The Gluten Intolerance Group of North America on Iodine and Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Having been recently diagnosed. I was unaware about Iodine's role, which makes me believe that staying away from shell fish (for 20 years) has played some role in this illness. Thank you

An eye opener, no one ever told me about this link. I have used sea salt since diagnosis, found I have an intolerance to all seaweed products, and now I'm wondering if this is why I can't get my dermatitis to clear up. Thanks for starting this thought process!!

I never heard about iodine before and now I will talk to my doctor about it. Thanks !!!

I made the connection between my Dermatitis Herpetiformis and iodine 16 years ago and was able to clear up the blisters by avoiding sources of iodine. However, even after I found out I had celiac five years ago, I didn't connect the blister outbreaks to celiac until I read Dr. Green's book. When he stated that iodine was the trigger, I almost jumped out of my chair. Now everything was clear-- celiac was actually the cause, while iodine was merely the trigger. Unfortunately, because I avoided iodine for 16 years, my thyroid essentially 'died' last year, and since all thyroid meds contain iodine, I break out in blisters at the slightest gluten contamination. My back is also covered with an itchy rash, my throat is sore, and my thyroid is inflamed. My doctors seem at a loss at treating this sensitivity to iodine. So, I would like to reiterate Dr. Green's advice to not completely avoid iodine--your thyroid needs it to be healthy.

Thank you for this insightful information. I have always found that my eczema gets worse when I eat prawns and now I know why. I will definitely be on the look-out for foods high in iodine in the future so as to avoid them.

Really helpful. Since so many of us have thyroid problems too and must take supplements, this is a big issue. There is not much clear information out there and doctors don't seem so well informed.

My son Andrew is 15 years old now, he was diagnosis with Dermatitis Herpetaformis at 8, has been rash-free for 5 years by being on a Gluten Free diet continuously and Iodine free diet for approximately 6 months after his initial diagnosis). He has recently relapsed, I believe he has been eating more fast foods, going through puberty, and has been in the ocean 3-4 times a week for several months now possibly absorbing iodine through his skin. I am unsure if puberty and the absorption through the skin can trigger Dermatitis Herpetaformis. He is looking and feeling terrible, so frustrating for him and me as a mother.

At 33 years old I finally got diagnosed with celiac this year with a simple blood test (after 3 years of gut pain). To make up for my lack of vitamins - I was taking a fantastic, all inclusive vitamin religiously in addition to a gluten free diet. My gut was great, but I got wicked cases of 'poison ivy' 3 times in one summer - a record even for me. THANK YOU for this article. I switched off the vitamin, which was high in iodine and haven't had a major outbreak since. I did get a prescription for Fluocinonide .05% a topical steroid that helped before I knew to cut back on iodine. Now it seems that I can usually just cut back on shrimp intake (had a flare up on vacation when eating lots of shrimp) and that stops the rash from spreading and turning into the big bumps.

Usually going in the ocean soothes skin rashes. Does anyone know if it's bad for a person with Dermatitis Herpetiformis to go into the ocean?

Thank you! I recently started taking kelp, and the watery blisters I got from gluten intolerance multiplied and became worse. I had no idea about the relationship between the two until now.

Very informative, thank you very much for this. Research keeps bringing us new information.

Usually going in the ocean soothes skin rashes. Does anyone know if it's bad for a person with Dermatitis Herpetiformis to go into the ocean?

Live in Hawaii and our ocean is like a medicine for lots of ailments. BUT, nowadays, if you have an open cut, it's advised not to go into the ocean. There are "new unknown" bacteria or particles in the ocean more than ever. Your little cut can become infected so quickly. In my days, it was good to go into the waters and have nature's ocean clean the cut and heal it.

I'd say, with an inflamed case of dermatitis herpetiformis, don't go in the waters. When my son's skin looks better I'll take him to the beach. He'll even tell me when his skin feels better.

My 7 year old son just got diagnosed with dermatitis herpetiformis. With the help of a new dermatologist, my son's mystery skin has a name. Our doctor was so nice to explain to me about dermatitis herpetiformis and its nickname "suicidal itch".

After 5 years of 3 dermatologists, 1 allergist, and pediatricians all saying that he just has an extreme eczema or dyshidrosis or some severe mystery skin. Though I had pictures of his "angry skin", no one went outside the "box" of eczema. I knew something was different. Every one would tell me that they knew what we were going through, Yet none of them could understand or relate to me and my son when I told them that there has been lots of staph infections and ER nights and just no sleeping.

Even my son's school staff has been challenging.

Sorry, just so happy with this new world of dermatitis herpetiformis and trying to go gluten-free 100% (or as much as possible) yet a little perturbed with professionals that are closed minded to "outside of the box" learning something new.