Do I Have To Eat Gluten To Be Diagnosed For Dermatitis Herpetiformis?

[carlao]

New here, have been suffering from a symmetrical, intensely itchy rash for 3 months. Family doctor thought at first it was contact dermatitis and prescribed multiple antihistamines and topicals. Nothing helped.

She has no idea what the rash is and referred me to a dermatologist (2 month wait). In the meantime, I stopped all gluten for 10 days and went in for a follow up. The rash was much improved. She did a gluten antibody test and it was negative - but was this result valid after no gluten for 10 days?

I stayed gluten free for 5 weeks and noticed more improvement in the rash and felt generally much better - no stomach cramping, diarrhea, or fatigue, all of which have been bothering me for the last 5 years. Now, at 2 weeks prior to the dermatologist appointment, I re-started gluten, at the doctor's suggestion. And I feel horrible after only 4 days of eating gluten! Rash is worse again, diarrhea, fatigue, etc.

Can I stop the gluten again before the dermatologist appointment? I am wondering if it is worth getting a positive diagnosis if I have to feel this bad!

[pricklypear1971]

Technically, the iga antibodies are still in your skin if you have a rash. But they do start to fall when you stop eating gluten.

In the UK they say you must eat gluten. Here, I don't see it.

My personal experience was the antibodies fell quickly, based on tgecrash I had about 5 mOnths gluten-free. It was much much less severe.

So, no one really knows on an individual basis. Yours could fall fast, or not.

It's your call.