of this disease.

Anyway, I do want to apologize for appearing to be impatient on my second post. I got really caught up in the excitement that someone would be able to relate to me and as I can see there are those out there that can. So, thank you for all the advice and please accept my apologize for being impatient. I look forward to getting to know each of you better

gramcracker

[2kids4me]

  Quote

I guess I thought celiac symptoms would be much more pronounced, more than just a rash and the occasional bout with D, but as I think and read the symptoms I have dealt with much of my life are symptoms of this disease.

The symptoms vary greatly! Some can be asymtomatic and others can be debilitated.I have 2 children, both confirmed celiac.

daughter - migraines, neck ache, back ache, stomach aches, fatigue, intermittent fevers and rashes. Bloating and constipation. Gluten free diet eliminated these symptoms.

son - leg pains, wetting the bed and intermittent mild stomach aches, erratic blood sugar Went gluten free and I had a different kid.

Symptoms of celiac - anything really! Its making the connection between ingesting gluten and symptoms. Not ingesting gluten and seeing an improvement in health is a HUGE clue.

Sandy

[trishaz]

Hi I'm new to the site and wanted to tell you a little about what's going on with me.

I had a big surgery on my back a year ago and I developed a rash and many infections, virus's etc. the rash was all over my body, tiny blisters and terrible itch, driving me insane, I would scratch so much I was bleading and taking off the scabs over and over, my GP said he hadn't seen this rash before and though of shingles, herpes, infection from my bone graft, sent me for every blood test, all negative thank goodness, then I was so sick, vomiting and diarreah, I got to see a Dermatologist, he said, you have Dermatitis Herpetiformis, with out a doubt, I said I had flat red lesions in my small intestine and was told 14 years ago it was Celiac the bowel biopsies came back negative ?? so the Dermatologist took biopsies of the blisters and normal area, it came back negative, I told him I didn't eat a lot of the foods he mentioned, as they bothered me, he said that sounded like I was already avoiding Gluten, without realising, I have had blood tests and more biopsies and still negative, I cannot come off the Pnrednisone as the rash is back in minutes ???? he has took me off medications Iv'e been on for years trying to eliminate other allergies ????