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From the article you linked: "Currently, there are no recommended methods to test for non-celiac gluten sensitivity." "No recommended methods" is the key phrase here. Just on the anecdotal evidence of reading many posts on this forum, I think we sometimes see some elevated igg test scores with NCGS. They seem to be mildly elevated in these cases, not high high.

Thank you for your reply. I’m beginning to think of iodine as another culprit in this, as much as I fear it. I will say my rash is extreme and diffuse - it’s everywhere! I first had it on both sides of my neck in the summer of 2023. My PCP and dermatologist at the time, thought it was a reaction to jewelry I was wearing, even though I had been wearing the same necklaces for literally years with no reaction. The dermatologist at the time repeated over and over again that “allergies are acquired.” Which I knew. But I was not reacting to any other jewelry I was wearing. So it didn’t make any sense to me that it would only be from my necklaces. Anyway, it abated on it’s own. Only to come back with a vengeance months later - and I had not worn any necklaces at all. And the rash involved more area. I was put on Prednisone (oral steroid) taper and it worked well, and the itch and eventually the rash went away. Another trip to a different dermatologist at that time, prior to starting the Prednisone, told me to change all of my hygiene products like soap and shampoo, and to slather on Vaseline. None of which worked, hence the Prednisone. Needless to say, the itch and subsequent rash returned - and now spread everywhere, not just the hollows on both sides of my neck. It’s there, on my upper chest and left breast, both upper arms front and back, and elbows, my entire back, down both of my hips and buttocks and the front of my right thigh. Now the back of that right thigh is starting to itch as well. Also my lower right forearm and middle knuckle on my left hand since going gluten free. I’m just itching everywhere all the time. It keeps me awake, or wakes me up when I do fall asleep. I’m trying my best not to scratch, but it’s nearly impossible! I’ve been using a dry washcloth to rub instead of scratching. And I have used cool wet washcloths which help, but only lasts for a few minutes before starting up again. I’m pretty much at my wit’s end. Just waiting for something to indicate what’s really going on so I can do SOMETHING to stop it! 

Reply to Russ H, Thank you for your input. As a nurse for 46 years I was aware of much of this. However, as a new member to dermatitis herpetiformis, I have been reading and researching everything I can about it in order to educate and help myself. I was hoping that the oral Dapsone would help to alleviate the itching. I knew the rash would take longer to abate. Instead of relief from the Dapsone, I had adverse reactions so had to stop it. After 2 months on it, if hadn’t helped with the itching at all, and I understand it usually helps in the first few days if it’s going to. My itch and rash actually got worse on the Dapsone and with going gluten free - which lead me to question whether I was getting glutined from other products I am using. It’s like a huge puzzle trying to put all these pieces together to somehow make it fit and make sense. Right now, myself and my doctor are perplexed. 

I should add that I had a flare up I think was from cross contamination and during that time I ate gluten free chips and immediately had severe itching at the breakout site. I suspected it was the iodine in the salt from the chips that did it. It seems like iodine may impact a flare up but does not impact me if I’m otherwise not experiencing the rash.  Good luck. Wishing you the best. 

Reply to Jackie, Thank you. I have not been eating any oats at all, but I am aware of a possible correlation. And I already rarely eat out, and not recently. So, whatever this is, I’m doing it to myself, somehow. 🤷‍♀️