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Skin Absorption Of Gluten

lbd

By lbd
in Related Issues & Disorders

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Tallforagirl Rookie
Tallforagirl
Posted
...A person with DH does not necessarily have Celiac...

Actually, a person with DH definitely does have celiac disease. So much so that if you have a skin-biopsy diagnosed case of DH, then it's taken as a diagnosis of celiac disease. No gut biopsy needed.

"Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is the skin manifestation of celiac disease. All patients with DH have celiac disease. It is an intensely itchy rash that usually occurs in the same place for each patient. This may be on the hands or fingers, forearms, buttocks or scalp or anywhere on the body. The rash typically consists of very itchy, small red dots that may develop into blisters or pimples. They are intensely itchy.

The diagnosis is clinical and can be confirmed by biopsy. The biopsy, for best results, needs to be taken from just adjacent to a lesion. The biopsy needs to have special immunofluorescence tests performed on it.

Treatment is first and foremost a gluten-free diet. This results in resolution of the lesions and will prevent new lesions. The diet also will prevent the development of lymphoma, that occurs at an increased rate as in patients with celiac disease. Drugs (Dapsone) may help patients recover from a severe episode, but are not a substitute for the diet. Patients with DH are very sensitive to small amounts of gluten."

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ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
"Dermatitis herpetiformis has also been reported to occur in people with vitiligo, type I diabetes, Sjogren
Lisa16 Collaborator
Lisa16
Posted

I was diagnosed by DH biopsy.

I was told this was a definitive diagnosis.

Furthermore, I believe in my ase it is an advanced form of the disease. Once your body takes to depositiing antibodies in the skin (or around the heart), you have been eating and reacting to gluten for quite awhile.

Lisa16 Collaborator
Lisa16
Posted

Momma Goose, are you telling me that I was mis-diagnosed (yet again?)

Are you telling me that I can go eat gluten again?

Are you saying that this entire year (+) that I have been gluten free was for naught?

Jestgar Rising Star
Jestgar
Posted
Momma Goose, are you telling me that I was mis-diagnosed (yet again?)

Are you telling me that I can go eat gluten again?

Are you saying that this entire year (+) that I have been gluten free was for naught?

I believe what she's saying is that, since the full effects of gluten on the body of someone who cannot process gluten completely are not fully defined, the labels that are applied (gluten intolerant, Celiac Disease, DH, etc.) are inconsistently used. Some people/doctors/sites will call DH celiac disease, others will call them separate disease stemming from one cause, others will say that gluten enteropathy, and perhaps also DH, are secondary to other diseases.

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted
Are you telling me that I can go eat gluten again?

Are you saying that this entire year (+) that I have been gluten free was for naught?

I don't think that she was saying that at all. Leaving aside the question of whether DH and celiac disease are the same or different, the fact remains that the treatment for DH is the strict adherence to a gluten-free diet.

MaryJones2 Enthusiast
MaryJones2
Posted

This is a worthwile read: Open Original Shared Link

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    • Rogol72
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Rogol72 · Posted

      @klmgarland, My dermatitis herpetiformis didn't clear up until I became meticulous about cross contamination. I cut out gluten-free oats and all gluten-free foods, dairy and gluten-free rice. Additionally, getting the right amount of protein for my body weight helped significantly in my body's healing process ... along with supplementing with enough of all the vitamins and minerals ... especially Zinc and Magnesium. I went from 70kg to 82kg in a year. Protein with each meal 3 times daily, especially eggs at breakfast made the difference. I'm not sure whether iodine was a problem for me, but I can tolerate iodine no problem now. I'm off Dapsone and feel great. Not a sign of an itch. So there is hope. I'm not advocating for the use of Dapsone, but it can bring a huge amount of relief despite it's effect on red blood cells. The itch is so distracting and debilitating. I tried many times to get off it, it wasn't until I implemented the changes above and was consistent that I got off it. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is horrible, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  
    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
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