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

Dh Diagnosis Question


MacieMay

Recommended Posts

MacieMay Explorer

Hello there!

I was hoping someone could help me...

In order to diagnosis DH, I understand you need a skin biopsy but do you need to be on Gluten? Thanks!!


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



scratch-n-eat Newbie

If you weren't eating gluten, then there wouldn't be anything to biopsy. Right? If you are gluten free and having skin reactions, it can't be from gluten.

Kay DH Apprentice

Gluten reaction and DH are slower than they are for GI problems. As such, it is probably a good idea to be on gluten when you are getting the biopsy so that the immune response is sufficient to "ping" the positive reaction. It is especially important to get a dermatologist that is expert in DH. I've shown the rashes on my legs, back, and arms to I don't know how many doctors over the last few decades, and the most I've gotten is to use hydrocortisone on them. The rashes went away about 6 months after I went off gluten because of other symptoms. Even if your test results from biopsy around the lesions are negative, you can still be gluten intolerant or sensitive. Best wishes on your test.

Kay DH Apprentice

If you weren't eating gluten, then there wouldn't be anything to biopsy. Right? If you are gluten free and having skin reactions, it can't be from gluten.

Actually, it can take 1-2 years after going gluten free for the DH to clear up in some people. So, you can have the DH rashes and still be gluten free in terms of diet. It is a lot quicker to clear the gluten from a GI system than to clean the immune response from within the skin.

MacieMay Explorer

OK...I guess that makes sense, because my daughters skin issues are not resolving as quickly as I had hoped after going Gluten Free. They certainly are not getting worse, like before, which is good. I'm trying to get the Derm she is seeing now to skin biopsy but he doesn't want to rush into anything. He's telling me to use the hydrocortisone (which we've actually tried months back, per recommendation of the allergist,after she tested negative for the big food allergens and oh Yah...it didn't help!!) We have an appointment for Derm @ Childrens hospital in 3 weeks, and I'm pretty sure they will want to do the biopsy right away but I'm not sure I want to keep her on Gluten until then. She is just miserable. : ( We've had a negative panel and a negative biopsy, she is almost 18 months. Im thinking the skin biopsy might be our only hope for a diagnosis. Is is possible for this not to be DH but another kind of reaction to the Gluten? And if it was... would it show on a skin biopsy?

Thanks in advance!!

Archived

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


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      130,561
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    paludally
    Newest Member
    paludally
    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

    • Wamedh Taj-Aldeen
      I recently reviewed a patient with a positive tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody but negative endomysial antibodies (EMA). The patient is asymptomatic, and duodenal biopsies—taken while on a normal gluten-containing diet—were reported as normal. Given the discordant serology and absence of histological changes, I understand that the probability of coeliac disease is low. However, I would appreciate your guidance on the following: Is routine follow-up required in such a case? What is the risk of progression to overt coeliac disease in the future? Would HLA DQ2/DQ8 typing be useful here to help guide long-term management or exclude the diagnosis confidently? I would be grateful for your thoughts.
    • trents
      @LynnM, when you say, "today, his numbers were high", what numbers do you refer to? Are you speaking of celiac antibody scores? Can you be more specific and can you post the test names, the numbers and the reference ranges for the tests? So, I am understanding you to say that topical exposure to gluten doesn't cause him GI reactions but ingestion of gluten does but at the same time you are attributing the "high numbers" to the topical exposure?
    • Ginger38
      So I recently had blood work and my hemoglobin, hematocrit, protein and alkaline phosphatase were all low. They have never been low in the past but since august of last year I have been on the in and off gluten rollercoaster as I mentioned in previous posts. Should I be concerned with these new findings? I am worried I have made myself really sick and done damage or something this past year 
    • LynnM
      Thank you Scott. My son doesn't have a reaction topically, only when ingested. Interestingly though, the doc told us the face cream getting gluten into his bloodstream doesn't do the damage akin to when gluten is ingested. He had no reaction when using the face cream, it only presented in blood-work. I'm hopeful from all the comments today and will wait for the GI doc to reply. If he is cleared to use it, I will encourage SHIELD to get a gluten-free certification 
    • Scott Adams
      It’s great that you’re taking the time to research products carefully for your son with celiac disease—especially since accidental gluten exposure through skincare can be a real concern for sensitive individuals. Based on the ingredient lists you’ve shared, none of the products appear to contain obvious sources of gluten like wheat, barley, or rye derivatives. Ingredients like glycerin and tocopherols (not listed here but often a concern) can sometimes be derived from wheat, but many manufacturers use plant-based or synthetic sources. SHIELD’s transparency and willingness to share their full ingredient list is a good sign, and their note about not intentionally adding gluten is reassuring. Still, because ingredient sourcing can vary and sensitivities differ from person to person, it’s wise that you’ve reached out to your GI specialist to be sure these products are safe for your son’s specific needs. In the meantime, if you do try any of the products, consider patch-testing them first and watching closely for any signs of skin irritation or reactions. PS - Most people with celiac disease won't react to skin products that may contain gluten, but I still recommend finding gluten-free products.
×
×
  • Create New...