Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

What Can I Take For Help With The Itching?


vickyn-p

Recommended Posts

vickyn-p Newbie

My DH showed up in a new place and is super, super itchy. Is there ANYTHING I can do to help soothe it while my body heals from the gluten exposure?


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



OptimisticMom42 Apprentice

I take liquid children's benedryl and use hydrocortisone cream. It stops the itching pretty well for me.

ravenwoodglass Mentor

For me the biggest help is cool compresses and a topical hydrocortisone cream. If I am having a very bad time with it, which hasn't happened since I have been gluten free, I used to get a short course of prednisone from the doctor.

For me the benydral doesn't help but it would make me sleepy so I would sometimes take it at night.

Be sure to check all your topical products, you don't want to keep the reaction going by using topicals on the raw sores.

I know how uncomfortable you are feeling and hope it resolves soon.

Oh yea and do avoid iodine in salt and supplements for a bit until the DH outbreaks stop happening. Iodine will keep the antibodies active.

vickyn-p Newbie

For me the biggest help is cool compresses and a topical hydrocortisone cream. If I am having a very bad time with it, which hasn't happened since I have been gluten free, I used to get a short course of prednisone from the doctor.

For me the benydral doesn't help but it would make me sleepy so I would sometimes take it at night.

Be sure to check all your topical products, you don't want to keep the reaction going by using topicals on the raw sores.

I know how uncomfortable you are feeling and hope it resolves soon.

Oh yea and do avoid iodine in salt and supplements for a bit until the DH outbreaks stop happening. Iodine will keep the antibodies active.

Thanks for the information and concern. The itchy has subsided and now I'm just waiting for it to heal. I guess I've gotten even more sensitive to gluten after being gluten free for so long.

ChemistMama Contributor

Thanks for the information and concern. The itchy has subsided and now I'm just waiting for it to heal. I guess I've gotten even more sensitive to gluten after being gluten free for so long.

Sarna Sensitive lotion (the one that doesn't contain menthol) has the same painkiller that's in Neosporin Pain but without the antibiotics. It's the one thing I always turn to to soothe the itch.

bluebonnet Explorer

i can't take benedryl because of svt but i have found a generous dose of the topical calamine lotion helps with the itching/burning. it only helps deal though ... gotta stay away from gluten for total healing. :)

  • 3 weeks later...
ChemistMama Contributor

i can't take benedryl because of svt but i have found a generous dose of the topical calamine lotion helps with the itching/burning. it only helps deal though ... gotta stay away from gluten for total healing. :)

This is a misconception: Benadryl will do NOTHING to help DH. Benadryl is a histamine blocker, and histamine isn't a part of the DH pathway, it has to do with your T cells and some other complicated stuff. The only oral medicine for DH is dapsone, which can be nasty in its own right (need regular bloodwork, yucchy side effects). My DH also warned against too much topical steroid cream, it can actually hinder healing. Use something with a topical pain killer and a moisturizer to help things heal.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



ChemistMama Contributor

My DH also warned against too much topical steroid cream, it can actually hinder healing. Use something with a topical pain killer and a moisturizer to help things heal.

OOps, that should be my Dermatologist said....too much DH on the brain, I think!! ;)

Hopeful1950 Explorer

I have had the DH rash for 7 years and was just diagnosed about 10 weeks ago. I have tried everything for the itching. The Sensitive Sarna works very well, but I am allergic to it and breakout in thousands of tiny blisters when I use it. I have found another remedy that works pretty well "Bandaid Hurt-Free Antiseptic Wash". It contains lidocaine which helps with the itch. I keep it in the fridge so the combination of cold and lidocaine is very soothing. It also kills germs which I have always needed since I was clawing myself in my sleep. I also go easy on steroids, but sometimes they are the only thing that will help.

Deb H Newbie

I have had the DH rash for 7 years and was just diagnosed about 10 weeks ago. I have tried everything for the itching. The Sensitive Sarna works very well, but I am allergic to it and breakout in thousands of tiny blisters when I use it. I have found another remedy that works pretty well "Bandaid Hurt-Free Antiseptic Wash". It contains lidocaine which helps with the itch. I keep it in the fridge so the combination of cold and lidocaine is very soothing. It also kills germs which I have always needed since I was clawing myself in my sleep. I also go easy on steroids, but sometimes they are the only thing that will help.

I have been trying to find something for the burning itch.. Nothing so far.. Doctor keeps giving me a antihistimaine, which doesn't do anything.. On the bad days I take it to try to fool myself.. lol.. Thank you for the suggestion.. I will defiantely try that..

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,248
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Stephen of the West
    Newest Member
    Stephen of the West
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.3k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Zuma888
    • knitty kitty
      You have one gene for Celiac.  You have a second autoimmune disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is frequently found at a higher rate with Celiac.  HLA genes carry autoimmune disease genes like Celiac and Hashimoto's and diabetes and others.   You have Celiac symptoms of reacting after gluten.  You said "I am however still suffering from the effects of the gluten challenge (food sensitivities, slight brain fog, weird stool, fatigue, swollen thyroid, bodyaches)."  And your anti-thyroid antibodies increase after gluten exposure.  While tTg IgA does not directly attack the thyroid, gluten exposure does trigger the  immune system to produce antibodies against the thyroid in genetically predisposed individuals.  You did not eat sufficient gluten (10 grams of gluten per day for two weeks minimum) to raise the autoimmune antibodies to the point they can be measured in the blood, so your blood tests may well be inaccurate.  You could choose to continue the gluten challenge of 10 grams a day for at least two weeks and get retested.   At the very least, you know that gluten is harmful to your thyroid, and because you are genetically predisposed to Celiac disease, a strict gluten free diet would be beneficial for your overall health.  
    • Zuma888
      Thanks @Scott Adams! I guess my question now is: do the celiacs who can get away with regular contamination without villi damage as you mentioned have to be strict about cross-contamination ? 
    • Zuma888
      Thank you very much @knitty kitty! I'm glad you brought up the point about histamine. I have been taking an antihistamine after meals where I don't feel so good and never knew why it helped so much. At first I thought I might have a food allergy, but I recently did a food allergy test and I actually have ZERO food allergies. Regarding your last point about the stages of grief, are you saying it's likely that I have celiac? I have Hashimoto's BTW and I know for sure that gluten causes an autoimmune response to my thyroid as my anti-TPO and anti-Tg go up and my throat feels swollen. Could the symptoms be due to that autoimmune response?
    • knitty kitty
      @Zuma888, The antibodies produced in response to gluten are made in the intestines.  When the body is provoked sufficiently, the antibodies overflow out of the intestines and into the blood stream.  Once in the blood stream, the antibodies can be measured with tTg IgA tests.  Three grams of gluten per day for two weeks minimum is enough gluten to make you feel the symptoms of having been glutened, but the antibodies are not in sufficient quantity to be measured in the blood. Ten grams of gluten per day for a minimum of two weeks is required to get the anti gluten antibodies at a high enough level in the blood stream to be measured by tTg IgA tests. So, no, occasional cross contamination or (heaven forbid) intentional cheat days will not be sufficient for tTg IgA testing.  You will still be making antibodies which will still be causing inflammation and damage to the intestines and body.  Histamine is released as part of the immune response to gluten.  High histamine levels lead to food sensitivities, brain fog, and body aches.   The damage done to the gastrointestinal tract affects the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals.  Malabsorption of fats can cause changes in stools.  Insufficient absorption of vitamins and minerals can cause damage to other organs like the thyroid if it can't get enough Selenium, iodine, iron, zinc, and Thiamine.  Brain fog and fatigue can be caused by low Thiamine and other B Complex vitamins.  Vitamin D is needed to regulate the immune system.  One gene is all that's needed to develop Celiac disease.  I know a Celiac diagnosis is a change that can be difficult to get your head around.  Many people go through the five stages of grief.  One stage is "bargaining".  Sounds like you're stuck there.  Every little cheat counts to your detriment.  But sticking to a gluten free diet, makes every meal a success.   Read the comments below the article... Best wishes!  Keep us posted on your progress!
×
×
  • Create New...