Dermatitis Herpetiformis while eating Gluten Free?

[robgt]

I am trying to do a little research on a rash which appears to have the hallmarks and symptoms of Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH), including symmetrical patches appearing (such as on the left and right arms in the same place), itchyness, etc.

Is it possible to develop DH many years after a Coeliac disease diagnosis and going completely gluten free?

I am not getting glutened, and haven't for a very long time.

I didn't have any sign of this rash years ago when I was diagnosed with coeliac disease, and have not in the years since either? Only in the last few months has this begun to appear, and seems to be slowly getting worse.

When it first appeared, it was two symmetrical patches approx 10p sized, one on each shoulder at the top front of each arm. The doctor prescribed a steroid based cream to apply to it, and 2 tubes later, nothing had changed! That was a few months ago, and now those patches are not much bigger, if at all, but they are dry and itchy, and a rash seems to be spreading across the tops of my shoulders and the top of my chest and back as well!

Not much info to go on, I am sure, but does anyone have any thoughts on this being a possibility before I ring the doctors?

Cheers!

[Jazzw]

Maybe this post will help?

healthunlocked.com/glutenfr...

[robgt in reply to Jazzw]

That was helpful, yes, thank you

[chrissy30]

I suffer from DH, had it for years due to Coeliac and I find that it can easily flare due to stress and also to hidden gluten, even a minute amount or due to cross contamination in shop bought products that seem to be gluten free or even marked gluten free. Also one can become quite sensitive to food that contain spices I find. I get flare ups and at the moment I'm going through a stage seemingly for no reason. I find the more I worry about it the worse it can get. DH is part of the immune disorder that we suffer from with Coeliac disease. My sister has Coeliac disease and she is 81 but no DH. I was told when diagnosed due to DH being the obvious symptom many years ago that I probably had Coeliac all my life. I had always had problems with my stomach and initially it was diagnosed as 'nervous tummy' and stress. When I first experienced the terrible itchy rash on my knees and elbows and buttocks and in private parts and even had patches on my face it was diagnosed as Psoriasis but after some years of torture and horrible coal tar creams my old doctor left to be a vicar (!) and my new doctor sent me to the dermatology clinic to have the 'psoriasis' looked at - my old doctor hadn't bothered as he was convinced I was neurotic - and the doctor I saw immediately guessed the problem and after blood tests etc he told me I had Coeliac which was confirmed by my Gastro doctor. I'm now 70 and the DH started in my 40's just suddenly. I was also very thin at the time even though I ate normally. I also suffered from terrible migraines which thankfully are now under control with sumatriptan. I attended the local pain clinic and that helped with relaxation exercises but regardless of trying to reduce any stress DH still rears it's ugly head. Winter time I find most trying at times and if I get cold. All one can do is just watch one's diet and check food out and try to relax and keep warm - but not too warm. Unfortunately with us Coeliacs that have DH there is no permanent cure and we could be really sensitive to things in our environment that we have no control over. I hope my writing this missive my help you. I find a good moisturiser can help on the DH as often people with DH do suffer with dry skin.

[CATRYNA49]

Eating foods high in iodine or taking iodine supplements can cause an increase in DH discomfort. So, be mindful of that. In my case, I have had DH for almost 50 years, but was only diagnosed with Celiac and Hashimotos 10 years ago. Also, your topicals can be a problem as well. Hopefully this will be helpful.

The following brands of hair care products offer gluten-free shampoo and conditioner:

•Acure. Acure's entire hair care line is gluten-free, including five shampoos and even a dry shampoo (plus the accompanying conditioners). Acure is also sulfate-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free and vegan. If you can't find it locally, it's available online at Amazon.

•Avalon Organics. This all-natural line of hair care products offers one shampoo that's certified gluten-free: its Gluten-Free Cucumber Shampoo. Avalon Organics also offers Gluten-Free Cucumber Conditioner to pair with the shampoo. The hair care line is vegan and cruelty-free. It's readily available online if your stores don't carry it.

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•Desert Essence. The company makes six shampoos that are labeled gluten-free: Green Apple and Ginger, Fragrance-Free, Red Raspberry, Lemon Tea Tree, Italian Red Grape, and Coconut. It also makes conditioners to pair with each of those. The products are vegetarian, and Desert Essence doesn't test on animals.

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•Dove. Dove, which makes tons of personal care products, is a Unilever brand, which means it will clearly disclose any gluten-containing ingredients. Many of Dove's shampoos and conditioners are gluten-free. They're also reasonably priced and available everywhere.

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•Jason. Not everything Jason sells is gluten-free, but the brand's Gluten-Free Daily Shampoo and Gluten-Free Daily Conditioner meet the standard (as do the other seven products in the brand's certified gluten-free line). Look for the bright green labels — the gluten-free line is available on Amazon if your local store doesn't carry it. Jason's products aren't tested on animals.

•Kirkland Signature. This Costco brand includes a Professional Salon Formula Moisture Shampoo, and it's labeled gluten-free and vegan.

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•Paul Mitchell. Several of this brand's shampoo and conditioner products are considered gluten-free, including Forever Blonde shampoo (but not conditioner), Spring-Loaded Frizz-Fighting Shampoo and conditioner, and Baby Don't Cry Shampoo. To check a specific Paul Mitchell product, you need to visit the brand's website and look in the "details" section for that product. Paul Mitchell is also cruelty-free.

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•Pravana. All of Pravana's Nevo hair care products are labeled gluten-free (the line uses hydrolyzed quinoa and soy protein). They're also vegan. Look for Pravana at hair care salons (including Ulta stores).

•Suave. Like Dove, Suave is a Unilever brand, so any gluten-containing ingredients would be disclosed in the ingredients list ... but most or all are gluten-free. Suave is available everywhere and offers some kid-friendly shampoo/conditioner/body wash combinations.

Ingredients That Mean Gluten In Shampoo and Other Products

If you see one or more of the following terms in the ingredients list, it means the shampoo or other hair care product contains ingredients made from wheat, barley or rye. I've also included ingredients that indicate oats, since many of us need to avoid them, as well.

Avena sativa (oats)

Beta glucan (frequently derived from wheat)

Colloidal oatmeal

Dextrin palmitate (starch, possibly gluten-based)

Vitamin E (frequently derived from wheat)

Hordeum vulgare (barley)

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (may contain wheat)

Hydrolyzed wheat protein

Laurdimonium hydroxypropyl (hydrolyzed wheat protein)

Malt extract (usually barley)

Secale cereale (rye)

Stearyl dimonium hydroxypropyl (hydrolyzed wheat protein)

Triticum vulgare (wheat)

Vegetable protein (may contain wheat, barley, rye and/or oats)

Wheat germ oil

Now, the absence of any of these ingredient names doesn't necessarily mean the product is gluten-free — there are numerous other chemicals (some with very difficult-to-pronounce names) that can be derived from wheat, barley, rye or oats. Gluten-based ingredients also can hide behind catch-all ingredient names such as "fragrance," and the components of these may be a closely-guarded trade secret.