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Dh Or Just A Rash

little d

By little d
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

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little d Enthusiast
little d
Posted

OK quick question, I have had this happen repeatedly and never thought anything of it. I have now Blistery itchy rash in a cluster and it does burn alitte but not much it started last week it really itched to the point of almost bleeding that has crusted over and now on my wrist on the pinky side about the size of a dime some blisters have crusted over and I still have a couple left, if I leave them alone I'm fine somewhat. I am going to doctor tommarrow to see what my family doc has to say about it might be. but I am supecting that I could be DH. I have had this happen quite a bit in the past never went to the doc to check it out. Can a primar doc do a biopsy if they have the resources to do it which I think that they can they have a lab and x ray and stuff. Or does a Dermatoligst have to get the biopsy.

Donna

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Lillian Newbie
Lillian
Posted
OK quick question, I have had this happen repeatedly and never thought anything of it. I have now Blistery itchy rash in a cluster and it does burn alitte but not much it started last week it really itched to the point of almost bleeding that has crusted over and now on my wrist on the pinky side about the size of a dime some blisters have crusted over and I still have a couple left, if I leave them alone I'm fine somewhat. I am going to doctor tommarrow to see what my family doc has to say about it might be. but I am supecting that I could be DH. I have had this happen quite a bit in the past never went to the doc to check it out. Can a primar doc do a biopsy if they have the resources to do it which I think that they can they have a lab and x ray and stuff. Or does a Dermatoligst have to get the biopsy.

Donna

Hi little d, I have DH too. It's on and off- on my leg between my knee and my ankle. I sometimes use a little make up to cover it up if I wear shorts or skirts. Nobody has to know. Your gastroenterologist- the specialist that diagnosed you, should see you. He'lll know if it's DH, which means you are probably getting some glutens into your system. You might have to fine tune your eating habits again. I know that when I get the rash, within a couple days, my stomach acts up a little. I'm pretty gluten free now, been gluten intolerant for about a year and a half- not easy but totally doable. My specialist gave me antibiotics for the rash- doxycycline- a mild dose. Don't let them put you on Dapsone- heard it's strong, your liver has to be checked and that's for people that can't function on a daily basis because of the itching. Hope this helps! Lillian

little d Enthusiast
little d
Posted
  • Author

Hi Lillian (beautiful name)

Welcome to the board, no I have not been diagnose with anything all my test blood, biopsys, scopes all negative, since September I think so I had started eating regular food again off and on with the gluten free more off than on sometimes i'll get aleast 3 days of glutem free but I know that is not enough and I think that now that I have been having problems the last 3 days with d and my possible DH on my wrist that should be enough of a testoment to myself to get back on track. I know that there are people saying we told you so ;)

Ok so I can call my GI and tell him that I have a possible case of DH and he can referr me to a dermatolgist to get tested or how does that work

donna

Lillian Newbie
Lillian
Posted
Hi Lillian (beautiful name)

Welcome to the board, no I have not been diagnose with anything all my test blood, biopsys, scopes all negative, since September I think so I had started eating regular food again off and on with the gluten free more off than on sometimes i'll get aleast 3 days of glutem free but I know that is not enough and I think that now that I have been having problems the last 3 days with d and my possible DH on my wrist that should be enough of a testoment to myself to get back on track. I know that there are people saying we told you so ;)

Ok so I can call my GI and tell him that I have a possible case of DH and he can referr me to a dermatolgist to get tested or how does that work

donna

Hi little d, Your GI can see you and tell you if it's DH or not. You don't need a dermatologist also. Get a prescription from your GI. He should be your case manager, that's it unless you can't function because of the itching. Also, I have found that we know more about our own bodies and reactions than the doctors a this point. So as you tighten your diet and stay 100% gluten free as much as possible, you should notice a change. Don't forget this is an autoimmune condition and we'll have it the rest of our lives. So yah, it is up to us to be careful and hang in there. Believe me, I'm with you. The antibiotic makes me nauseous, but it's worth it 2-3 times a year. Lillian

little d Enthusiast
little d
Posted
  • Author

but I have never been diagnosed with this I am just assuming that this is what i have because of the reaccurance and its itchyness and blisters that come with it

donna

DebNC84 Apprentice
DebNC84
Posted
but I have never been diagnosed with this I am just assuming that this is what i have because of the reaccurance and its itchyness and blisters that come with it

donna

If it walks like a duck.... if you don't get the symtoms while gluten free - that would be enough for me - actually it IS enough for me. I occasionally got small occurances of the same rash you are talking about, as long as I can remember - even as a child. at 45 yrs now. I got a full blown rash occurring in several places - I knew nothing about DH and have spent the last 8-9 suffering... going to the doc and hearing - "It's just excema... take less showers - scent free soap - your skin is irritated & dry" and "just learn to live with it" I cut gluten out almost two weeks ago and it's like a miracle! no rash until today! I must have ate something unknowingly - I've got lab work out right now - waiting to hear the diagnosis. But I really don't care what they say - I had other things going on that have ceased as well... so it quacks like a duck too... ;)

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