Does anyone have dermatitis herptiformis (DH)

dgshelton · Post by **dgshelton** » Mon May 09, 2011 8:59 am

Does anyone have DH? I have had what I thought was acne for the last 20 years. I get these clusters of blisters on my forehead, jawline and on my scalp. Sometimes they will have pus in them, but most of the time it's just clear liquid. The ones I get in my hairline and on my scalp itch like crazy. Acne medications do not clear them up. I wonder if this is DH? From what I've researched, DH does not commonly show up on the face. Of course, research has also said MC is rare...and we all know that's not the case.

Post by **tex** » Mon May 09, 2011 9:09 am

Hi Denise,

I've had various other skin issues when my symptoms were active, but not DH, (thank goodness). What you describe does sound like DH, however. Remember that most people who have DH also have to avoid skin contact with gluten.

Tex

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Mon May 09, 2011 10:03 am

It sure does sound like DH. Maybe you are reacting to gluten in your shampoos, conditioners and face creams? Have you checked the ingredients in them for sources of gluten? Wheat protein, wheat germ oil, even vitamin E?

dgshelton · Post by **dgshelton** » Mon May 09, 2011 10:11 am

I haven't checked my shampoo, conditioner or creams. I guess I should probably check my make-up too. Now that I think about it. My scalp will break out anytime I use gels, mousse nor anything like that...i always thought that those products made my scalp oily, but I bet they contain gluten.

Thanks for the info, Zizzle and Tex!

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon May 09, 2011 8:22 pm

Hi Denise,

Last summer I got itchy pimples all over my scalp. I'd never had anything like that before. It took a bit of detective work, but I finally figured out that they were due to my eating tapioca pudding. I had been testing it. Prior to that point in time, I had only eaten it as an ingredient in bread mixes, etc. Once I stopped eating tapioca, the bumps went away and I haven't had them since.

Gloria

klhale · Post by **klhale** » Sun May 15, 2011 6:16 pm

Witch hazel gives me itchy bumps any where it lands on my body.

patc73 · Post by **patc73** » Wed May 18, 2011 1:59 pm

I was just diagnosed today with Collagenous Colitis, and have been having that same problem on my face, hairline, and jawline, Denise. I was wondering the exact same thing...could it be dermatitis herpetiformis? I'm being referred to a gastroenterologist; I'll put that on my list of things to ask. Does it have to do with gluten sensitivity?

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Wed May 18, 2011 2:20 pm

Welcome Patc73!!
DH is the skin form of celiac disease. If a biopsy of the skin lesions show DH, you don't even need an endoscopy to prove you have celiac. How did you get a CC diagnosis without seeing a gastro first? Was it a simple screening colonoscopy or were you having symtoms?

klhale · Post by **klhale** » Wed May 18, 2011 4:29 pm

I get strange bumps on my left elbow, for a couple of years now. It itches just a little bit. I use alcohol on it or Tea tree oil and it clears up, and then it comes back again. I don't know what causes it. I think mine is folliculitis. My Gastro doc asked me if I had any rashes and I told him no, because it really is not a big deal. It only happens on my left elbow.

patc73 · Post by **patc73** » Wed May 18, 2011 5:31 pm

I had extreme D for four months before having the colonoscopy done; they took biopsies and I just got the results today. The doc that did the procedure is referring me to someone more familiar with collagenous colitis.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Wed May 18, 2011 6:25 pm

Patc,
Let us know if the GI you see is actually familiar with CC. There are few GIs out there that truly know how to deal with it. If he or she doesn't mention the role of diet and food intolerances, that's a good sign they are still operating from outdated information. I hope you get some relief soon. If you have to wait for an appointment with the GI, try the dietary mesures discussed here (Gluten and Dairy elimination) to see how you do. It may help you decide whether or not to accept prescription meds at your appointment.

annie oakley · Post by **annie oakley** » Wed May 18, 2011 7:23 pm

I was diagnosed with Mc in 2001**have always had simular issues and got steadily gotton worse**My MD is sending me to a skin doctor**Thinks it is pre-cancerous lesions now(from my days on a surfboard in sunny california. get a second opinion