Dermatitis Herpetiformis Questions

[susanm]

Hi, I had a negative endoscopy, but have been gluten-free since August 2008. Last week, I started getting a really itchy rash. It wasn't helped by antihistamines and steroids didn't do a thing. I've been looking up pictures, and it seems to be fairly consistent with what the celiac rash seems to be.

I have little red dots on my thighs, and my arms and torso itch like crazy, especially at night, and they have red spots on them too. I know I did something stupid last week. I was making myself rice pasta. I scooped out my pasta and put in my son's wheat pasta to cook. When I was draining his pasta, I started picking at the last pieces of rice pasta that didn't get scooped out and ate them. I know, dumb, but it didn't dawn on me until I started getting itchy some after that (I don't remember how long it took to start).

Does this sound like it could be dermatitis herpetiformis? What can one do to make it more bearable?

[ang1e0251]

It could be DH. When I had it, my Mom had some perscription cream that helped me so I'm sorry I can't help you with the itchy stuff. I don't know how long you've had this but my experience has been that when I stopped eating the gluten, the rash began to heal beginning with the itch starting to back off. If it's getting worse and it is DH, then it's something you are still ingesting. I only get it now if I eat something every day that bothers me. Last spring it was the coffee flavorings I was using 6 days a week. So look for Sneaky Gluten if your rash isn't improving.

[CMG]

I have a similar question. I was gluten-lite from August 2007; positive genetic test December 2008; gluten challenge january/february 2009; followed by negative biopsy.

During my gluten challenge I broke out in what I thought was some weird kind of acne around my hairline, on my neck and a bit on my scalp. It just kept getting worse and tremendously itchy. By the time I made the connection that it might be DH and then more time to get a dermatologist appointment, the rash had almost cleared. So I cancelled the appointment. Now since being completely gluten-free (with a few slips here and there) since February 25, I keep getting a really itchy scalp with a few small blistery bumps.

So here are my questions -

Does this sound like DH?

Should I see a dermatologist?

How big to the blisters have to be to get a reasonable DH biopsy?

I guess I shouldn't care so much about diagnosis (or lack thereof) anymore, since I know the gluten-free diet is the answer to many of my issues. But there's still this nagging desire for a diagnosis...

[ang1e0251]

If you need a dx, go to the home page and look at the DH information file. There is a report written by a dermatologist who explains exactly how the biopsy should be done. What you have could be DH. Or you might be allergic to wheat, a totally different condition that is topical. You should check all products coming into contact with your skin and scalp. Don't use any product with wheat or oatmeal. I'm not sure they are bad but I also stay away from any one that uses "natural colorings or thickeners". Wheat and oatmeal are natural but they make me breakout!