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Can Dh Be Mistaken For Hives?

Mac55

By Mac55
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

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Mac55 Apprentice
Mac55
Posted

I found out I have Celiac about a month ago. In my research I read a bit about DH. I don't have it but my friend's daughter has unexplained hives. My friend is currently looking into the whole Celiac/Gluten Sensitivity thing as herself and many members of her family fit the bill in one way or another. Her daughter is almost 4 and is in remission from Leukemia. At first they thought the "rash" was Graft Vs. Host Disease (GVH). Anyway, she went to derm and was told they didn't need to biopsy as it was just hives. Can a dermatologist not get it right and think it's hives when it's DH? Has this happened to anyone here? Would they be able to look and tell without a doubt? I'm just concerned they're missing something. Thanks!

Megan

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lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

In my experience the two are VERY different looking.

richard

missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted

It seems that the first thing they should do is have the child tested for allergies.

Yup Apprentice
Yup
Posted

It seems that the first thing they should do is have the child tested for allergies.

If she were my daughter I would have her tested for Hashimotos Thyroidism.

Mac55 Apprentice
Mac55
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for your replies. As I don't have DH I really don't know much about it. So it doesn't resemble hives?

I'm hoping they do get her tested for allergies. I know she has something up, just like I knew with my son. He definitely has a few allergies/sensitivities.

Miila's Mom, why would do suspect Thyroid? Does Hashimotos come with a rash or hives?

This friend is actually my best friend in the world. She's gone through so much with her daughter's Leukemia and her mom has cancer that keeps coming back. She also REALLY doesn't feel good and is stressed and moderately depressed. I try to do some leg-work for her when I can, as I know it just overwhelms her sometimes. I love researching and getting to the bottom of things. Thanks for the input!

kprince Apprentice
kprince
Posted

I actually was just going to ask the same question if DH can look like hives? After I work out in the morning and/or if I do not get eough fluids, I tend to break out in rashed anywhere I put pressure ( so if I am sitting, it will be on teh back of my thighs etc.) It is VERY itchy and when I scratch them, they tend to turn into welts...but never blisters and they go away on their own after about 1 hour. I have been gluten-free for 1 year. Do I have DH?

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I actually was just going to ask the same question if DH can look like hives? After I work out in the morning and/or if I do not get eough fluids, I tend to break out in rashed anywhere I put pressure ( so if I am sitting, it will be on teh back of my thighs etc.) It is VERY itchy and when I scratch them, they tend to turn into welts...but never blisters and they go away on their own after about 1 hour. I have been gluten-free for 1 year. Do I have DH?

This sounds like pressure urticaria or hives caused by pressure. Many who have this will also show signs of dermatographia, where if you lightly run a fingernail across your skin it will leave a red mark for quite a while. You might want to consult an allergist. Some will advise an antihistimine. Tell your doctor and ask them about it next time you see them.

DH usually presents as tiny fluid filled blisters that itch horribly and the scars they leave are a distinctive purpleish color and remain for a very long time. They are caused directly by consuming gluten for some of us even in very small amounts.

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kprince Apprentice
kprince
Posted

This sounds like pressure urticaria or hives caused by pressure. Many who have this will also show signs of dermatographia, where if you lightly run a fingernail across your skin it will leave a red mark for quite a while. You might want to consult an allergist. Some will advise an antihistimine. Tell your doctor and ask them about it next time you see them.

DH usually presents as tiny fluid filled blisters that itch horribly and the scars they leave are a distinctive purpleish color and remain for a very long time. They are caused directly by consuming gluten for some of us even in very small amounts.

HOLY COW!!! So I just did some research and I want to pull out some quotes that literally STOPPED me in my tracks

The cause of chronic urticaria is often hard to pinpoint. Although the cause is currently unknown, it is thought to be related to a person's own immune system triggering the reaction.

"Some types of chronic urticaria worsen with increased blood flow as a result of heat, exertion, emotional stress, alcoholic drinks, fever or hyperthyroidism." My rashes almost always apprear after working out.

"Some people get pressure urticaria on certain parts of the body as a result of the work they do." I do the recumbant bike for 45 minutes at the end of my workout and this is where the hives are (around my bottom)

"People with cholinergic urticaria get hives with heat, exercise or emotional stress. Small welts appear within a larger area of redness, often on the neck or upper chest." I almost never get it on my chest, but everything else was true.

I actually made an appointment with an allergist for next Thursday. Is tehre any sort of test I should have them do or any questions I should ask. I used to get so mad with my pediatrition when I would bring my son in with a cronic running nose and they were like,"Oh, it must be allergies." I always thought that was what they say when they do not know.

From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!!!! for hopefully stearing me in the right direction-

Kathy

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

HOLY COW!!! So I just did some research and I want to pull out some quotes that literally STOPPED me in my tracks

The cause of chronic urticaria is often hard to pinpoint. Although the cause is currently unknown, it is thought to be related to a person's own immune system triggering the reaction.

"Some types of chronic urticaria worsen with increased blood flow as a result of heat, exertion, emotional stress, alcoholic drinks, fever or hyperthyroidism." My rashes almost always apprear after working out.

"Some people get pressure urticaria on certain parts of the body as a result of the work they do." I do the recumbant bike for 45 minutes at the end of my workout and this is where the hives are (around my bottom)

"People with cholinergic urticaria get hives with heat, exercise or emotional stress. Small welts appear within a larger area of redness, often on the neck or upper chest." I almost never get it on my chest, but everything else was true.

I actually made an appointment with an allergist for next Thursday. Is tehre any sort of test I should have them do or any questions I should ask. I used to get so mad with my pediatrition when I would bring my son in with a cronic running nose and they were like,"Oh, it must be allergies." I always thought that was what they say when they do not know.

From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!!!! for hopefully stearing me in the right direction-

Kathy

I should have mentioned that prediagnosis I had this form of hives along with DH. I don't know which drove me nuts more. Both have gone away gluten free. So although they are different they could be coming from the same root cause.

Hopeful1950 Explorer
Hopeful1950
Posted

I'd like to respond to the question about whether a dermatologist can "not get it right". You bet. In my experience of what appears to be a DH rash I have been told it was "stress eczema", that I was a "picker", and most recently I have given a medicine for bi-polar disorder! I consulted a psychiatrist at that point and he sent me to an allergist who is really looking at everything. The first doctor to do so in 6 years.

Encourage your friend's mom to get to a physician (maybe an experienced allergist) who will not give up until they have actually tested for the all the things that could be causing the child the problem. The allergist I am working ran tests for celiac, thyroid, allergies and a host of other things that might not be related to allergies at all so he can steer me in the right direction if he is unable to help. Skin testing is next.

Oh...and just a note, I work for 22 physicians and trust me their skill and patient care varies widely. Search and search until you find one who will take the time.

Ahorsesoul Enthusiast
Ahorsesoul
Posted

All my life I've had unexplained hives. Haven't had any since going gluten free.

kprince Apprentice
kprince
Posted

I'd like to respond to the question about whether a dermatologist can "not get it right". You bet. In my experience of what appears to be a DH rash I have been told it was "stress eczema", that I was a "picker", and most recently I have given a medicine for bi-polar disorder! I consulted a psychiatrist at that point and he sent me to an allergist who is really looking at everything. The first doctor to do so in 6 years.

Encourage your friend's mom to get to a physician (maybe an experienced allergist) who will not give up until they have actually tested for the all the things that could be causing the child the problem. The allergist I am working ran tests for celiac, thyroid, allergies and a host of other things that might not be related to allergies at all so he can steer me in the right direction if he is unable to help. Skin testing is next.

Oh...and just a note, I work for 22 physicians and trust me their skill and patient care varies widely. Search and search until you find one who will take the time.

This is so strange...I too have always ;labled myself a "picker" and recently I was told that I might be suffering from bi-polar II. They want to put me on an anti-seizure medication...do you mind letting me know the medication you are on?

  • 3 years later...
GretaJane Newbie
GretaJane
Posted

Yes, rarely, DH can present as chronic hives!!! Open Original Shared Link

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Yes, rarely, DH can present as chronic hives!!! Open Original Shared Link

Just an FYI, you are responding to a post from almost 4 years ago. I'm sure we have had a more recent discussion about DH and how it presents?

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