DH. Can it appear anywhere?

[mikehall117]

I have been suffering from a red itchy scaly rash on my scalp for about 15 -20 years. The rash is completely linked to my diet and when I eliminate gluten from my diet (or all carbohydrates as I did a few years ago) the rash totally clears after a few weeks and only returns when I introduce gluten again. I don't have any pictures but it certainly looks like DH - red, pimply, water-filled, flaky and itchy.

I sometimes also get breakouts on my chest and eyebrows too but never anywhere else. The itching can be controlled with a medicated shampoo which also helps the flaking skin but it never clears up unless I change my diet. I saw a doctor many years ago who said it was just cerebral dermatitis and prescribed the shampoo.

I am currently GF and have no rash whatsoever!

Does this sound like DH? I know that it typically appears on the elbows and knees but I would like to know if anyone has experienced it on their scalp.

[jsb]

I have seborrhea on my scalp which has unfortunately not gone away with GF. If I'm grain free and sugar free, I think it gets a lot better, but it's been a while since I have done that. Mine gets very itchy, scaly, and red.
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Jen
GF since 10/07

[ostrich]

Don't think I've ever gotten it on my scalp. It usually appears on my shins. I think the key word is "typically".
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Ostrich :>--O==={

Time falls away, but these small hours
These little wonders still remain

[Timetrvlr]

[smalltownslackermom]

I have found these quotes when checking out info on DH:
"Dermatitis herpetiformis is an intensely itchy bullous rash. It characteristically affects extensor surfaces, particularly the scalp, buttocks, elbows and knees. However, lesions can occur on any area of skin."

"Dermatitis herpetiformis characteristically affects the scalp, buttocks, elbows and knees but lesions may arise on any area of skin. Extremely itchy bumps (prurigo papules) and blisters (vesicles) up to 1 cm in diameter arise on normal or reddened skin. The severity can vary from week to week but it rarely clears up without specific treatment."

Scalp appears first in the list both times. The first is from
http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Dermatitis-Herpetiformis.htm
the second from
http://dermnetnz.org/immune/dermatitis-herpetiformis.html
Perhaps Docs don't look for it much on the scalp or we fail to mention it. I never mentioned my horribly painful things on my scalp to a Dr. I was so used to having skin problems and being brushed off by Drs that I assumed it was normal to some degree or just that I "have sensitive skin".

The really painful what-i-thought-were-pimples-or-a-reaction-to-shampoo sores I used to get on my scalp have gone away on a gluten-free diet also. I assume I was a likely candidate for DH but have no tests to prove it. Between my gut reaction to gluten and my skin clearing up however, I have plenty of motivation to stay gluten-free.
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son - high ttg - 4/09, pos. biopsy 5/09
self - negative blodwork 5/09, pos. biopsy 11/09
sister - gf for 2 years and is a new person