The Hives Are So Bad

[blondebombshell]

this was this morning. now they are red, and look like little bumps that i picked open.

[mushroom]

I do not have personal experience with DH; hubby has it, and from his and the other pics I have seen, this does not look like DH. Does it leave scars ? Does it turn purple? Does it form pustules that break open? These are the general characteristics of DH. Probably not exclusively, but generally.

[Kate S.]

I'm so sorry . . . that looks very painful!

I have DH, my mom has DH, my sister has DH, and my brother has DH . . . and I have to tell you, your rash looks EXACTLY like my rashes. I showed my mom your pictures to verify, and she thinks so too.

I can usually feel my rashes coming before they show (a painful pricking sensation), and then after they appear, they itch terribly. Iodine and dry skin makes the itching much worse. Although Benadryl doesn't make them go away, it does help with the itching.

Interestingly, those who have DH may or may not have damage to their small intestine, so you can still have DH, even though your endoscopy came back negative for Celiac.

They diagnose DH by taking a biopsy of skin right next to the blisters (not the blisters themselves); however, the results of your test may be compromised if you are already on a gluten-free diet.

I know how dreadful these rashes can be: Last summer, my entire body was covered in rashes just like yours for three whole months before I was diagnosed with DH (before that, I had patches on and off for years).

I hope you feel better soon!

[c.moriel]

Your pictures look exactly like my skin used to look, back before it spread to 90% of my body. 10 years ago it was just starting and would come and go. I had dr and dermatologists tell me it was everything from eczema/psorasis to wringworm. Of course nothing helped. After being diagnosed with celiac last month and going gluten-free, i've watched my skin change slowly. One thing I've learned that may help you is that for some people with dh, sunlight can help relieve some of their dh symptoms. Be careful, though. Some people don't respond well to light therapy.

[Glamour]

I have some areas that look just like that. I feel prickly burning sensation before the itch begins too. That is how I know it is not a scratch first then itch syndrome that the doctors try to convince you of.