Info About Biopsy- Please Help

[fedora]

Hi,

I am seeing a dermatologist next week about a mole. Since I will be there already I want to have him look at my rash on my hands. It is DEFINATELY food intolerance related. When I do not eat any wheat, it goes away. When I eat wheat, it comes back. It was diagnosed as dyshidrotic eczema. This is a fluid filled tiny blister rash on hands and feet only. It pops and crusts over. It itches. it can get very bad. The Drs don't know what causes it, but I know mine is dietary related. I was eating more wheat than usual this winter and my rash came back. I read about a lady on here who also has this and hers reacted to gluten and other food intolerances too.

I gave up gluten 2 months ago. No cheating at all. My other health issues that were not effected by wheat have gotten much better. My hands are still breaking out, but just mildly.

I am thinking of getting a DH biopsy done. It has never been done. Regardless, I am never eating gluten again. I know it is a huge problem for me now in othe ways-muscles, joints, mood, digestion.

I feel like if it shows it is DH for sure then it will help me monitor if I get CCed somehow. I have delayed reactions to gluten, not immediate. If it comes back negative, I realize it could still be DH or it could mean I am reacting to something else. I know it takes time for the antibodies to leave the skin, but don't the road it could be helpful.

Any suggestions or advice? Does this sound like DH? I do have it on both hands. This winter I was itching all over without a rash. It was terrible. I do itch on my buttocks, sides, chest, and armpits alot, but nearly as much as before.

About the biopsy, do I need an active blister to get tested accurately? I know to get it next to the rash and not on it. I am worried the little bumps I have will have already crusted over by then. Does that matter?

I have to pay for this myself, so I am not totally sure it is worth it yet.

Thank you!!!

[daveswife]

Hi,

I am seeing a dermatologist next week about a mole. Since I will be there already I want to have him look at my rash on my hands. It is DEFINATELY food intolerance related. When I do not eat any wheat, it goes away. When I eat wheat, it comes back. It was diagnosed as dyshidrotic eczema. This is a fluid filled tiny blister rash on hands and feet only. It pops and crusts over. It itches. it can get very bad. The Drs don't know what causes it, but I know mine is dietary related. I was eating more wheat than usual this winter and my rash came back. I read about a lady on here who also has this and hers reacted to gluten and other food intolerances too.

I gave up gluten 2 months ago. No cheating at all. My other health issues that were not effected by wheat have gotten much better. My hands are still breaking out, but just mildly.

I am thinking of getting a DH biopsy done. It has never been done. Regardless, I am never eating gluten again. I know it is a huge problem for me now in othe ways-muscles, joints, mood, digestion.

I feel like if it shows it is DH for sure then it will help me monitor if I get CCed somehow. I have delayed reactions to gluten, not immediate. If it comes back negative, I realize it could still be DH or it could mean I am reacting to something else. I know it takes time for the antibodies to leave the skin, but don't the road it could be helpful.

Any suggestions or advice? Does this sound like DH? I do have it on both hands. This winter I was itching all over without a rash. It was terrible. I do itch on my buttocks, sides, chest, and armpits alot, but nearly as much as before.

About the biopsy, do I need an active blister to get tested accurately? I know to get it next to the rash and not on it. I am worried the little bumps I have will have already crusted over by then. Does that matter?

I have to pay for this myself, so I am not totally sure it is worth it yet.

Thank you!!!

My husband was recently diagnosed with HD through a biopsy as well, he was told that he should continue to eat gluten as this is the only way they could get an accurate positive reading. They took several samples from the rash on his stomach as well as his forearm. Good luck.

[fedora]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Anyone else?????

Has anyone had a positive biopsy after they stopped eating gluten?

Anyone else just have a rash on their hands that had a positive biopsy?

[Alona]

Hi, I haven't had my biopsy yet, will be in less than 2 weeks though.

I've read someone on a message board say you need to be eating gluten for 6 weeks before the test; however, I've also read articles that say the IgA can stay in your skin for months. I suppose it depends when you have your biopsy, I decided to go gluten free as of Wednesday to see what happens since it's only 2 weeks away.

From what I've read the biopsy is supposed to be done on healthy skin NEAR the rash site, not actually of the rash site. I've also read that iodine can induce the rash, so you could try putting a little medical iodine on your skin to see what happens. I haven't tried it myself though.

[2kids4me]

my experience with biopsies is from clinic situations. Prep of skin is minmal as prep solutions can affect biospy results. With skin, we take a minimum 5 biopsies. 2 from active lesions, 3 resolving lesions, an adjacent area of normal skin, and samples are taken from multiple sites on the body (anywhere lesion is found).

Do not try and use iodine to induce a reaction - it may appear microscopically as an inflammatory reaction to iodine / allergic reaction to iodine.

The skin often shows lesions as systemic response to foods / inhaled allergens etc. they can also be contact lesions (reaction to fabric softeners, laundry soap, or dryer sheets.

Sandy