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Dh?


MrsSprinkles

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MrsSprinkles Rookie

Does this look like anyone's DH? It's affecting both elbows and itches like crazy...this is actually my little sister and she has had flares of this rash for the last two years and it always happens on both elbows at the same time and always looks like this but sometimes worse...

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jlaw Apprentice

Hi Mrs Sprinkles. Does the rash appear anywhere else? Does it show any signs of inflammation? I would say that DH is a small possibility but would probably expect to see more areas involved by now. This is how my son looked about 5 weeks ago, and of course I am suspicious because of my own diagnosis! So I googled something like 'bumpy skin on elbows' and came up with a number of other possibilities that could be worth checking out. Sorry your sister is so itchy. Good luck on your quest and please ask any questions you might think of.

MrsSprinkles Rookie

She gets it on her knees every so often too. Some backstory: she has had the rash for two years now on and off but mostly on...she has suffered constipation since infancy, and her enamel is discolored...

Yesterday she stayed home from school because she had a severe stomach ache and interestingly her elbows flared up the same day her stomach hurt and said they itched more than they typically do.

She has gone to the doctor and did all sorts of tests minus vitamins which I found odd because both my mother and I struggle to maintain iron and Vit D levels even with supplements. They tested for AI issues and came back well within normal limits...unlike my doctors who think I'm crazy, her docs are moving towards testing her for celiac disease an sending her to GI.

MrsSprinkles Rookie

Forgot to mention...doctors said rash is not eczema and derm said she wasn't sure what it was because it comes and goes and has been an ongoing issue...my mother wasn't willing to biopsy then because my sister was only 7 and my mom is the type of person who would tell you to put a bandaid over your severed leg so she isn't one to rush to doctors for anything even if its recommended.

Hopeful1950 Explorer

I have a friend who has DH. This is how his rash presented for many years before it spread to his ankles and the back of his neck.

MrsSprinkles Rookie

She is also ALWAYS complaining of a severe stomach ache (which is a reason the did an X-ray and only saw she was constipated--nothing new) and her stomach problems have been so severe she has cried in pain and missed several days of school.

jlaw Apprentice

Oh no :-( Definitely starting to sound more suspicious. Hopeful's information is interesting too. As I said, this is how my son looked 5 weeks ago. Now he has suspicious patches on his ankles, back of his neck and back of his hand...maybe the same path as your friend, Hopeful, just a little quicker...


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    • klmgarland
      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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      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
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