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What Does Dh Look Like?

loraleena

By loraleena
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

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loraleena Contributor
loraleena
Posted

My ex-husband has had this awful rash come and go for a few years on his legs and arms. It gets worse with stress or illness. It is red itchy scabby and can even form opened sores at times. He recently went through a rough time and it got really bad. He went to a natural energy healer, but has also been eating really healthy for a week. Nothing but brown rice, veggies and meat. Staying away from wheat and gluten. It seems to be starting to heal. He thinks it was the healing, but I think it may be the gluten free diet. Will DH start to heal that quick going gluten free? What exactly does it look like??

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Guest j_mommy
Guest j_mommy
Posted

Here are some sites I found:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

ilah Newbie
ilah
Posted

I have DH and have not found anyone who has had it. Myrash is on my arms, legs, back, and stomach. I am taking antihistamines plus Dapsone and predisone. As soon as I stop taking predisone the itching and breaking out starts again. Is this normal an if so how long does this go on. I have started a gluten-free diet, I am just beginning. Is there any hope at the end of the road?

ellen123 Apprentice
ellen123
Posted

I don't know if what I have is DH but it sounds similar to what many people on this site report. I have only been gluten-free for about a month, and my other symptoms (mainly neurological) are much improved, but I'm still struggling with the rash. Mine are on my legs, arms, and occasionally my stomach. I started noticing about a year ago that I was getting what I though were spider bites or mosquito bites, even when it was not mosquito season and my husband was not getting bitten. Often, I'd see 3 or 4 bumps in a row in the crook of my elbow, one on my stomach, one or two on my leg. The itched like crazy but would go away in a few days. The other thing I had was a more permanent rash on my shins -- I thought shaving my legs might be the problem, but it happened when I stopped shaving my legs. For the most part it was not very irritating but I had a few small scabby-type marks on my leg for much of the year.

The bad news is that now that I've been gluten free for about a month, I seem to get a few new bumps each day, while others heal and go away. Each day, a new one or two arises, and they still itch like crazy! I definitely can trace some of this to a couple of incidents in which I accidentally ate gluten. However, several days after these accidental glutenings, I still have the rash.

But the good news is that my neurological symptoms are so much better, it makes me want to celebrate. I was in so much pain, and now I'm not. Hooray! So I'm guessing that maybe I'm healing from the inside out; that whatever damage was going on in my intestines is healing; that whatever damage I had to the nerves, joints and muscles in my neck is healing; that the nerve damage that was causing me peripheral neuropathy is healing; and that my skin, being on the outside, is the most superficial and perhaps is the first thing to react when I have a gluten episode. Again, this is just a guess.

Because I don't like to take medicines, Benadryl or prednisone is not an option for me, so i just use topical stuff like Calamine Lotion. I am still hoping that after I've stuck with this long enough and become more knowledgeable about accidents and cross-contamination, this itchy, uncomfortable sympton will also resolve. Good luck! Don't give up!

Ellen

itchygirl Newbie
itchygirl
Posted

They kept telling me mine was genital herpes (somehow I do not think my elbows are part of my genitals :lol: ), then it was shingles then somebody finally managed to do a decent biopsy!

Here are some pics

Open Original Shared Link

just search on Dermatitis herpetiformis.

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    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thank you so much for the clarification! Yes to these questions: Have you consulted dietician?  Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies?  Osteoporosis? Thyroid? Anemia?  Do you take any supplements, or vitamins? I’m within healthy range for nutritional tests, thyroid and am not anemic. I do have osteopenia. I don’t take any medications, and the dietician was actually a nutritionist (not sure if that is the same thing) recommended by my physician at the time to better understand gluten free eating.    I almost wish the gluten exposure had triggered something, so at least I’d know what’s going on. So confusing!    Many thanks! 
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      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

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    • JudyLou
      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

      By JudyLou · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty! My feet aren’t dry or ashy and I don’t have a rash that gets scaly. It’s like very itchy/burning vesicles that are symmetrical - on both arms, both legs, etc. They actually feel better in direct sunlight as long as it isn’t really hot or I’m not exercising outside, but gets worse if I sweat (especially if the area is covered up). It’s not usually on the outside of my elbows and knees which seems more typical of dermatitis herpetiformis (unless it spreads there). It tends to first hit the inside of those areas. Interestingly, twice the rash broke out soon after eating an unhealthy meal and having an alcoholic drink (I only drink a few times a year, no more alcohol content than a glass of wine).  So I wonder if there is a connection. I’m halfway considering doing a gluten challenge for a few months to see what happens, knowing I can stop if I have any symptoms, and asking for a full celiac disease panel at the end. I really appreciate your thoughts! 
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