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

Does Dh Have To Be Itchy?

anna34

By anna34
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Recommended Posts

anna34 Enthusiast
anna34
Posted

We're waiting for my son's blood results after our daughter was diagnosed with Celiac earlier this week through biopsy. Our son has always had what looks like excema (torso, buttocks, thighs) that comes and goes, but does not seem to be itchy to him (he's only 2).

I'm thinking he may have Celiac because: 1. his sister has it, 2. he's very pale, 3. he has a big belly, 4. he poops 5-6 times/day, and 5. the excema looking rash.

Does the rash have to be itchy with blisters, or can it appear as excema? Or, can Celiac cause excema?

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


horseshoe Newbie
horseshoe
Posted

Hi Anna. I first want to offer my sympathy to you and your kids. Being Celiac/gluten intolerant is hard enough to go through as a single adult, and you have potentially two kids with it. Stay strong.

I'm not an expert on DH by any means but I've had my fair share of eczema related problems and have known people with DH. From just my general observations on both and my research into gluten intolerance, I'd say it's likely that the rash could be either DH or eczema and that either/or is another indicator that your son might be Celiac. I've have had a few clients (I'm a CPT in a gym) who've had DH problems and sometimes their rashes do look like a bad case of eczema. They have told me it hurts rather than itches so perhaps it depends on the person. The only way to know is to get your son's rash tested, if it is DH they'll know and that will be positive confirmation of his having Celiac.

I know that when I've had some CC over the last month (that's how long I've been gluten-free) my eczema flares up a bit and can look nasty like DH without the blisters. It sounds like your son has a lot of Celiac leaning symptoms and the only way to be certain would be to get him tested. Best of wishes to you.

hazelbrown10 Rookie
hazelbrown10
Posted

I'm not sure about eczema, but I had a very mysterious rash for a LONG time and it's almost disappeared since I've been gluten-free. The doc said my rash "looked like eczema" but I'm not so sure. But if it was - then it can definitely go away off gluten.

eatmeat4good Enthusiast
eatmeat4good
Posted

I've had DH for 7 years.

Mine was painful. I would not have describedit as itchy.

In the beginning it didn't blister or hurt. I guess there were not enough antibodies built up.

My son had sores on his legs that went away on going gluten free. The Dr.'s always called it eczema, but it is gone now that he is gluten free. So I wonder....

You are right to be concerned about the rash. If it is either DH or eczema it may clear on going gluten free. It might be a good idea to have it tested for antibodies. They need to biopsy clear skin next to the lesions as that is where the antibodies will be found.

I hope your children feel better soon. It is hard at first being gluten free, but so well worth it in the end.

hockeymomofceliacchild Rookie
hockeymomofceliacchild
Posted

My son too was just diagnosed with celiac he has a rash all over himself I assume he has DH like his uncle. He is six years old and I have been doing A LOT of research and love this site. :)

He was told at the dermitoligist that his rash was from echema even though he has celiac because his rash was not in all the "typical" areas. (note today I noticed it is in those other "typical" areas so I guess I am right in thinking it was dh. lol) I was also told it couldn't be dh because he would be raw from scratching and not sleeping at night. My son scratches constantly and very inconspicuosly, I asked him if he ever remembers a time when he wasn't itchy and he replied "only as a baby" lol I had no idea, I assumed these scratch marks and other rashes were from other unrelated things like "road rash, skinned elbows and bad hygiene. Glad I figured it out.

My though to this is that we only resently pushed excessive amounts of gluten on him not knowing he had celiac and it flared from the build up. I could be wrong but I think if he had gone on eating it his itchiness would have intensified as he got older. I know the dh was not as itchy six months ago when it first flared and we didn't know what it was the more spots he got the itchier he got.

Good luck with the new diet my two year old and twelve year old just got tested thursday and we are waiting for those results too.

cassP Contributor
cassP
Posted

We're waiting for my son's blood results after our daughter was diagnosed with Celiac earlier this week through biopsy. Our son has always had what looks like excema (torso, buttocks, thighs) that comes and goes, but does not seem to be itchy to him (he's only 2).

I'm thinking he may have Celiac because: 1. his sister has it, 2. he's very pale, 3. he has a big belly, 4. he poops 5-6 times/day, and 5. the excema looking rash.

Does the rash have to be itchy with blisters, or can it appear as excema? Or, can Celiac cause excema?

i THINK that its possible that it doesnt always have to itch... because the DH bumps on my arm sometime only burn.

also- Celiac and Gluten Intolerance can also cause Excema, Psoraisis, Dandruff, Acne... almost anything with the skin.. at least thats been my experience.

*but ive had some stubborn excema on my knuckles (even whilst being gluten-free)- and this allergic girl i follow told me it can also be from dairy.

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. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to Colleen H's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      14

      Ibuprofen

      Hi Colleen Are you supplementing B12/having injections? I have learned recently that sometimes when you start addressing a B12 deficiency, it can temporarily make your symptoms worse. But it is important not to stop the treatment. Regarding your problems with anxiety, again that is another symptom of a B12 deficiency. I didn't know...
    2. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 posted a topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      0

      My only proof

      Hello still dancing around my celiac disease and not getting medically backed up considering Ive been glutenfree since 1994.All my ailments are the core issue of my ghost disease aka celiac disease. Im angery because the "celiac specialist " basically lightly dismissed me.Im extremely angery and fighting for a new primary care physician which is hard to do...
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to wellthatsfun's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      still struggling with cravings

      I totally get this. It's absolutely a grieving process, and it's okay to feel gutted about the loss of those simple joys, especially at 18. Your feelings are completely valid—it's not about being ungrateful for your amazing boyfriend, it's about mourning the life you thought you'd have. That "tortured by the smell" feeling is so real. It does get easier, ...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Oh my goodness medication causing pain !!!!

      Many of us with celiac find that the fillers in medications can cause a reaction, and sometimes our bodies just process things weirdly. That "rebound muscle pain" and "burning feet" you described sounds awful and is a huge red flag. It's frustrating enough managing the diet without medication causing setbacks. So sorry you're dealing with this, but you're...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Me,Sue's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      1

      Knowing what to do when feeling unwell.

      It's so tough when you're doing everything right and still get hit with it. I'm glad you're figuring out a system that works for you—the peppermint tea and rehydration powders are smart moves. It sounds like you've really learned to listen to your body, and that's half the battle. Sticking to simple, safe food at home is the best way to build yourself back u...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,870
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    KRISTENE
    Newest Member
    KRISTENE
    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

    • cristiana
      Ibuprofen

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi Colleen Are you supplementing B12/having injections? I have learned recently that sometimes when you start addressing a B12 deficiency, it can temporarily make your symptoms worse.  But it is important not to stop the treatment.  Regarding your problems with anxiety, again that is another symptom of a B12 deficiency.   I didn't know what anxiety was until it hit me like a train several months before gastrointestinal issues began, so I can certainly relate.   Two books which helped me hugely were At Last A Life by Paul David (there is a website you can look up) and The Depression Cure: The Six-Step Programme to Beat Depression Without Drugs by Dr Steve Llardi.  Although his book is aimed at people who have depression, following the principals he sets out was so helpful in lessening my anxiety.  Llardi suggests we need to focus on getting enough: - physical exercise - omega-3 fatty acids - natural sunlight exposure - restorative sleep - social connectedness - meaningful, engaging activity   ... and we should feel a lot better. That is not to stay you must stop taking medication for depression or anxiety if you have been prescribed it, but adopting the changes Dr Llardi sets out in the book should really help. Can I just ask two more questions:  1) you say that you are B12 deficient, did they test your iron levels too?  If not, you really ought to be checked for deficiency and, 2) did they check your thyroid function, as an overactive thyroid can be cause rapid heartbeat and a lot of coeliacs have thyroid issues? Cristiana        
    • Jmartes71
      My only proof

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Hello still dancing around my celiac disease and not getting medically backed up considering Ive been glutenfree since 1994.All my ailments are the core issue of my ghost disease aka celiac disease. Im angery because the "celiac specialist " basically lightly dismissed me.Im extremely angery and fighting for a new primary care physician which is hard to do in Northern Cali.So currently without and looking.Im angery that its lightly taken when its extremely serious to the one who has it.My only evidence is a brochure back in the days when I got news letters when I lived at my parents.It was published in 1998.I was diagnosed before any foods eliminated from my diet. Angery doctors don't take seriously when Im clearly speaking.I did write to the medicine of congress and have case number.
    • Scott Adams
      still struggling with cravings

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I totally get this. It's absolutely a grieving process, and it's okay to feel gutted about the loss of those simple joys, especially at 18. Your feelings are completely valid—it's not about being ungrateful for your amazing boyfriend, it's about mourning the life you thought you'd have. That "tortured by the smell" feeling is so real. It does get easier, I promise, but it's okay to sit in the sadness and just vent about how much it stings right now. Thanks for sharing that. Celiac.com has published a book on our site by Jean Duane PhD called Gluten-Centric Culture, which covers many of the social aspects of having celiac disease: This chapter in particular covers issues around eating with family and others - Gluten-Centric Culture: Chapter 5 - Grabbing A Bite Together:    
    • Scott Adams
      Oh my goodness medication causing pain !!!!

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Many of us with celiac find that the fillers in medications can cause a reaction, and sometimes our bodies just process things weirdly. That "rebound muscle pain" and "burning feet" you described sounds awful and is a huge red flag. It's frustrating enough managing the diet without medication causing setbacks. So sorry you're dealing with this, but you're definitely on the right track by connecting the dots. You can search this site for prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Knowing what to do when feeling unwell.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's so tough when you're doing everything right and still get hit with it. I'm glad you're figuring out a system that works for you—the peppermint tea and rehydration powders are smart moves. It sounds like you've really learned to listen to your body, and that's half the battle. Sticking to simple, safe food at home is the best way to build yourself back up. It's great you can take the time to rest properly. Thanks for sharing what works; it's a big help to others figuring this out too. This article, and the comments below it, may be helpful:    
×
×
  • 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.