Dh?

[redheadheather]

Do you have to have a complete "outbreak" of DH to be tested for it? I believe DS has/had it (he is + for gluten intolerance).

Thanks-

[frenchiemama]

The way understand it, the IgA deposits remain in the skin for months or even years after going gluten-free. So they should still be able to take a biopsy.

[lovegrov]

My understanding is that you have to have an active outbreak before they can take a biopsy sample.

richard

[frenchiemama]

Well, I've been looking it up and everything I find says that the biopsy should be taken from normal skin but nothing specifies whether or not there needs to be an active breakout. You should probably talk to a doctor to find out for sure, but if you're interested here are a couple of articles that I found:

"Dermatitis herpetiformis is diagnosed by a special skin test. A very small piece of skin is taken under a local anaesthetic as an outpatient procedure. The test is carried out on skin NOT affected by the rash."

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"The diagnosis of DH is made by a simple skin test. A small piece of skin approximately 3 mms in diameter is taken from an unaffected area, ie. normal looking skin. The skin is examined for the presence of a substance called IgA (immunoglobulin A) and is found at a specific site in the skin. Although the test is simple, it is important a laboratory experienced in the procedure undertakes the examination of the skin. "

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Hope that helps.