How is Dermititis Herpitiformis and celiac disease alike?

[sonstarr]

I really don't know how the 2 differ. I have DH and have to follow a gluten free diet pretty closely. I have been on dapsone and lots of benedryl for 3 years now or so and still have some symptoms.
Is there a high incidence of type2 diabetes with this disease? Since my diagnosis I have gained almost 80 pounds because I eat mostly starches....rice,potatoes etc. It has changed my life. I am doing beter with coping with it now. At first I felt I was in China. How I found out was I went into anaphylactic shock and almost died over a whole wheat pizza. It was a horrifying experience. Is this an auto immune disorder?? Can you help me understand this illness? Even tho you are a celiac site?
THank you so much.

[aklap]

Sorry to hear you had a rough time. But at least now you know how to deal with it!

DH is a skin manifestation of CD. If you are diagnosed with DH - you are then almost always diagnosed with CD. As far as getting rid of it... a gluten free diet...the same as someone who has gastro problems.

Yes this is an autoimmune disease with high incidences in diabetes in Celiacs and vice versa. It kind of becomes a chicken and the egg riddle....which comes 1st???

Poke around this site...there is a lot info here. I suspect if you are still having problems, you may still be getting gluten somewhere in your diet.

Below are some DH links.

http://www.gluten.net/treatment.asp#dh
Just as with celiac disease, strictly following a gluten-free diet for life is the only complete treatment. It may take two or more years on a gluten-free diet for the lgA deposits under the skin to clear. Your doctors may prescribe medications for immediate relief from the itching and burning eruptions. The most common medication used is Dapsone. This medication has serious side effects and requires regular monitoring by your physician. When taken to relieve the symptoms of DH, Dapsone should be taken in the smallest effective doses for as short a time as possible. Medications for DH should not be used during pregnancy.
If you use medications to relieve the itching caused from DH, but do not follow a gluten-free diet, you run the risk of also developing the intestinal problem - celiac disease and other complications.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001480.htm

http://dermatlas.med.jhmi.edu/derm/result.cfm?Diagnosis=-577236584

http://www.dermatitisherpetiformis.org.uk/home.html

I hope this helps
_________________
Al

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

[mchess]

anaphylactic shock ???? Is that possible with CD?

[maria1223]

yes it is possiable. because it is just as if you were allergic to a bee & got stung you would need an eppi pen .If you are c/d and on a c/d diet. than you eat gluten it is a shock to your body. you really have to watch what you eat.