Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Can Dh Be Mistaken For Hives?

Mac55

By Mac55
in Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Recommended Posts

Mac55 Apprentice
Mac55
Posted

I found out I have Celiac about a month ago. In my research I read a bit about DH. I don't have it but my friend's daughter has unexplained hives. My friend is currently looking into the whole Celiac/Gluten Sensitivity thing as herself and many members of her family fit the bill in one way or another. Her daughter is almost 4 and is in remission from Leukemia. At first they thought the "rash" was Graft Vs. Host Disease (GVH). Anyway, she went to derm and was told they didn't need to biopsy as it was just hives. Can a dermatologist not get it right and think it's hives when it's DH? Has this happened to anyone here? Would they be able to look and tell without a doubt? I'm just concerned they're missing something. Thanks!

Megan

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

In my experience the two are VERY different looking.

richard

missy'smom Collaborator
missy'smom
Posted

It seems that the first thing they should do is have the child tested for allergies.

Yup Apprentice
Yup
Posted

It seems that the first thing they should do is have the child tested for allergies.

If she were my daughter I would have her tested for Hashimotos Thyroidism.

Mac55 Apprentice
Mac55
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for your replies. As I don't have DH I really don't know much about it. So it doesn't resemble hives?

I'm hoping they do get her tested for allergies. I know she has something up, just like I knew with my son. He definitely has a few allergies/sensitivities.

Miila's Mom, why would do suspect Thyroid? Does Hashimotos come with a rash or hives?

This friend is actually my best friend in the world. She's gone through so much with her daughter's Leukemia and her mom has cancer that keeps coming back. She also REALLY doesn't feel good and is stressed and moderately depressed. I try to do some leg-work for her when I can, as I know it just overwhelms her sometimes. I love researching and getting to the bottom of things. Thanks for the input!

kprince Apprentice
kprince
Posted

I actually was just going to ask the same question if DH can look like hives? After I work out in the morning and/or if I do not get eough fluids, I tend to break out in rashed anywhere I put pressure ( so if I am sitting, it will be on teh back of my thighs etc.) It is VERY itchy and when I scratch them, they tend to turn into welts...but never blisters and they go away on their own after about 1 hour. I have been gluten-free for 1 year. Do I have DH?

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I actually was just going to ask the same question if DH can look like hives? After I work out in the morning and/or if I do not get eough fluids, I tend to break out in rashed anywhere I put pressure ( so if I am sitting, it will be on teh back of my thighs etc.) It is VERY itchy and when I scratch them, they tend to turn into welts...but never blisters and they go away on their own after about 1 hour. I have been gluten-free for 1 year. Do I have DH?

This sounds like pressure urticaria or hives caused by pressure. Many who have this will also show signs of dermatographia, where if you lightly run a fingernail across your skin it will leave a red mark for quite a while. You might want to consult an allergist. Some will advise an antihistimine. Tell your doctor and ask them about it next time you see them.

DH usually presents as tiny fluid filled blisters that itch horribly and the scars they leave are a distinctive purpleish color and remain for a very long time. They are caused directly by consuming gluten for some of us even in very small amounts.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


kprince Apprentice
kprince
Posted

This sounds like pressure urticaria or hives caused by pressure. Many who have this will also show signs of dermatographia, where if you lightly run a fingernail across your skin it will leave a red mark for quite a while. You might want to consult an allergist. Some will advise an antihistimine. Tell your doctor and ask them about it next time you see them.

DH usually presents as tiny fluid filled blisters that itch horribly and the scars they leave are a distinctive purpleish color and remain for a very long time. They are caused directly by consuming gluten for some of us even in very small amounts.

HOLY COW!!! So I just did some research and I want to pull out some quotes that literally STOPPED me in my tracks

The cause of chronic urticaria is often hard to pinpoint. Although the cause is currently unknown, it is thought to be related to a person's own immune system triggering the reaction.

"Some types of chronic urticaria worsen with increased blood flow as a result of heat, exertion, emotional stress, alcoholic drinks, fever or hyperthyroidism." My rashes almost always apprear after working out.

"Some people get pressure urticaria on certain parts of the body as a result of the work they do." I do the recumbant bike for 45 minutes at the end of my workout and this is where the hives are (around my bottom)

"People with cholinergic urticaria get hives with heat, exercise or emotional stress. Small welts appear within a larger area of redness, often on the neck or upper chest." I almost never get it on my chest, but everything else was true.

I actually made an appointment with an allergist for next Thursday. Is tehre any sort of test I should have them do or any questions I should ask. I used to get so mad with my pediatrition when I would bring my son in with a cronic running nose and they were like,"Oh, it must be allergies." I always thought that was what they say when they do not know.

From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!!!! for hopefully stearing me in the right direction-

Kathy

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

HOLY COW!!! So I just did some research and I want to pull out some quotes that literally STOPPED me in my tracks

The cause of chronic urticaria is often hard to pinpoint. Although the cause is currently unknown, it is thought to be related to a person's own immune system triggering the reaction.

"Some types of chronic urticaria worsen with increased blood flow as a result of heat, exertion, emotional stress, alcoholic drinks, fever or hyperthyroidism." My rashes almost always apprear after working out.

"Some people get pressure urticaria on certain parts of the body as a result of the work they do." I do the recumbant bike for 45 minutes at the end of my workout and this is where the hives are (around my bottom)

"People with cholinergic urticaria get hives with heat, exercise or emotional stress. Small welts appear within a larger area of redness, often on the neck or upper chest." I almost never get it on my chest, but everything else was true.

I actually made an appointment with an allergist for next Thursday. Is tehre any sort of test I should have them do or any questions I should ask. I used to get so mad with my pediatrition when I would bring my son in with a cronic running nose and they were like,"Oh, it must be allergies." I always thought that was what they say when they do not know.

From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU!!!! for hopefully stearing me in the right direction-

Kathy

I should have mentioned that prediagnosis I had this form of hives along with DH. I don't know which drove me nuts more. Both have gone away gluten free. So although they are different they could be coming from the same root cause.

Hopeful1950 Apprentice
Hopeful1950
Posted

I'd like to respond to the question about whether a dermatologist can "not get it right". You bet. In my experience of what appears to be a DH rash I have been told it was "stress eczema", that I was a "picker", and most recently I have given a medicine for bi-polar disorder! I consulted a psychiatrist at that point and he sent me to an allergist who is really looking at everything. The first doctor to do so in 6 years.

Encourage your friend's mom to get to a physician (maybe an experienced allergist) who will not give up until they have actually tested for the all the things that could be causing the child the problem. The allergist I am working ran tests for celiac, thyroid, allergies and a host of other things that might not be related to allergies at all so he can steer me in the right direction if he is unable to help. Skin testing is next.

Oh...and just a note, I work for 22 physicians and trust me their skill and patient care varies widely. Search and search until you find one who will take the time.

Ahorsesoul Enthusiast
Ahorsesoul
Posted

All my life I've had unexplained hives. Haven't had any since going gluten free.

kprince Apprentice
kprince
Posted

I'd like to respond to the question about whether a dermatologist can "not get it right". You bet. In my experience of what appears to be a DH rash I have been told it was "stress eczema", that I was a "picker", and most recently I have given a medicine for bi-polar disorder! I consulted a psychiatrist at that point and he sent me to an allergist who is really looking at everything. The first doctor to do so in 6 years.

Encourage your friend's mom to get to a physician (maybe an experienced allergist) who will not give up until they have actually tested for the all the things that could be causing the child the problem. The allergist I am working ran tests for celiac, thyroid, allergies and a host of other things that might not be related to allergies at all so he can steer me in the right direction if he is unable to help. Skin testing is next.

Oh...and just a note, I work for 22 physicians and trust me their skill and patient care varies widely. Search and search until you find one who will take the time.

This is so strange...I too have always ;labled myself a "picker" and recently I was told that I might be suffering from bi-polar II. They want to put me on an anti-seizure medication...do you mind letting me know the medication you are on?

  • 3 years later...
GretaJane Newbie
GretaJane
Posted

Yes, rarely, DH can present as chronic hives!!! Open Original Shared Link

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Yes, rarely, DH can present as chronic hives!!! Open Original Shared Link

Just an FYI, you are responding to a post from almost 4 years ago. I'm sure we have had a more recent discussion about DH and how it presents?

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      126,233
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Josie98
    Newest Member
    Josie98
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.9k
    • Total Posts
      69.3k
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Possible (Non)-celiac gluten sensitivity(?)

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @green-blossom! You can develop active celiac disease at any stage of life. It involves possessing the genetic potential plus some triggering stress event that turns the relevant genes on. NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) is 10x more common than celiac disease but some experts feel it can be a precursor to the development of celiac disease. There is no test at this point in time available to diagnose NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out to arrive at a diagnosis of NCGS. The difference between the two conditions is that celiac disease damages the lining of the small bowel but NCGS does not. They share many of the same symptoms. Without formal testing, there is no real way to definitively diagnose celiac disease. About 40% of the general population possess the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% actually develop active celiac disease. So, DNA testing can only be used as a rule out measure, not as a diagnostic measure. Formal testing for celiac disease is normally a two step process. The first step is serum antibody testing. The inflammation of the small bowel lining caused by gluten ingestion in those with celiac disease produces characteristic antibodies that can be detected in the blood. If one or more celiac antibody tests are positive, there is usually a second step of diagnosis involving and endoscopy with biopsy of the small bowel lining to microscopically check for damage to the mucosal lining. This is done for confirmation of the antibody testing but it sometimes foregone if antibody test scores are extremely high. Please hear this. If you intend to pursue formal testing for celiac disease, you must be consuming generous amounts of gluten leading up to the testing dates. That applies both to the serum antibody testing and to the endoscopy/biopsy. If you eliminate gluten from your diet ahead of testing for even a period of weeks, the inflammation will cease, antibodies will begin to disappear and healing of the small bowel lining will begin. In other words, the things the diagnostic testing is designed to look for will disappear. 
    • green-blossom
      Possible (Non)-celiac gluten sensitivity(?)

      By green-blossom · Posted

      Hi everyone, I am new here, and have some questions. I recently discovered that ~15 minutes after eating durum wheat semolina pasta, I get a strange feeling in my stomach area. I have been struggling with stomach aches, bloating and difficulty with bowel movements etc for about 10 years now (im in my mid twenties.) I have tried a lot to fix this, apart from adjusting my diet. Unfortunately I can't cook and mostly eat pasta, pizza, burgers and so on. I tried a lot of other things to fix it, like working out, yoga, meditation and so on. It helps a bit, although I never really felt relaxed in my stomach area, which caused a lot of problems in everyday life. I tried going gluten free for one day. Everything I normally eat, but gluten-free. And I felt much better all day and had no problems with stomach aches or bloating. Now my question is: Could this be a case of celiac disease in my case? (I only 'suffer' from digestive symptoms) ... and is it possible to develop this during 'puberty' or at other stages of life in general? No one in my family has coeliac condition. I didn't have the problem until I was 15. When I was 20, a lot of bad things happened and I was very unhappy and also had IBS symptoms due to extreme stress. Should I see a doctor and is it safe to switch to a gluten-free diet for now?  Thank you. 
    • Scott Adams
      Celiac Maybe a Possibility?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      The only issue with that approach, is that some restaurants may not want to serve you--if you say you get violently ill, or have a deadly allergy, etc.--remember, at least here in California, businesses can decline to serve you.
    • trents
      Gluten free vitamins

      By trents · Posted

      @llisa, have you also been diagnosed with celiac disease? You don't actually say but we have assumed that.
    • llisa
      Gluten free vitamins

      By llisa · Posted

      I had bariatric surgery in 2018. My doctor put me on multiple vitamins, D3, and calcium (in the form of 2 Tums daily). My endocrinologist monitors my levels of these things, as well as my diabetes and Hashimoto's.
×
×
  • Create New...