Jump to content

  • 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

By vickyn-p
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Recommended Posts

vickyn-p Newbie
vickyn-p
Posted

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
OptimisticMom42
Posted

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

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

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
vickyn-p
Posted
  • Author

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
ChemistMama
Posted

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
bluebonnet
Posted

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
ChemistMama
Posted

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
ChemistMama
Posted

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
Hopeful1950
Posted

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
Deb H
Posted

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.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Matthias's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      4

      Unexpected gluten exposure risk from cultivated mushrooms

      This is a really common area of confusion. Most natural cheeses (cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, Parmesan, brie, camembert, and most blue cheeses) are inherently gluten-free, and you’re right that the molds used today are typically grown on gluten-free media. The bigger risks tend to come from processed cheeses: shredded cheese (anti-caking agents), cheese s...
    2. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      3

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Kirkland brand (at Costco) is gluten-free and is 2,000 IU.
    3. Matthias
      - Matthias replied to Matthias's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      4

      Unexpected gluten exposure risk from cultivated mushrooms

      Thanks a lot for your response! Can you maybe specify which kind of cheeses I should be cautious about? Camembert/Brie and blue cheeses (the molds of which are nowadays mostly grown on gluten-free media, though, so I've read, right?) or other ones as well? Also, I was under the impression that yeast is generally gluten-free if not declared otherwise...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Matthias's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      4

      Unexpected gluten exposure risk from cultivated mushrooms

      I agree with @trents, but thank you for bringing this up here!
    5. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      3

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hi @trents, yes I've had my levels checked in Dec 2025 which revealed vit D deficiency. I considered eggs although they only contain about 45 IU vitamin D/egg. I need 2000 IU vitamin D for maintenance as per my doctor. Although now, I likely need way more than that to treat the deficiency. My doctor has yet to advise me on dosing for deficiency. I've also...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,326
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    PattyPagnanelli
    Newest Member
    PattyPagnanelli
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Unexpected gluten exposure risk from cultivated mushrooms

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This is a really common area of confusion. Most natural cheeses (cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, Parmesan, brie, camembert, and most blue cheeses) are inherently gluten-free, and you’re right that the molds used today are typically grown on gluten-free media. The bigger risks tend to come from processed cheeses: shredded cheese (anti-caking agents), cheese spreads, beer-washed rinds, smoke-flavored cheeses, and anything with added seasonings or “natural flavors,” where cross-contact can happen. As for yeast, you’re also correct — yeast itself is gluten-free. The issue is the source: brewer’s yeast and yeast extracts can be derived from barley unless labeled gluten-free, while baker’s yeast is generally safe. When in doubt, sticking with whole, unprocessed cheeses and products specifically labeled gluten-free is the safest approach, especially if you’re highly sensitive.
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Kirkland brand (at Costco) is gluten-free and is 2,000 IU.
    • Matthias
      Unexpected gluten exposure risk from cultivated mushrooms

      By Matthias · Posted

      Thanks a lot for your response! Can you maybe specify which kind of cheeses I should be cautious about? Camembert/Brie and blue cheeses (the molds of which are nowadays mostly grown on gluten-free media, though, so I've read, right?) or other ones as well? Also, I was under the impression that yeast is generally gluten-free if not declared otherwise. Is that false?
    • Scott Adams
      Unexpected gluten exposure risk from cultivated mushrooms

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I agree with @trents, but thank you for bringing this up here!
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Hi @trents, yes I've had my levels checked in Dec 2025 which revealed vit D deficiency. I considered eggs although they only contain about 45 IU vitamin D/egg. I need 2000 IU vitamin D for maintenance as per my doctor. Although now, I likely need way more than that to treat the deficiency. My doctor has yet to advise me on dosing for deficiency. I've also considered cod liver oil, although again, if it's processed in a facility that has gluten, especially on flour form, I worried to test it, even if they have protocols in place to mitigate cross-contamination with gluten.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.