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

Dh And Minor Wounds?

drgoogle

By drgoogle
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Recommended Posts

drgoogle Newbie
drgoogle
Posted

Does anyone else find that if you get a paper cut, or a small scratch (e.g. my dog scratched me last week), it bubbles/blisters up and takes forever to heal?

I've read DH shows up in areas that are more subject to trauma. Does this also mean wounds can become blistered due to DH too?

I've found since the onset of my symptoms that minor wounds can become a problem whereas prior to the onset of my rash I had no problem at all with wound healing.

(I have no confirmed diagnosis but am very suspicious it's DH, waiting on biopsy results though the biopsy was of a lesion not of normal skin).

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Hopeful1950 Explorer
Hopeful1950
Posted

Absolutely! I have experienced the bubbling and blistering and itching with paper cuts and the worst was on the sites that the dermatologist biopsied. I also have blistered from clothing rubbing my skin. If I use bandaids I have to be careful when removing them not to traumatize the skin (soak them off in the bath) or I will get blisters where the skin was pulled when the bandage was removed.

drgoogle Newbie
drgoogle
Posted
  • Author

Absolutely! I have experienced the bubbling and blistering and itching with paper cuts and the worst was on the sites that the dermatologist biopsied. I also have blistered from clothing rubbing my skin. If I use bandaids I have to be careful when removing them not to traumatize the skin (soak them off in the bath) or I will get blisters where the skin was pulled when the bandage was removed.

Thanks Hopeful. I had read about trauma to the skin but wasn't sure what it ended up looking like in most people. What you describe is what I'm experiencing too. At my biopsy site, I have a circle of blisters. Also makes sense that my worst-hit place initially was my lower legs, where I shave the most (that's trauma!) and why I initially thought the whole thing started from 2 mosquito bites but no tests ever showed any sign of infection - it wasn't that the bites were infected, just that they were injured spots of my skin so the first targeted by my new friend DH. My torso is least affected - basically there's no friction or trauma to that area. My arms are about the only place getting much new reactions right now, while my legs are very very slowly healing. My face has been relatively unaffected.

The bandaid thing - when I first started getting bumps, they were oozing and so I used bandaids and literally I'd get more bumps in the exact shape of the bandaid, which I thought pointed to a latex or adhesive allergy. But I seem okay with rubber/latex now. In general things don't get too bad now unless I get a scrape/cut. The new bumps I get in non-injured places are much more minor than they were when I was still knowingly consuming gluten.

The two scratches I got from my dog look disgusting - back when I was "normal" they would have just scabbed and healed in a week. Going on 3 weeks and they're literally two lines of bubbles. But before, even the non-injured skin would turn into these nasty blistered lesions.

This is so frustrating! Thanks again for your reply. Sorry to respond with a frustrated novel...that's just how I'm feeling at this point!

Hopeful1950 Explorer
Hopeful1950
Posted

Hey Dr. Google, I just followed the link you posted in the other thread. Good information about trauma to the skin. My DH also started on my ankles. The next place was upper back and neck. Then lower legs and arms. I have a tendency to scratch and rub in my sleep and I'll just bet that the trauma from that is causing old lesions to blister over and over again. I too am so frustrated. I have not been without this itchy mess for almost 8 years now.

Have you considered trying the Dapsone? If you can take it, you will see relief quickly. (I had a blissfull month without itching) Backed up with a gluten-free diet is seems like the way to go if you can tolerate it. There are some folks on the forum who have taken it for years and have done well. I am so sad that I couldn't tolerate it.

drgoogle Newbie
drgoogle
Posted
  • Author

None of my doctors have mentioned Dapsone and I'm always afraid to suggest anything for fear of offending them.

My dermatologist did a biopsy tonight to rule out DH at my prompting and after seeing some new lesions on my arms, so I have that going in to the lab in addition to the one my family doc did in December. The derm took a 4mm punch so I think he got some adjacent normal skin which my family doc did not. 6 weeks til I hear results though...

and if it is not DH, I asked my derm what I would do then. If it's "just eczema," then what? He said he could try getting me in to a different allergist than the one who said "this has nothing to do with food, it's just an acute allergic reaction." Perhaps a different allergist/immunologist will be able to get to the bottom of this.

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

None of my doctors have mentioned Dapsone and I'm always afraid to suggest anything for fear of offending them.

A sad reflection indeed on the fragility of the M.D. ego :P Your doctor is supposed to be your partner in your health care, not your dictator, and certainly not someone to be afraid of :unsure: How can we get the right medical care if we can't have a frank discussion with our doctors?

drgoogle Newbie
drgoogle
Posted
  • Author

A sad reflection indeed on the fragility of the M.D. ego :P Your doctor is supposed to be your partner in your health care, not your dictator, and certainly not someone to be afraid of :unsure: How can we get the right medical care if we can't have a frank discussion with our doctors?

I agree with you mushroom - we as patients should be the central part of our healthcare team, but my doctors don't even really communicate with my other doctors (wouldn't it be ideal for the dermatologist and allergist to have some kind of communication?), but I also have a concern that I'm already doing way too much self-diagnosis and need to "trust" my doctors which is why it took me a couple months to even ask my dermatologist about DH and then another couple weeks to ask for a biopsy. Honestly I think my dermatologist really doesn't think it's DH and so he would be very reluctant to prescribe dapsone.

Another question for any of you with DH - do you get recurrent lesions in the same spot just when you think that spot has healed? Until the purplish scar left behind from a lesion has completely faded away, which seems to take a long time, I seem to be susceptible to getting another bump in that same spot, though not as bad as the original.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Hopeful1950 Explorer
Hopeful1950
Posted

dr google, I have many lesions that have never completely healed because they will blister again either on the lesion or very close to the lesion. Some have grown to the size of silver dollars at times. I have noticed that after being strictly gluten-free (for about 6 months) blisters that appear on previously unaffected skin can often "fizzle out". I also have vitiligo where lesions have completely healed. Hundreds of little depigmented areas on my back and forearms. The allergist told me that this is often the case with celiac. Another thing I have noticed is that when a lesion is ready to heal completely it happens almost overnight after months and months of bugging me.

I would go ahead ask your doc for Dapsone. I brought information with me to the doc and begged! I am a surgeon's daughter and have worked in a large specialist practice for 13 years. Sometimes out and out begging works. It was the allergist that was willing to work with me. He is very compassionate and could see how I was suffering. He also is very curious and partnered with me to figure this thing out. Some of my research on Dapsone has indicated that a cimetidine chaser and Vitamin C taken concurrently can help with the side effects. I printed out all the reliable information on Dapsone I could find and brought it with me, then the CNP looked up additional information while I was in the office so she could order the appropriate lab tests to monitor my blood and liver levels while I was on the therapy. It would be my hope that you could tolerate the drug until the antibodies clear your skin because the relief was amazing.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,898
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MLucia
    Newest Member
    MLucia
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • 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.