Gluten Reaction Question

[Kuzuchi]

I have suffered for over 15 years with a rash that I can only describe as very small raised bumps that were clear and contained fluid (minature blisters). The itch caused by these bumps was insane. I had them primarily on my hands, between my fingers, on the bottom of my feet, my groin and my legs. Taking an extremely hot shower was literaly like having the best drug in the world. Nothing in the world could feel so good. The hotter the better. I would actually burn my skin sometimes due to the sensation. I finally decided five days ago from research on the internet that it might be due to gluten. I have been on a gluten free diet for five days and my skin is starting to clear up. It has not been this good in years. I am still a little itchy with my hands, but the rash is drying up and the skin is actually splitting in places from from where the rash was. Things are really going well; however, how long will it take to get gluten out of my system? Also, I do not have any problem with my intestines as far as I know. Do you think my lower intestine has signs of damage? My real complaint has been the rash and the itch. Any comments or feedback would be appreciated.

[Lisa]

If you have Dermatitis Herpetiformis, you do have Celiac Disease. A doctor can biopsy these blisters during an outbreak for a diagnosis.

[RoseTapper]

I didn't have any intestinal/stomach problems until I was 46; otherwise, my digestion had been perfect before then, too. However, I experienced DH from about the age of 20. If your rash goes away after eating gluten-free, you probably do have celiac (you could always test your theory and eat some gluten, and if the rash comes back, BINGO!, you have DH and celiac). Quite frankly, so few dermatologists know how to biopsy DH correctly, it might be a waste of your time to have this procedure done. However, if you DO have DH, you will definitely need to follow a gluten-free diet for the rest of your life because damage IS being done to your small intestine.

[Kuzuchi]

Rose Tapper, it is interesting that you say that few dermotologists know how to treat it, because I have been to many of them and most of them would always look at it and prescribe a cream. No matter how hard I tried to tell them that I thought it was related to something I eat, they never wanted to listen. How long does it actually take to get this stuff out of your system? Even though I am much, much better, I still am having some mild itching. I just cannot believe how the texture of my skin has changed. I feel like my skin is 20 years younger.

[RoseTapper]

From what I have read on this Forum, the time period can vary. For me, my skin cleared up very quickly, though the scars took some time to disappear. However, they reappear after I've been accidentally glutened, so it is going to be a lifetime battle. You might try eliminating both iodine (which can be found in milk and dairy products, depending on where you live) and gluten for best results.

My experience with dermatologists has been dismal! I suffered from DH so severe on my face, I hardly any skin left on it....only shopped at night because children would point at me and say, "Mommy, what's wrong with that lady's face?" Still, dermatologists insisted that it was simply a very bad case of acne, and they kept prescribing lotions that just made the DH worse. I kept telling them that it was something I was eating and that I strongly suspected iodine, but they said that since iodine is only found in iodized salt and seafood--and I had eliminated those foods--my theory was all wrong. However, in my case, the iodine was in the milk produced and sold in the new part of the county where I had moved. My DH started just two months after I moved to our new home, and it lasted for four years--when I finally read an article that stated that milk west of the Rockies tends to be high in iodine. After eliminating all dairy immediately, my DH cleared up very quickly. I have since returned to drinking milk because I use an organic brand that doesn't have iodine in it.

Good luck!

[Alona]

Yeah, you'll need a biopsy of healthy skin near the rashy area. But you could be in the same boat as I appear to be in (your rash sounds a lot like mine). My biopsies came back negative for DH and consistant with atopic-dermatitis, but my rash got much, MUCH better on a gluten free diet. My derm told me it was coinsidence. But I did a lot of reading on the internet and saw that it can be triggered and aggrivated by foods, including wheat. Of course all the online "experts" roaming around told me that was impossible, but I called an Allergist's office (am going to see him Monday) and was told by the nurse that I had called the right place and they see it quite often.

So if your biopsy comes back negative for DH, do some of your own testing with your diet and then think about seeing an Allergist. Don't give up until you're satisfied with the answers you get and the treatment you received... too many people have been like me and just floated along believing what my derms have told me... "there is no cause."