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Dh For The First Time?

JillianLindsay

By JillianLindsay
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

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JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted

I have a rash on my wrist, hand, arm, and inner thighs. I was at the zoo today! I ate lunch there (they had an allergy binder). I either have a rash just from being at the zoo or have DH from being glutened at lunch. I was diagnosed over 2 years ago and have never had DH ... Has anyone had a late onset of dh? Or am I just being paranoid, and am allergic to the zoo??? lol

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Di2011 Enthusiast
Di2011
Posted

What does the rash look like? Is it itchy, sting and/or irritating (compare it to bites and other irritations like a scratch or sharp bump)? How is it now that a few more hours have passed?

Can you post a photo ?

How much of the zoo feeding seed/nuts etc did you handle or inhale etc?

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

I didn't touch any seeds or any animal feed at the zoo. It's itchy with red bumps and about the same this morning as it was last night. I'll post a photo when I get home if it's still bothering me - thanks!

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Just washed my hands at the airport, and the rash is now on my left wrist & hand, as well as the right :angry:

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Now it's spread to my legs & tummy :( How do I post pictures? I only see the option of posting links to pictures, not uploading them to a post... thanks

Does this work? Open Original Shared Link

pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

I'd start a low iodine diet. Yesterday.

The pics aren't close up enough to see detail, but DH has a lot of variation..,

Are the bumps fluid filled at all? Any oozing at all?

Did you try an antihistimine?

Yes, this could happen if you are exposed to gluten. In DH iga is stored in the skin - and when enough iga meets enough iodine-wham. Rash. I know it's more complicated than that but you get the picture.

Celiac is a spectrum - this rash could have been put in play before your dx, waiting on the opportunity to pop out.

Or, it could be an allergic reaction.

Try low iodine.

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Ok, so I did a quick search as I was eating an apple & cheese.... and found out that cheese is high in iodine?? lol

Low iodine diet, avoid:

-iodized salt

-sea foods

-dairy products

-eggs

-chocolate

-soy

-canned foods

-food with red, orange or brown dye

Do I have it right?? How long do I have to do this????

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pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

I personally only avoid chocolate if it has milk

- since cocoa isn't an issue. You can find milk-free chocolate (although i never bothered, ate Ghiradelli semi sweet chips and junior mints).

Carageenan is a biggie - it's seaweed. Watch for that in ice cream, soft cheeses.

Everyone is different. My rash started healing about 3 days low iodine. As long as I was diligent it didn't erupt again. I stayed very low iodine for 2 weeks then added back little bits. I knew when I added too much - itching.

Others have to stay low iodine for much longer.

I know you're impatient but you'll get there. Pregnant, I mean....

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Thanks :) In answer to your previous questions, the bumps look like hives: small, red, raised bumps. They don't appear to have any fluid in them and are not oozing. I'm hesitant to take antihistamines due to the potential interference with fertility, but perhaps a topical corticosteroid cream would help the irritation? Perhaps I'll pick up some Robitussin regardless lol, am picking up a BBT themometer this aft.

Thanks for the info & moral support!

pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

Okay, here's my $0.02 on steroids.

No.

Try an antihistamine - because you need to know if this is DH or an allergy. You can attempt to counter it with Robitissin.

DH is about more than a rash. Or I should say, you need to know if it's DH so you can prevent it in the future. It can get BAD. Lets put it this way....you don't want to be in labor and have to fight about the use of iodine on your body, do you?? And that's just one example.

You need to know. Try an antihistamine.

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Yes ma'am ;)

Your point is well taken, I will take an antihistamine to rule out an allergy. If it's not better by tomorrow after an antihistamine, then I'll spend the weekend on a low-iodine diet. If that doesn't help, I'll go to the DR Monday and see if I can get a DH dx (or have it ruled out) and see a derm specialist. I know that's a quick timeline, but I've heard about and seen pictures of how bad it can get and I'd like to avoid that, especially considering the condition I'm hoping to be in as soon as possible :)

Thank you again! Off to the pharmacy like a good patient... :D

Okay, here's my $0.02 on steroids.

No.

Try an antihistamine - because you need to know if this is DH or an allergy. You can attempt to counter it with Robitissin.

DH is about more than a rash. Or I should say, you need to know if it's DH so you can prevent it in the future. It can get BAD. Lets put it this way....you don't want to be in labor and have to fight about the use of iodine on your body, do you?? And that's just one example.

You need to know. Try an antihistamine.

JillianLindsay Enthusiast
JillianLindsay
Posted
  • Author

Update: the antihistamines seem to have helped. :) The "hives" (or whatever) have definitely improved. I took a swig of Robitussin, so hopefully a single dose of antihistamine won't impact my cycle or CM this month. It certainly doesn't seem to have, I'm bloated & cramping big-time! :angry:

pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

Update: the antihistamines seem to have helped. :) The "hives" (or whatever) have definitely improved. I took a swig of Robitussin, so hopefully a single dose of antihistamine won't impact my cycle or CM this month. It certainly doesn't seem to have, I'm bloated & cramping big-time! :angry:

Well I'm glad it helped. Hives are not unusual in Celiac patients.

It may take more than one antihistamine...just like more than one swig of Robitissin. Ice packs may help, too.

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