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  • Sarah  Curcio
    Sarah  Curcio

    Celiac Disease and Dermatitis Herpetiformis

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    It’s a skin condition characterized by groups of itchy blisters that commonly occur on pressure points such as the elbows, the front of the knees, the buttocks, back, shoulders, face, and scalp.

    Celiac Disease and Dermatitis Herpetiformis - Some with DH claim it feels as bad as getting poison oak. Image: CC BY-SA 2.0--DavidDennisPhotos.com
    Caption: Some with DH claim it feels as bad as getting poison oak. Image: CC BY-SA 2.0--DavidDennisPhotos.com

    Celiac.com 07/09/2020 - Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide, and is treated by a gluten-free diet. However, there’s also dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) to consider, which is basically celiac disease of the skin instead of the intestines. 

    It’s a skin condition characterized by groups of itchy blisters that commonly occur on pressure points such as the elbows, the front of the knees, the buttocks, back, shoulders, face, and scalp. However, they can occur anywhere on the body. Dermatitis herpetiformis is eruptions can be very painful, and the itchy rashes may progress to red, raised patches of skin that can develop into small, watery blisters.  

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    To get a DH diagnosis you need to make an appointment with a gastrointestinal (GI) doctor and a dermatologist. Note that you need to continue to consume gluten until all tests for celiac disease and DH are concluded, and for DH a doctor will take a skin biopsy. (It should heal relatively quickly, with very little scarring.) Then, a lab will use dye to see if you have IgA in a particular type of pattern. This tells your doctor whether you have dermatitis herpetiformis or not. They can help you to get the inflamed reaction under control with cortisone (a steroid), while you simultaneously begin your lifestyle adjustment of not eating wheat, rye, barley, oats, and even dairy (specifically casein because the protein is very similar to that in gluten.) 

    After diagnosis you will need to maintain a 100% gluten-free diet, and you’ll need to use topical products that are gluten-free as well. Be sure to double check your makeup (lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow, eyeliner, blush, etc.), hand lotions, facial wipes, detergents, soaps, sanitizers, perfumes, bug spray, sunblock, and much more.

    Basically, what it comes down to is reading all ingredients, checking FAQ sections on websites, and calling the manufacturer directly to question cross contamination procedures. Taking these extra precautions will help to keep your skin clear, smooth, and free from continuing outbreaks.  

    However, even with doing all of the above the healing time can be different for everyone. Some individuals heal in a few months, while some take a couple of years. Even if you’re clear for years but accidentally get gluten from cross contamination, you could suffer another outbreak. This is why it’s very important to be extra focused on your nutrition and beauty products after a positive DH diagnosis. 

    dermatitis_amine33.webp

     

    A picture of DH from one of our forum members "amine33".

    References: 

    Edited by Scott Adams



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    Guest Shannon Crews

    Posted

    I have celiac disease and when I am accidentally exposed to gluten I notice my psoriasis beaks our. It usually takes 7-10 for it to calm back down. When I’m extremely careful (not eating out) my skin is clear with no psoriasis outbreaks.

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    cyclinglady
    9 hours ago, Guest Shannon Crews said:

    I have celiac disease and when I am accidentally exposed to gluten I notice my psoriasis beaks our. It usually takes 7-10 for it to calm back down. When I’m extremely careful (not eating out) my skin is clear with no psoriasis outbreaks.

    Yep, all autoimmune is related.  My thyroid Enlargement and nodules are no longer detectable since I went gluten free to treat my celiac disease. Keeping my immune system calm has improved my health.  

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    Craig Simms

    Interesting, for more than 40 years doctors told me I had psoriasis on my elbows. Turns out it was Dermatitis Herpetiformis. I am in the 1 percent, during this time doctors also told me I was not Celiac. Does anyone understand the the process for analyzing villi after an internal biopsy of the intestines? What doctors look for is atrophy of villi, should you not show atrophy it is assumed you are not Celiac. That in no way proves that the villi can not absorb nutrition, it is an assumption. 1 percent of Celiacs have DH, which confirms it. Furthermore, my symptoms confirmed it....Dry eyes, mouth sores, glossitis, loss of gallbladder, unnecessary surgery for inguinal hernia, ataxia, aphasia, dementia, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypoglycemia, swollen lymph nodes, swollen joints "misdiagnosed" as lyme disease and/or arthritis, constant headaches. That is just the tip of the iceberg. Each and every symptom can be directly related to malnutrition. The vast majority of people suffering from DH, show nearly normal villi, but that does not mean that villi can not absorb nutrition. Lots of study needed here. My two year old nearly died after doctors thought his emaciation was due to cystic fibrosis, or a brain tumor. Had it not been for me demanding a Celiac test he would have died. He was the first in our family to be diagnosed Celiac. I did research on my whole family and found that doctors misdiagnosed my parents and brother as having Alzheimer's when in actuality they were undiagnosed Celiacs, as was I. I went gluten free, could finally absorb nutrition after 45 years and after doctors told me I had less than a year to live, I am healthier now than my first 45 years...I am 61 now. My 20+ years of study and research shows that "all" dementia is related to longterm malnutrition, Celiacs leading the vast majority of misdiagnosed Alzheimer's. I would like to work with Scott Adams and prove that anyone suffering from dementia of all kinds can be reversed with proper nutrition. There is at least one neurologist that wrote a book titled "Grain Brain", he was close but not accurate. His claim was grains caused dementia when in fact it is malnutrition. He notes his patients turned out to be undiagnosed Celiacs. I can prove dementia is caused by malnutrition with my before and after PET scans. I successfully reversed my dementia when I was able to absorb nutrition..so was many other documented Celiacs. Before someone starts playing the credential game with me, note this, I have a genius IQ and can prove this too...never chose to be a doctor, not even close to my most respected professions. Happy to have saved my life, my family's lives, and looking to save millions more. I believe with Scott Adams' platform and respect that the medical community has for him, working together we can change the lives of millions misdiagnosed with DEMENTIA.

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  • About Me

    Sarah  Curcio

    Sarah Curcio is a health and wellness writer and advocate. She's also an Amazon Best Selling Author. 

    She has worked with many different coaches, but her real passion is working with health coaches. 

    Since 2011, she has been the founder and leader of Celiac and Allergy Support. Come and join the support group here: www.meetup.com/allergy.


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