Is DH ALWAYS Itchy ?!?

[NorthernElf]

Oh the struggles with all this stuff...

I have spent the last few days in a gluten haze - I think it was contaminated bruschetta that I kept eating. Anyway, I get a rash around my face & nose and it is definitely worse.

It looks like small pimples with white heads. They are very tender and seem to come in clusters. They weep and are red & raised.

My doc gave me some gel for rosacea (admitting she didn't know what the problem was) and it doesn't prevent it from happening but seems to keep it at bay, until I get glutened.

Can this be DH ? Should I ask for a biopsy ? Yeah, I know, on the face. I still don't have a confirmed diagnosis (long story, tests done wrong or when I was GF and doc is useless). I have just read that DH is symmetrical and itchy. I guess my rash is sorta symmetrical but not very itchy.

[gluten-free-mike]

NorthernElf,

Sorry to hear about the symptoms.

I don't know if it is always itchy. And, I am not sure that is what I got from gluten consumption or not -- I had "hives", at least that is how I describe them. Small puffy reddish bumps, almost always on my forearms and around elbow areas after eating the stuff. And, those suckers sure did itch! It did not seem to matter if I put hydrocortisone on them or not, they would itch for a couple hours and then just disappear.

A biopsy sounds a bit overkill. I understand the whole "useless docs" thing -- they just don't get Celiac in general. But, I'd sure check with a dermatologist (or two) prior to biopsy.

Seems like the thing you need to focus on, like all of us, is avoiding contaminated foods. It is rough, but it can be done most of the time. Good luck, and post the outcome.
_________________
Mike
GF Since 2003
Severe weakness for Desserts

[Fidissimus]

Elf, if you're already dx'ed celiac having your bumps biopsied seems redundant. DH is a form of eczema that is only associated with CD. If the only time you break out in a rash is after consuming gluten then I would think it might be best to just avoid it. By the way, was it GF bruschetta? (or were you just too tempted? )
_________________
Cheers!
Jenn

GF BD: Feb. 2001
Free of wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, dairy, eggs, almonds, pineapple and brewers yeast.
http://graindamaged.blogspot.com/

[aklap]

To my knowledge, you have to biopsy a section of the lesion to get a "gold standard" dx for DH I think maybe that is what Elf is referencing.
_________________
Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[ostrich]

*perks up at the mention of GF bruschetta*
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[isto]

Mine is horribly itchy! I always know I've had gluten by the DH first, then the gut stuff!
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[D horne]

* wondering what GF bruschetta is?* I've had a severe case of "undiagnosed" DH since last fall - takes a couple weeks for the bumps to completely disappear... dermatologist precribed "clobex" expensive even with insurance but it helps with the itching and seems to clear them up a little quicker. i HAD a biopsy of the rash before I suspected DH - results come back / autoimmune characteristics (uh huh) but they suggested Lupus or Rheum. Arthritis... tested for Lupus (negative)

[ostrich]

Welcome D! The doc did the same thing for me: took multiple biopsies, prescribed drugs that didn't do much, etc. For awhile she thought I had Lupus too. I found out I was getting CC. Once I got rid of the CC the rash didn't come back.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

I lie below, you float above
In the pretty white ships that I am dreaming of

[aklap]