I Don't Know What This Is

[summerteeth]

I have had small, raised red bumps on my arms, chest, and shoulders/neck since... well, since forever. I have changed detergent (I've used baby detergent, sensitive, everything!). So not that. My mom and sister have them, too (although celiac is on my dad's side).

Anyway, they are not very big, but bright red with a white middle. They itch, but not to the point were I can't sleep usually (sometimes they are SUPER itchy though). The bumps last a long time, then leave a weird red bruise-like scar.

I have mentioned this to my dermatologist who was less than interested. He really could care less. My mom went to the same derm and he looked at them (a bit more interested with her), but could not tell her what they were. She does not have them on her arms, chest, or neck - she unfortunately has it on her rear end! My sister has them in the same spots that I do.

I am not sure if this is DH or not - if not, does anyone have keratosis pilaris? If so, do those itch??

Thanks in advance for any info!!

[ravenwoodglass]

My son had keratosis pilaris from infancy until he went gluten-free, then they disappeared. They didn't itch. I had them only on my knees but for him they covered his chest. I also had severe DH and was told at various times that it was poison ivy in my bloodstream (not possible we know now) and pickers acne (even though I would ask if acne would itch and burn) and contact dermatitis.

Can you ask a derm specifically to check for DH? I would and do ask if they have encountered DH before and make sure they know to biopsy the area next to a lesion not the lesion itself.

[mimommy]

My young daughter has celiac and has had raised red bumps all over her chest and arms since she was very little. The ped. told us it is keratosis. We were hopeful it would diminish with the gluten free diet, but no such luck--in fact, they have spread to her chin. Her bumps do not itch, but will become white heads if over moisturized, or become dry white circles if too dry.

Earlier this year she developed a rash on the base of her spine that I feared was DH, but the GI doctor refused to see her for it and the ped. nearly laughed at my idea of DH. The ped. insisted it was another bit of keratosis, however, this particular rash was scarlet red, itched (her Ker. does not itch), and then formed a whitesh yellow raised pattern in one area. It went away on it's own after about 8 or 9 days so I am convinced it wasn't keratosis--her ker. formations never really go away, they just become less noticeable in the summer.

I have recently developed formed red rashes on my arm, thigh, and shins that itch like fire, then dry out and become white and flaky, and they also leave a red scar like after image for a while. I have not seen anyone to find out what it might be and I do not have celiac.

Don't know if this helped? Hope you find out what this is

[summerteeth]

I don't really think it is KP because it is my understanding that KP is follicular and when these "pop", there is no coiled hair (kinda gross, I know). And they are not pimples.

I halfway suspect they are DH because, well, that would make sense. But every photo I have seen of DH shows the lesions as HUGE, and the ones I have are not. They are very small to begin with. But then, they get larger and really red. And sometimes bleed. Then they scar (I have one scar from it that is about the size of a quarter!)

I will make an appointment with my derm, but I will not like it! He is just another doctor who doesn't get it.

[ang1e0251]

Don't go back to a dr you don't respect. Find another. Contact a celiac group in your area or state and ask for derm recommendation. When I get the rash going, I have two different ones. The first will pop up at any gluten exposure on my hands or forearms and it is typical DH, deep burning itch, clear head with fluid. The second takes repeated exposure to show up but it's worse. This is a rash that is small and looks to me like hives. I only get it in the groin area. But the itch & pain are incredible. The skin under it is scarlet and under that a deep purple. This rash is what finally led me to dx myself with celiac disease. If I have gluten two days running, it will rear it's lovely head. If that happens, I have to look at what I'm eating or drinking quickly. It is no fun.

[summerteeth]

Don't go back to a dr you don't respect. Find another. Contact a celiac group in your area or state and ask for derm recommendation. When I get the rash going, I have two different ones. The first will pop up at any gluten exposure on my hands or forearms and it is typical DH, deep burning itch, clear head with fluid. The second takes repeated exposure to show up but it's worse. This is a rash that is small and looks to me like hives. I only get it in the groin area. But the itch & pain are incredible. The skin under it is scarlet and under that a deep purple. This rash is what finally led me to dx myself with celiac disease. If I have gluten two days running, it will rear it's lovely head. If that happens, I have to look at what I'm eating or drinking quickly. It is no fun.

I will do this - find a doctor that is worth my deductible (hard to find, I know!)

Also, this deep purple coloring strikes a chord with me - after these bumps "pop" the skin turns purplish and stays that way - for a long time. It is darker than a bruise and not as "uniform", if that makes sense. Very odd - but I have had these for as long as I can remember.

[ravenwoodglass]

I will do this - find a doctor that is worth my deductible (hard to find, I know!)

Also, this deep purple coloring strikes a chord with me - after these bumps "pop" the skin turns purplish and stays that way - for a long time. It is darker than a bruise and not as "uniform", if that makes sense. Very odd - but I have had these for as long as I can remember.

The purplish color and the length of time the scarring remains is a hallmark of DH. I still have some scarring on my back and neck that is there 7 years after diagnosis and the resolution of DH. For me when those bumps 'popped' the fluid inside would seem to burn the surrounding skin which would then peel. I lived with DH for almost 40 years while being blown off by doctors and getting sicker and sicker. I am glad you are able to get this under control now while your young, just don't forget to drop iodized salt and don't take a supplement with iodine. After you have been gluten-free for a while and have stopped having outbreaks you can add the iodized salt back in if you want. I just use Sea Salt which has iodine in it naturally and doesn't seem to have ever caused an issue.

[glutenfreenew]

The purplish color and the length of time the scarring remains is a hallmark of DH. I still have some scarring on my back and neck that is there 7 years after diagnosis and the resolution of DH. For me when those bumps 'popped' the fluid inside would seem to burn the surrounding skin which would then peel. I lived with DH for almost 40 years while being blown off by doctors and getting sicker and sicker. I am glad you are able to get this under control now while your young, just don't forget to drop iodized salt and don't take a supplement with iodine. After you have been gluten-free for a while and have stopped having outbreaks you can add the iodized salt back in if you want. I just use Sea Salt which has iodine in it naturally and doesn't seem to have ever caused an issue.

definately sounds to be DH, if u go to a gi specialist, how i finally got diagnosed over 5 years ago, they should know by looking at your rash. i broke out and that was my first sign that i needed to do something, all over my back and legs started out small itchy bumps that had whiteheads, thought it was wierd then got painful to touch and they burst with clear fluid, left purple bruise like spots for years after i healed the sores. iodine can make it worse.