Could It Be Dh?

[bookmama]

Hello,

Another "do I have DH rash" question. I know it is hard to figure out symptoms over the internet, without seeing the rash. But here is my story:

I am on armour thyroid for hypothyroid, and hydrocortisone for low adrenals. I take vitamins as I can remember.

About six weeks ago I started giving myself b!2 shots. I do this because it is cheaper, more convenient, and doesn't hurt the least bit. Previously I had them done at the doctors office. Those didn't contain preservatives. The home supply does contain preservatives.

At about this same time I accidentally took 2x the amount of iodine I normally take for my thyroid condition. (usually forget to take this, then I took it twice in one day - a hypo moment)

The next day I had a rash on my inner arm that itched. I thought it went away. A week later I started the shots at home. About that time I noticed a rash on my outer forearm. Itchy. It has since spread to the inner forearm, upper arm, other arm, thighs, shins, stomach, and sacral area. The spots are not big blisters like chicken pox. They are small, and occaisionaly when I scratch it feels as it pops. If I scratch hard it seems to relieve the itch for a short while.

The reason I suspect a celiac connection is the suddenness of the rash (I read that on a DH info page) and I have some (my family tells me) gas and bloating, particularly when I have cereal with milk (I no longer eat that)

I also wonder about the iodine triggering this. I have been anemic for a long time. All this together makes me wonder...

Does the rash have to be a blistery rash, or can it be a combination of bumps and blisters? Also, I read that the person can tell when the spots are coming up to a day before, because an area is itchy, then the spots or blisters will appear up to a day later. I noticed that I thought I was causing the bumps because I would scratch, then they would appear. The same thing...

So any thoughts about this, I would be grateful.

Thank you for listenting (reading)

Julie

[Alona]

From what I've read you don't always have to get blisters and sometimes they are so small that you don't notice them before you scratch them. I get itchy blisters in some places and I get itchy raised spots in others, that don't produce any liquid unless I press on them hard. So I think you totally could have it. I'm going to the derm on Monday to see if I have it.

[flourgirl]

Iodine and ibuprofen cause the DH to flair for me. I had a major rash for weeks last summer. Once that finally cleared, I kept getting minor "flairs" that I've since found the cause. I forget where I saw them...but there is a sight that has pictures. good luck!

[bookmama]

Thank you for the replies. They were both helpful. It does sometimes feel as if I have tiny blisters that pop. I saw a family practice M.D. today. He had no idea what is causing the rash. He had never heard of celiac related rash. He recommended Sarna cream, or prescription strength hydrocortisone. Do you have experience with either of those taking the itch away? Or if it is truly DH, then nothing will help except Dapsone until the gluten anitbodies are gone?

Other questions: Could the iodine overdose have triggered DH? That is when I first noticed any skin changes.

Could DH spread over my whole body in 5-6 weeks? (not yet my face!)

Thank you again.

Julie

[mother1]

I have had DH for many years. Triggered by immunizations when preparing for a trip to Argentina. It took 2 years to diagnose. You need to see a derm. so that a biopsy of a flair up can be sent to the lab. Good luck and don't procrastinate. Once you are diagnosed, life is so much better!

[home-based-mom]

Just anecdotal experience here, but I believe that more iodine than your body needs can cause skin problems - dh or otherwise. I was probably in my 30's or 40's (sorry - age and parenthood kind of blur the time line!) when I figured out that iodized salt made my face look like I was still in my teens.

I figure I get enough iodine from seafood and whatever else I ingest, so I buy plain salt and do better.

[bookmama]

Hi,

Thanks for your helpful replies. The two triggers I can come with are the B12 shots with preservatives, or on accidental overdose of iodine. I am not sure if what I have is DH or just hives. Can DH present as hives? It is driving me nuts! The rash is still spreading, so that it seems like it is hives, but I don't know what the cause is.

Can DH spread body-wide in 6 weeks? I have an appt with a dermatologist in another week - hope I survive that long! I made sure that this doc has experience with DH. If I try gluten-free for a week, will that help the rash, and also, can the rash still be tested? It is a good week to try elimination as I am off work this week for spring break.

I am also hypothyroid and low adrenal. Going on meds for those have helped enormously, but I still do not feel back to my normal self, so I do feel that there is something more that I need to do to feel healthy. I checked, and those meds are gluten-free.

So nice to get such helpful replies.

Julie

[mother1]

Hi,

Thanks for your helpful replies. The two triggers I can come with are the B12 shots with preservatives, or on accidental overdose of iodine. I am not sure if what I have is DH or just hives. Can DH present as hives? It is driving me nuts! The rash is still spreading, so that it seems like it is hives, but I don't know what the cause is.

Can DH spread body-wide in 6 weeks? I have an appt with a dermatologist in another week - hope I survive that long! I made sure that this doc has experience with DH. If I try gluten-free for a week, will that help the rash, and also, can the rash still be tested? It is a good week to try elimination as I am off work this week for spring break.

I am also hypothyroid and low adrenal. Going on meds for those have helped enormously, but I still do not feel back to my normal self, so I do feel that there is something more that I need to do to feel healthy. I checked, and those meds are gluten-free.

So nice to get such helpful replies.

Julie

Going gluten free will help ... maybe not clear it completely in a week, but I think you will experience some relief. You will also be ahead of the game if you are diagnosed. Read every label, that includes lotions, hair products etc. It is so easy to accomplish with regular foods in the beginning, then you can start adding in gluten free products. Turn to food you prepare yourself, fresh meats, veggies, rice, fruit, etc. Avoid restaurants this week and minimize your condiments unless you know they are gluten-free. Your body will start to thank you quickly if it is DH.

[bookmama]

Mother1,

I am wandering around in the kitchen trying to figure out what I can eat! I have rice that is processed on machinery that also processes wheat. Is that a good enough start? I found a gluten-free packet of soup from Thai kitchen. Processed I know, but I'm hungary.

How did you know that the immunizations triggered your DH? Did your DH present as the "classic look" elbows, knees, etc. My rash looks more like combination of measles (where the redness covers wide areas) and very small chicken pox (not really blistery) I have never, ever had a skin condition before, other that acne.

This somewhat a repeat of what I said before, but I am defining what my be the cause of the rash; based on reading, talking to wonderful, experienced people on these forums, and personal health history.

1. It is DH triggered by either the Iodine or preservative in the B12.

2. It is hives triggered by either the Iodine or the preservative in the B12.

3. I do have underlying celiac disease, based on being more "gassy" than other members of my family (husband and kids), mother said she had "colitis or IBS". She was very thin before she died accidentally several years ago, so perhaps she was undiagnosed celiac disease. Also, a feeling of general malaise, that I have had forever.

I want to try going gluten-free asap, but if I do, it will be in the same time frame that the b12 and preservative is clearing my body. (if the preservative ever will, a pharmacist told me it will clear along with the b12, but wonder about it containing thimiserol) I will be seeing a derm next week and can bring all meds, including the B12, for testing, so I suppose that trying gluten-free as much as I can may help in several areas, and won't affect the testing.

Thanks,

Julie

[bookmama]

Other symptons of DH I forgot to mention are roving joint pain (burns rather that aches) and anemia. Right now, since tha rash started, my hip joint burns, sometimes takes my breath away.

Julie

[mother1]

Mother1,

I am wandering around in the kitchen trying to figure out what I can eat! I have rice that is processed on machinery that also processes wheat. Is that a good enough start? I found a gluten-free packet of soup from Thai kitchen. Processed I know, but I'm hungary.

How did you know that the immunizations triggered your DH? Did your DH present as the "classic look" elbows, knees, etc. My rash looks more like combination of measles (where the redness covers wide areas) and very small chicken pox (not really blistery) I have never, ever had a skin condition before, other that acne.

This somewhat a repeat of what I said before, but I am defining what my be the cause of the rash; based on reading, talking to wonderful, experienced people on these forums, and personal health history.

1. It is DH triggered by either the Iodine or preservative in the B12.

2. It is hives triggered by either the Iodine or the preservative in the B12.

3. I do have underlying celiac disease, based on being more "gassy" than other members of my family (husband and kids), mother said she had "colitis or IBS". She was very thin before she died accidentally several years ago, so perhaps she was undiagnosed celiac disease. Also, a feeling of general malaise, that I have had forever.

I want to try going gluten-free asap, but if I do, it will be in the same time frame that the b12 and preservative is clearing my body. (if the preservative ever will, a pharmacist told me it will clear along with the b12, but wonder about it containing thimiserol) I will be seeing a derm next week and can bring all meds, including the B12, for testing, so I suppose that trying gluten-free as much as I can may help in several areas, and won't affect the testing.

Thanks,

Julie

First, have your soup! I also would not worry too much about the rice processing. That is just to cover themselves legally and it would have such a minor trace it won't hurt you. (my logic)

My immunization theory is based on process of elimination. I am told that you carry the DH genetically and something in life triggers it. Also, people who have dh also have celiac. I didn't learn that until 10 years after my diagnosis. I went thru the celiac testing last year and had no sprue in my intestinal tract. The GI says that is because I am on a totally gluten-free diet and have been for so long that my body is clean. Which reminds me, if you are diagnosed, do not abuse your body by using the dapsone as a crutch to eat gluten. You can manage your life gluten free with no problems and keep your liver strong during the process. I took the dapsone for the first few months to clear my body and relieve the symptoms. Then I carried it with me in case I inadvertantly ate something with gluten. I no longer even have the prescription.

I am trying to remember my rash and it was a long time back. My memory is all about the stress of the incessant itching. I had it from my ankles to my breasts. The first places I start to itch today, if something sneaks up to me, are my breasts and my hips. I don't recall having fluid on the rash. I think red and white spots that would end up bleeding from scratching.

[flourgirl]

For me the DH flairs with iodized salt and with anti-inflamitories, like ibuprofen. The gluten-free diet will eventually clear up the rash. I had it positively everywhere and for many weeks. I tried bath soaks, and Calamine lotion (there's a clear one that doesn't look so obvious). While it didn't clear anything up it helped a little with the burning and itching. I was scratching in my sleep! I understand that it can reside in your skin for 2 years? Not sure. I wonder if then, the flairs will stop, too. Hope it goes away quickly for you....keep reading, and keep healing!

[bookmama]

Hi,

Just thought I would update on my gluten-free progress. It hasn't been too difficult to be gluten-free at home. My husband does most of the cooking, he doesn't believe that the rash could be gluten but is humoring me until I get this rash figured out. He thinks that I am reacting to the "pig" medicine (I am on Armour thyroid).

In the meantime, I haven't really noticed a difference in the itchyness, and it is still cropping up in new areas.

I have noticed that I feel lighter in the tummy area, but then I have had a slight virus for the past two days, and haven't had a big appetite. Although, I would be eating lots of carbs anyway, if I could. Could going gluten-free make a difference in how I feel in the tummy after only two days?

I had a test result come back:

IGA TISSUE TRANSGLUTAMINASE AB 3.0 Range: < 20.0- U

Does this mean I am positive (having any antibodies) or negative (under the limit). I also have thyroid disease, but I don't know if it is autoimmune or not. I had a test that showed thyroid antibodies once, then a negative test, and I haven't been tested for antibodies for five years. I read on this site that having thyroid disease can give a false positive, so I don't know if this test means anything for now.

Well, thats all for now.

Julie

[Alona]

I also have thyroid disease, but I don't know if it is autoimmune or not. I had a test that showed thyroid antibodies once, then a negative test

I have hushimoto's thyroiditis, it might be a good idea to have your antibodies checked again since it's been so long, especially if you have autoimmune in your family history, because it can be aquired (I was told since my mother has celiac I will need to be tested for that every 5 years).