DH & Negative Blood Work

[westphilly]

Hi folks --

Thought I'd give an update just in case anyone is curious. My symptoms have calmed down slightly but haven't gone away (again, who knows why -- I can't identify anything that I've changed recently -- we're going on 7 weeks of constant itch now, by far the longest outbreak I've ever had).

I finally went back to the dermatologist who initially diagnosed me with eczema a year ago, and she told me it was eczema again, and her only solution was to give me more of the steroids that I had already told her weren't really working. I didn't specifically bring up DH, but made a few mentions of familial wheat intolerance, which she completely blew off. I told her I didn't see the point of using more steroids, and so here I am in the exact same position I was in before the appointment (itchy, off medication, with an eczema diagnosis, and no one has any idea what my triggers are).

So, I'm going back to my PCP (whom I trust) to get her input on the situation, and I've scheduled another derm appointment with the derm department at a major teaching hospital here in Philly to get second opinion (both in early March). We'll see what happens!

[ostrich]

I'm sorry West. Sounds like your dermatologist and my dermatologist would get along great. She was all over the steroids too. Going to a teaching hospital is a great idea! I might look into that myself. Please keep us updated.

Have you tried the cold compresses? Do they help? You might be reacting to something other than gluten. Have you had an allergy test done? Or have you tried keeping a food journal?
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Ostrich :>--O==={

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

[westphilly]

I had an allergist do a pinprick test, and I'm basically not allergic to much of anything (I'm very mildly allergic to dust mites and mold, but no food, animal, plant allergies). That (plus the fact that I've never had allergies, hay fever, or asthma, even as a kid) is why I'm skeptical of an adult-onset eczema diagnosis, and why I'm so confused about what's triggering this reaction.

The cold compresses do help, thanks! I've also found that wearing clothes during the day that make it harder to scratch myself helps, too (wearing tights and tall boots as opposed to pants and socks, for example -- they make it so that I can't really do damage to myself while I'm in public). I just started a food diary, too!

This derm that I was going to is a solo practitioner who does a lot of cosmetic stuff for fairly well-to-do patients. I figured that I might have better luck if I go to a dermatology office where they aren't doing Botox on-site -- I figure they're probably exposed to more unusual conditions on a regular basis [as opposed to spending most of their day surrounded by healthy people wanting elective procedures] and will be better able to say once and for all what's going on.

[celiacmaine-iac]

Getting another opinion seems like a good idea. I hope someone has an answer for you soon.

I've still had one area on my leg that has been itching, though mostly at night when the leg gets warm. Thankfully, it's not itching 24/7 anymore. I found something that has been helping that. Before bed I've been putting on aloe vera gel, and have not been itching at night at all, unless I forget it. I found it in a tube. The name of it is aloe99. It might be worth trying, as long as you're not allergic to aloe vera.

Keep us posted.

Steph

[ostrich]

[rpf1007]

I went to a dermatologist when i continued to get blisters on my elbows and knees. At the time, I only had one tiny blister but I explained how they came and went....how itchy my skin was etc...and he said DH right away and was almost positive about it. He did a biopsy to be sure and he was right. Ironically now that I am GF for about 4 weeks, all my stomach issues are resolving too!
I went to a dermatologist at a university medical center. I hope your second opinion helps!!!

[aklap]

Hi RPF,

Welcome to the board! Glad to hear you got a Derm that picked up on that. It's not surprising to hear that your stomach issues are disappearing too. BONUS!

Keep up the good work.
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Al

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