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Does Dh Have To Be Itchy?

anna34

By anna34
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

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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?

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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.

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