DH. Can it appear anywhere?

[Timetrvlr]

RE: DH. Can it appear anywhere?

That's my question too. A red rash, some with tiny white blisters, first appeared on my right forearm and hand. Later, it appeared on both forearms, elbows, and back. Now it's all over the body but worst on arms and back. Driving me nuts itching! My former Doctor wasn't too concerned, "No one ever died from pain/itching". She somehow misplaced the biopsies she did 5 weeks ago so no results have been forthcoming.

I switched Doctors yesterday and the new guy is starting all over trying to figure out what is causing the itchy rash. I mentioned to him that I thought it might be DH and that I had been negotiating the minefields of gluten and hoped I was gluten free now. However, we are starting on the assumption that it may be anything. I'll let him do the diagnosis. He started me on 40Mg of Prednisone for five days in hopes of clearing up the rash. I see him again on Monday.

[celiacmaine-iac]

I had a gluten related rash. The biopsy was negative, but I believe it was done incorrectly. I am convinced I have DH since the rash totally cleared after a couple of months being GF.

When it first started it was limited to my forearms and left shin. By the time I went GF I had lesions on my back, buttocks, lower abdomen, forearms, both shins and knees, and a few blisters on my scalp. It itched so severely that I was only sleeping about 2 hrs. a night and only because I fell asleep from sheer exhaustion. I literally had no intact, healthy skin on the areas I mentioned.

I was put on a prednisone taper, which did nothing for the rash or itching. There were no topical meds or steroids that worked either. It only resolved when I went gluten-free.

I read once that DH tends to appear on areas that are either areas of skin that receive pressure or areas that incur an injury. It seemed to be the case with me. My right shin got the rash right after I got a sunburn on it. My back became affected after I got a small scratch on it. I'm sorry I can't cite the article. My mother board blew on my computer so I lost all my bookmarks when I switched PC's. I will see if I can find it. I know I posted the link on a thread here in the DH section of the board, but can't remember which thread.

I sincerely hope your doctor gets you a quick diagnosis. Good luck!
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Steph