So Is This Dh?

[bigkane]

My wife has been telling me for a couple years now, that she suspects I have celiac disease. Now I have developed a really aggravating rash, it's very itchy, and even though I haven't been scratching it, it's raw. My question is, does anyone think this is DH?? Open Original Shared Link

[rosetapper23]

Yes, I think it's QUITE possible that you have DH. Have you considered going on a gluten-free diet? If so, please eliminate iodine for a while, too, since it exacerbates DH. (P.S. Give your wife a kiss! She's a smart lady!)

[squirmingitch]

Yes, I think it's QUITE possible that you have DH. Have you considered going on a gluten-free diet? If so, please eliminate iodine for a while, too, since it exacerbates DH. (P.S. Give your wife a kiss! She's a smart lady!)

Ditto!

[JaneWhoLovesRain]

Well, it's sure in the right spot for DH. Do you have it anywhere else? It looks similar to my rash. I'd say the only way to know for sure is to have it biopsied but unfortunately that isn't always accurate.

Jane

[bigkane]

Well, it's sure in the right spot for DH. Do you have it anywhere else? It looks similar to my rash. I'd say the only way to know for sure is to have it biopsied but unfortunately that isn't always accurate.

Jane

Thanks for the replies. I currently have it also on my inner thighs on both legs midway down to my knee, and it's starting in my underarm area as well. I went to the Doc today and he's sending me to allergist. So we'll see what's going on hopefully. He did prescribe a steroid dose pack, but I'm not sure if that'll help.

[rosetapper23]

If they end up doing a biopsy, INSIST that they biopsy the clear skin NEXT to the lesions. If they biopsy the lesions themselves for DH, they will come up as false-negatives. Very few dermatologist know how to correctly biopsy for DH. Good luck there!

[JaneWhoLovesRain]

Thanks for the replies. I currently have it also on my inner thighs on both legs midway down to my knee, and it's starting in my underarm area as well. I went to the Doc today and he's sending me to allergist. So we'll see what's going on hopefully. He did prescribe a steroid dose pack, but I'm not sure if that'll help.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe should it come to you having a biopsy the steroids will affect those resuls (false negative). Just something to keep in mind.

[rosetapper23]

I think you're right--steroids might skew the biopsy results. The poster should have been referred to dermatologist and not an allergist.

[squirmingitch]

Steroids, topical or oral will make a biopsy of the rash, or a celiac blood panel or an endoscopic biopsy NEGATIVE. No steroids should be used for 2 months prior to any testing.

Yes, the op should have been referred to a dermatologist.

And to top things off; generally celiacs with dh test neg. on the blood panel & endoscopic biopsy.

AND for the skin biopsy you MUST be actively consuming gluten or else you get a false negative.

Some links:

Interesting Reading on DH:

Descriptions of DH Types:

Help for the Itching, Stinging, Burning, Pain of DH:

DH Photobank:

Newbie 101 for celiacs