Dermatitis Herpetiformis- Ithcy bumps on head, face, groin

[KevinKa]

I have very itchy bumps mostly on scalp/hair but a few on my face and a couple

in my groin.  They never go away but get worse for a few days if I come across

some gluten by accident.  I read Dr. Google of course and think it is

Dermatitis Herpetiformis.  Anybody have the same type of issue?  Open to

any treatments as they are driving me crazy!!!  Thanks and stay healthy!!

[Amanda812]

I had this same issue.  I had to change ALL of my hygiene items.  I had to replace all of my soaps, lotions, deoderant, oils, make-up, and anything else I put on my skin to gluten free items.  

[Scott Adams]

So to determine if it really is DH a dermatologist would need to do a biopsy of a blister to confirm it, and if it is DH you would need to go gluten-free to control it. Dapsone can be prescribed but it can have some serious side effects, so controlling it with a GF diet is the better choice.

Also, you may want to keep eating gluten until all tests for DH and/or celiac disease are finished, otherwise you could get false negative results.

[ravenwoodglass]

  On 4/16/2020 at 9:23 PM, Scott Adams said:

So to determine if it really is DH a dermatologist would need to do a biopsy of a blister to confirm it, and if it is DH you would need to go gluten-free to control it. Dapsone can be prescribed but it can have some serious side effects, so controlling it with a gluten-free diet is the better choice.

Also, you may want to keep eating gluten until all tests for DH and/or celiac disease are finished, otherwise you could get false negative results.

Expand Quote  

Please make sure the derm is familiar with how to biopsy. If they biopsy the lesion it will be a false negative. (I had lots of derms do the biopsy in the wrong place greatly delaying my diagnosis) The biopsy needs to be done next to an active lesion not on it. 

[cyclinglady]

This is exactly how the biopsy is supposed to be done:

https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/related-conditions/dermatitis-herpetiformis/

[Awol cast iron stomach]

I also get burning before the itch. I still erupt with cc which I very much try to avoid. 

Good luck

[psig]

DH is an unusual rash in that it is mostly symmetrical - down the centerline of scalp, stomach, back or on both elbows, shoulders, knees, thighs, etc., and yes, very itchy. And, yes, bothered by gluten in personal care products on your skin. DH is generally in combination with Celiac and Hashimotos, all autoimmune diseases. So if not already, have your thyroid tested, and go 100% off gluten. After years, and misdiagnosed by scores of doctors, my DH cleared immediately when I went off gluten. Being gluten-free negates accuracy of blood and biopsy tests for Celiac but does not impact accurate results of stool and genetic tests so there are still options available if you do not want to go back to eating gluten.