Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Dermatitis Herpefiformis


Lunai

Recommended Posts

Lunai Newbie

This is my first entry as a newcomer to the forum. I was diagnosed with Celiac the day before Canadian Thanksgiving in October/06. What a challenge with dealing with the new diagnosis, having a house full of company and having tons of prepared food which I could no longer eat. I am still finding it a challenge. Some weeks I think I've finally mastered it and feel no pain etc. and then I go and do something wrong. The troublesome part is that I'm not sure what I've done. I'm trying very hard to do the right things and am sticking to the diet to the "T" (I think). :) I'm sure you've heard it all before. Anyway, to the question: Several months ago I began to get these little red spots at random on my face.......one or two beside my nose.....maybe one by my eye etc. They are quite small and can be bright red or just pink. They get kind of a prickly itch at times and take forever to go away. I think one is finally fading and then it will return the next day etc. A larger one appeared on my cheek that I initially thought was a large pimple but it never came to a head....possibly a bit of watery liquid on the top but it didn't look like a blister. It too took a long time to heal and I'm still sporting the red mark it left behind. It's the only big one I've had. Does this sound like HD? I've read that Dapsone is the medication of choice by dermatologists but I'm allergic to Sulpha and the side effects don't sound too pretty. I really don't think my condition is severe enough to merit such a powerful drug but would like some advice to get rid of it. Has anyone had any success with any over the counter medications to treat HD? I'm using 0.05% Hydrocortisone Creme at present (probably more than I should), but am looking for other possibilities. Thanks for any help.

  • 2 weeks later...

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Lillian Newbie
This is my first entry as a newcomer to the forum. I was diagnosed with Celiac the day before Canadian Thanksgiving in October/06. What a challenge with dealing with the new diagnosis, having a house full of company and having tons of prepared food which I could no longer eat. I am still finding it a challenge. Some weeks I think I've finally mastered it and feel no pain etc. and then I go and do something wrong. The troublesome part is that I'm not sure what I've done. I'm trying very hard to do the right things and am sticking to the diet to the "T" (I think). :) I'm sure you've heard it all before. Anyway, to the question: Several months ago I began to get these little red spots at random on my face.......one or two beside my nose.....maybe one by my eye etc. They are quite small and can be bright red or just pink. They get kind of a prickly itch at times and take forever to go away. I think one is finally fading and then it will return the next day etc. A larger one appeared on my cheek that I initially thought was a large pimple but it never came to a head....possibly a bit of watery liquid on the top but it didn't look like a blister. It too took a long time to heal and I'm still sporting the red mark it left behind. It's the only big one I've had. Does this sound like HD? I've read that Dapsone is the medication of choice by dermatologists but I'm allergic to Sulpha and the side effects don't sound too pretty. I really don't think my condition is severe enough to merit such a powerful drug but would like some advice to get rid of it. Has anyone had any success with any over the counter medications to treat HD? I'm using 0.05% Hydrocortisone Creme at present (probably more than I should), but am looking for other possibilities. Thanks for any help.

Hi Lunai. small dose of doxycyline works for me for about two weeks at a time, about 3 times a year. Also some of the dairy products could cause the rash. I'm staying away from Dapsone myself. But chances are you are getting some glutens in you without you knowing. Remember, tons of foods are laced with wheat. Check the labels. Ask for oil, vinegar, lemon for salads in restaurants, or bring your own gluten free dressing. So many of them contain wheat and you don't even know it. Also, make sure you let your waitress know you are gluten intolerant. You have to be your own advocate. Hope this helps. Lillian

Lunai Newbie

Thanks for your comment Lillian. I will check with the dr. about alternative treatments although I would like the almost immediate results that Dapsone seems to offer. I rarely go to restaurants because I'm afraid to eat anything but my success rate at home hasn't been great either. After 7 months I thought I would be on track with this. Before being diagnosed with celiac in October I didn't have as severe of a reaction to gluton as I do now, nor did I have DH. Two days ago I made tuna patties (canned tuna, egg, gluten-free spices, onion) and this morning I've broken out in new DH spots on my face. Could this be from the iodine in the tuna? If so are there other foods I should be avoiding as well? I did buy lactose free milk to see if that will help matters. What fun eh? Oh well....keeps me humble. :)

barbara123 Apprentice
Thanks for your comment Lillian. I will check with the dr. about alternative treatments although I would like the almost immediate results that Dapsone seems to offer. I rarely go to restaurants because I'm afraid to eat anything but my success rate at home hasn't been great either. After 7 months I thought I would be on track with this. Before being diagnosed with celiac in October I didn't have as severe of a reaction to gluton as I do now, nor did I have DH. Two days ago I made tuna patties (canned tuna, egg, gluten-free spices, onion) and this morning I've broken out in new DH spots on my face. Could this be from the iodine in the tuna? If so are there other foods I should be avoiding as well? I did buy lactose free milk to see if that will help matters. What fun eh? Oh well....keeps me humble. :)

Guess I have been gluten again, woke up this morning with a break out on my butt. (how wonderful) 2 days ago I woke up hurting and achy. I go to the dr on Thursday, hopefully he will run tests I am unconfirmed celiac disease but I have been on gluten-free diet now for 12 days, Haven't vomited since i quit eating gluten. Longest in at least 1 year. :D

Question is can they do biopsy on sores after 4 days?

Also my niece-in-law has celiac disease and she sent me a book called Dangerous Grains Good Book very informative

BRUMI1968 Collaborator

Be aware that lactose isn't the only problem in milk. lactose is the sugar; CASEIN is the protein, and you may have a problem with it as well. You might want to try dairy free for a spell and see if you feel better.

I know nothing of DH, so I can't help there -- but have you checked all your face/hair/tooth products? What about your laundry soap and dishwasher soap. (I was mortified to find out my dish washing soap had wheat in it a few months ago and had to switch.) Dryer sheets? I don't know.

Good luck.

Lunai Newbie

I'm not in the medical field but if the spots are present I see no reason why they couldn't be biopsyed. I haven't had my spots biopsyed because the only spots I have are on my face. I have been dx'ed with celiac since October/06. It was confirmed by endoscopy and the dr. also did a colonoscopy.

I'm glad you're feeling better on the gluten free diet and hope you find out what your problem is so you can get on the road to getting better. I've had my share of ups and downs adjusting to the diet but I know the perseverance is worth it. Take care.

  • 2 weeks later...
SarahCC Rookie

Well you might want to check the ingrediants of the products you are using on your face. I found out that I was using products that had WHEAT! in them! I had to throw away half of my wonderful lotions/sunscreens and some facial products. I don't remember exactly what the names of the Gluten products are in the lotions and bodywashes but If you ask the forum I am sure that they will let you know. There are a lot of very smart folks out there. Good luck with your spots. I have found that if you keep the spots moisturized to a certain extent that they won't itch as much as if they were dry. Again, good luck and make sure to check ALL of your body products, even body spray.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



  • 2 weeks later...
trishydee Rookie

Along those lines....

I was getting super painful pimply-things on my scalp that were driving me crazy. Just for the heck of it, I checked my shampoo ingredients..sure enough, TRESEMME has WHEAT in its shampoo! grrr :angry:

Belinda Meeker Apprentice
Thanks for your comment Lillian. I will check with the dr. about alternative treatments although I would like the almost immediate results that Dapsone seems to offer. I rarely go to restaurants because I'm afraid to eat anything but my success rate at home hasn't been great either. After 7 months I thought I would be on track with this. Before being diagnosed with celiac in October I didn't have as severe of a reaction to gluton as I do now, nor did I have DH. Two days ago I made tuna patties (canned tuna, egg, gluten-free spices, onion) and this morning I've broken out in new DH spots on my face. Could this be from the iodine in the tuna? If so are there other foods I should be avoiding as well? I did buy lactose free milk to see if that will help matters. What fun eh? Oh well....keeps me humble. :)

Check ur oil or wht ever u used to cook them in :o

I have DH and yes u could have it too, so maybe u r just being cross contaminated or not seeing the hidden clues I know from experience that if I eat one tiny minute of wheat, gluten or any of thier buddy's my DH flairs up and my hubby's looks just like ur's sounds, so try to watch ur soap's face creams, lip stick's or drink's too (always have to cotinue to be a lable reader even if u think it is wheat/gluten free they cold change) :(

Good luck hope u find the source !

We use TING can find it at Wal-Mart :)

Belinda

Belinda Meeker Apprentice
Thanks for your comment Lillian. I will check with the dr. about alternative treatments although I would like the almost immediate results that Dapsone seems to offer. I rarely go to restaurants because I'm afraid to eat anything but my success rate at home hasn't been great either. After 7 months I thought I would be on track with this. Before being diagnosed with celiac in October I didn't have as severe of a reaction to gluton as I do now, nor did I have DH. Two days ago I made tuna patties (canned tuna, egg, gluten-free spices, onion) and this morning I've broken out in new DH spots on my face. Could this be from the iodine in the tuna? If so are there other foods I should be avoiding as well? I did buy lactose free milk to see if that will help matters. What fun eh? Oh well....keeps me humble. :)

Check ur oil or wht ever u used to cook them in :o

I have DH and yes u could have it too, so maybe u r just being cross contaminated or not seeing the hidden clues I know from experience that if I eat one tiny minute of wheat, gluten or any of thier buddy's my DH flairs up and my hubby's looks just like ur's sounds, so try to watch ur soap's face creams, lip stick's or drink's too (always have to cotinue to be a lable reader even if u think it is wheat/gluten free they cold change) :(

Good luck hope u find the source !

We use TING can find it at Wal-Mart :)

Belinda

Belinda Meeker Apprentice
Check ur oil or wht ever u used to cook them in :o

I have DH and yes u could have it too, so maybe u r just being cross contaminated or not seeing the hidden clues I know from experience that if I eat one tiny minute of wheat, gluten or any of thier buddy's my DH flairs up and my hubby's looks just like ur's sounds, so try to watch ur soap's face creams, lip stick's or drink's too (always have to cotinue to be a lable reader even if u think it is wheat/gluten free they cold change) :(

Good luck hope u find the source !

We use TING can find it at Wal-Mart :)

Belinda

oops didn't know it came thru sorry :(

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,979
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    volivier
    Newest Member
    volivier
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      @tiffanygosci, Hello.  I apologize for your thread being hijacked.   I recognize your symptoms as being similar to what I experienced, the migraines, food and chemical sensitivities, hives, nausea, the numbness and tingling, joint pain, tummy problems, sleep problems, emotional lability, and the mom brain.  My cycle returned early after I had my son, and I became pregnant again with all my symptoms worsening.  Unfortunately, I lost that baby.  In hindsight, I recognized that I was suffering so much from Thiamine deficiency and other nutritional deficiencies that I was not able to carry it.   Celiac Disease affects the absorption of nutrients from our food.  There's eight B vitamins that must be replenished every day.  Thiamine Vitamin B1 becomes depleted first because it cannot be stored very long, less than two weeks.  Other B vitamins can be stored for two months or so.  But Thiamine can get low enough to produce symptoms in as little as three days.  As the thiamine level gets lower, symptoms worsen.  Early symptoms like fatigue and anxiety are often attributed to life situations, and so frequently go unrecognized by medical professionals who "have a pill for that".   I used to get severe migraines and vomiting after gluten consumption.  Thiamine and the other B vitamins are needed to turn carbohydrates, fats and proteins into fuel for our bodies.  With a large influx of carbohydrates from gluten containing foods, the demand for Thiamine increases greatly.  Available thiamine can be depleted quickly, resulting in suddenly worsening symptoms.  Emotional stress or trauma, physical activity (athletes and laborers) and physiological stresses like pregnancy or injury (even surgery or infection) increase the need for Thiamine and can precipitate a thiamine insufficiency. Pregnancy requires more thiamine, not just for the mother, but for the child as well.  The mother's Thiamine stores are often depleted trying to meet the higher demand of a growing fetus.  Thiamine insufficiency can affect babies in utero and after birth (autism, ADHD).  Having babies close together doesn't allow time for the mother to replenish thiamine stores sufficiently.   Thiamine insufficiency can cause migraines, pins and needles (paresthesia), and gastrointestinal Beriberi (gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, back pain).   Thiamine deficiency can cause blurry vision, difficulty focusing, and affect the eyes in other ways.  Thiamine deficiency can damage the optic nerves.  I have permanent vision problems.  High histamine levels can make your brain feel like it's on fire or swelling inside your cranium.  High histamine levels can affect behavior and mood.  Histamine is released by Mast Cells as part of the immune system response to gluten.  Mast Cells need Thiamine to regulate histamine release.  Mast Cells without sufficient thiamine release histamine at the slightest provocation.  This shows up as sensitivities to foods, smelly chemicals, plants, and dust mites.  Thiamine and the other B vitamins are needed to lower histamine levels.  Vitamin D is needed to calm the immune system and to regulate our hormones.  Menstrual irregularities can be caused by low Vitamin D.   Celiac Disease is a disease if Malabsorption of Nutrients.  We must take great care to eat a nutritionally dense diet.  Our bodies cannot make vitamins.  We must get them from what we eat.  Supplementation with essential vitamins and minerals is warranted while we are healing and to ensure we don't become deficient over time.  Our bodies will not function properly without essential vitamins and minerals.  Doctors have swept their importance under the rug in favor of a pill that covers the symptoms but doesn't resolve the underlying issue of malnutrition. Do talk to your doctor and dietician about checking for nutritional deficiencies.  Most blood tests for the eight B vitamins do not reflect how much is available or stored inside cells.  Blood tests reflect how much is circulating in the blood stream, the transportation system.  Blood levels can be "normal" while a deficiency exists inside cells where the vitamins are actually used.  The best way to see if you're low in B vitamins is to take a B Complex, and additional Thiamine and look for improvement.   Most vitamin supplements contain Thiamine Mononitrate, which is not easily absorbed nor utilized by the body.  Only thirty percent of thiamine mononitrate listed on the label is absorbed, less is actually utilized.  This is because thiamine mononitrate is shelf stable, it won't breakdown sitting on a shelf in the grocery store.  It's so hard to breakdown, our bodies don't absorb it and can't turn it into a form the body can use.  Take Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine or TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) which the body can utilize much better.  (Ask for an Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity test for Thiamine level.  Though not accurate, this test does better picking up on a thiamine deficiency than a blood test.) Are you keeping your babies on a gluten free diet?  This can prevent genetically susceptible children from developing Celiac Disease.  
    • trents
      @Riley, on this forum we sometimes get reports from people with similar experiences as you. That is, their celiac disease seems to go into remission. Typically, that doesn't last. At age 18 you are at your physical-biological peek in life where your body is stronger than it will ever be and it is able to fight well against many threats and abuses. As Wheatwacked pointed out, absence of symptoms is not always a reliable indicator that no damage is being done to the body. I was one of those "silent" celiacs with no symptoms, or at least very minor symptoms, whose body was being slowly damaged for many years before the damage became pronounced enough to warrant investigation, leading to a diagnosis. By that time I had suffered significant bone demineralization and now I suffer with back and neck problems. Please, if you choose to continue consuming gluten, which I do not recommend, at least get tested regularly so that you won't get caught in the silent celiac trap down the road like I did. You really do not outgrow celiac disease. It is baked into the genes. Once the genes get triggered, as far as we know, they are turned on for good. Social rejection is something most celiacs struggle with. Being compliant with the gluten free diet places restrictions on what we can eat and where we can eat. Our friends usually try to work with us at first but then it gets to be a drag and we begin to get left out. We often lose some friends in the process but we also find out who really are our true friends. I think the hardest hits come at those times when friends spontaneously say, "Hey, let's go get some burgers and fries" and you know you can't safely do that. One way to cope in these situations is to have some ready made gluten-free meals packed in the fridge that you can take with you on the spot and still join them but eat safely. Most "real" friends will get used to this and so will you. Perhaps this little video will be helpful to you.  
    • Wheatwacked
      @Riley., Welcome to the forum.   It was once believed that Celiac Disease was only a childhood disease and it can be outgrown.  That was before 1951, before gluten was discovered to be cause of Celiac Disease, also called Infantilism.  Back then Cileac Disease was thought to be only a gastro intestinal disease, once you  "outgrew" the colicky phase, you were cured. You were so lucky to be diagnosed at 5 years old so your developing years were normal.  Gluten can affect multiple systems.  The nervous system, your intellegence. The muscules, skeleton. It can cause neurological issues like brain fog, anxiety, and peripheral neuropathy.  It can cause joint pain, muscle weakness, and skin rashes. Epilepsy is 1.8 times more prevalent in patients with celiac disease, compared to the general population. Because through malabsorption and food avoidances, it causes vitamin D and numerouus other essential nutrient deficiencies, it allows allergies, infections, poor growth, stuffy sinuses and eustacian tubes. There is even a catagory of celiac disease called "Silent Celiac".  Any symptoms are explained away as this, that or the other thing. Gluten is one of the most addictive substances we consume.  Activating the Opiod receptors in our cells, it can numb us to the damage that it, and other foods are causing.  It has become socially acceptable to eat foods that make us feel sick.  "There's a pill for that".   It is generally accepted that n fact you are weird if you don't. The hardest part is that if you don't eat gluten you will feel great and think why not.  But slowly it will effect you, you'll be diagnosed with real diseases that you don't have. You'll be more susseptable to other autoimmune diseases.  As you read through the posts here, notice how many are finally dianosed, after years of suffering at older ages.  Is it worth it? I think not. Perhaps this book will help:  Here is a list of possible symptoms:   
    • Riley.
      Hi! Im Riley, 18 years old and have been diagnosed for 13 years.. the testing started bc I stopped growing and didn’t gain any weight and was really small and thin for my age.  I got diagnosed when I was 5 and have been living gluten free since, in elementary and middle school it was hard for me and I kept contaminating myself bc I wanted to fit in with my friends so so badly. I ate gluten secretly at school and mostly regretted it 30 minutes later.  I’ve had symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, headaches, stomachaches, threw up a lot and was really emotional.  In 2022 I really started working on myself and tried to stay gluten free and if I did eat gluten I wouldn’t tell anyone and suffer in silence.  Last year in July I begged my mom to let me „cheat“ one day bc I just wanted to fit in… I ate a lot of different stuff, all the stuff I missed out on in my childhood like nuggets, pizza and all that.. I didn’t have symptoms that day and was doing really fine My mom and I wanted to test how far we can go and said we would test it for 12 weeks to get my blood taken after to see if I’m doing good or if symptoms start showing  As a now 18 year old girl who finally gained a normal weight and doesn’t get symptoms I’m to scared to get tested/my blood taken cuz I finally found comfort in food and it got so much easier for me and my family.  A year and 4 months later i still didn’t get any symptoms and have been eating gluten daily.  I’m scared to get tested/my blood taken cuz what if I’m actually not fine and have to go back to eating gluten free. Any tips to get over that fear and „suck it up“ cuz I know I could seriously damage my body… sorry if I seem like a idiot here… just don’t really know what to do :,)
    • Mari
      There is much helpful 'truth' posted on this forum. Truths about Celiac Disease are based on scientific research and people's experience. Celiac disease is inherited. There are 2 main Celiac 'genes' but they are variations of one gene called HLa - DQ What is inherited when a person inherits one or both of the DQ2 or the DQ8 is a predisposition to develop celiac disease after exposure to a environmental trigger. These 2 versions of the DQ gene are useful in diagnosing  celiac disease but there are about 25 other genes that are known to influence celiac disease so this food intolerance is a multigenic autoimmune disease. So with so many genes involved and each person inheriting a different array of these other genes one person's symptoms may be different than another's symptoms.  so many of these other genes.  I don't think that much research on these other genes as yet. So first I wrote something that seem to tie together celiac disease and migraines.  Then you posted that you had migraines and since you went gluten free they only come back when you are glutened. Then Scott showed an article that reported no connection between migraines and celiac disease, Then Trents wrote that it was possible that celiacs had more migraines  and some believed there was a causal effect. You are each telling the truth as you know it or experienced it.   
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.