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Is This Dermatitis Herpetiformis? (Pics)


fitnessfreak

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fitnessfreak Newbie

I have no symptoms such as abdominal discomfort or malnutrition but skin problems.

Here are Pics: http://i.imgur.com/XToFi.webp

http://i.imgur.com/J6I9a.webp

Is it related to gluten?

I removed gluten from my diet for 6 days with this result:

http://i.imgur.com/sWeKP.webp

http://i.imgur.com/7AyKW.webp


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rosetapper23 Explorer

Well, it doesn't look like mine, but I'm sure there are others on this forum who DO experience DH the way that you do. Apparently, it presents differently with different people.

That said, there are other skin conditions that are aggravated by gluten, such as eczema. If you saw improvement--and your photos indicate this--you may wish to avoid gluten for a while to see if the rash disappears. Then you can try eating it again, and if your rash reappears, you at least know that gluten is something your body does not do well with.

However, it would be a good idea to ask a doctor to run a full celiac panel (bloodtest) and even possibly take a biopsy of CLEAR SKIN NEXT TO A LESION to see if it's actually DH. There are very few doctors and dermatologists who understand that the biopsy should NOT be taken of the lesion itself; otherwise, the results are negative. The reason why I'm suggesting that you get tested is that you might, in fact, have celiac disease; and while you are not currently feeling ill, damage is being done to your small intestine. This can have a tragic outcome. If you KNOW you have celiac, you're more likely to be extremely careful about cross-contamination. Otherwise, when people aren't sure whether or not they have it, they occasionally cheat and eat foods containing gluten...and this can be very bad. So....if you'd like to be tested, you'll need to return to eating gluten for a while.

Others will offer their advice and opinions--consider all of the information and make an informed, personal decision.

  • 4 weeks later...
fitnessfreak Newbie

Thankyou for your answer. I suspect it can be hives.? It's really puzzling and its a large source of stress for me.

I went to a skin doctor, who said that I don't have any serious skin condition. He said it is just because of hot weather and will heal on its own. I live in a backward state of India and food intolerance is unheard of here.

Although people know about food allergies but not one does about celiac disease. If I tell any doctor that I suspect I have allergy to gluten/wheat- everybody laughs.

squirmingitch Veteran

My opinion is the same as rosetapper.

lovegrov Collaborator

Doesn't look like mine did.

richard

Jackson Newbie

This doesn't look like any of my DH breakouts!

  • 2 months later...
zamm0 Apprentice

not like mine


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sisterlynr Explorer

Does not look like my rash. Have you checked online about Keratosis Pilaris? My nephew sometimes has a rash that appears the same as yours. May be due to gluten. . . .but not DH rash?

  • 3 weeks later...
karinschm Newbie

I had these little things on my face very often -- they didn't icht or hurt. It seemed like milia, actually. Coincidentally, when I was diagnosed with celiac disease and started a gluten free diet, they disappeared. I don't think they're DH but they may be related to gluten, yes.

As for the second dermatitis, I never had -- but if they improved after removing gluten, good for you! :)

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      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
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