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Possible To Treat Symptoms Without Dapsone?

Afternoon

By Afternoon
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

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Afternoon Rookie
Afternoon
Posted

I don't have health insurance and can't afford a trip to the doctor for a prescription. Are there any herbal or over-the-counter remedies I can try?

This is my first dermatitis flare-up. I am 23 and have been on a gluten-free diet for 9 years, but I started getting fluid-filled blisters a few days ago, after accidental exposure to wheat. I'm hoping they will clear up on their own if I avoid another exposure, but they itch like mad and it's hard not to scratch. Two have apparently become infected as they are weeping a yellow fluid. Please help!

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momxyz Contributor
momxyz
Posted

Try some cortizone cream. I think the strongest strength you can get over the counter is 1%.

It will help with the itching, although you make have to reapply it a couple of times throughout the day and evening.

Rite aid has a formulation that combines the cortizone with something to relieve pain, that seems to be more soothing than the ointment.

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

It should clear up if you avoid gluten (you might also stay away from sources of iodine like iodized salt and shellfish for a little bit). If it doesn't, do you have a public health clinic you could visit on the cheap?

richard

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      Hey @Morgan Tiernan, Sounds just like my experience. I was diagnosed with dermatitis herpetiformis over 10 years ago. It appeared suddenly as a very itchy rash which looked like Eczema. When a steroid cream didn't clear it up, my Dermatologist (who had come across it before) suspected dermatitis herpetiformis and performed a skin biopsy which came back positive for dermatitis herpetiformis. The important thing is to get a definitive diagnosis of dermatitis herpetiformis. What you've described sounds like classic dermatitis herpetiformis though. Hopefully, your Dermatologist has come across dermatitis herpetiformis before and performs the skin biopsy correctly as trents mentioned. I've had the blisters on the knees, hips, forearms/elbows or anywhere that pressure is applied to the skin ... from clothing or otherwise. They itch like nothing on earth, and yes salt from sweat or soaps/shower gels will irritate a lot. I've been on Dapsone and it is very very effective at eliminating the dermatitis herpetiformis itch, and improved my quality of life in the early stages of getting on top of dermatitis herpetiformis while I adjusted to the gluten-free diet. But it does have various side effects as trents said. It can effect the red blood cells, lowering hemoglobin and can cause anemia, and requires regular blood monitoring whilst on it. You would need to consider it carefully with your Dermatologist if you do have dermatitis herpetiformis. Here's a very informative webinar from Coeliac Canada discussing everything dermatitis herpetiformis related.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAdmsNiyfOw I've also found this recent interview with a Dermatologist about dermatitis herpetiformis to be educational.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZnLeKutgUY Keep the chin up and keep advocating for yourself for a proper diagnosis. Though it sounds like you're on top of that already. Are you in the UK or Ireland? I'm curious because your surname is Irish. 
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      Thanks again everyone! Twenty mins on here way more helpful than both Dr's combined 😅
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