? recommended consultants please

[JFJ131]

hi all, hope you dont mind but i am writing on behalf of my niece who is only 19 and has terrible rashes on legs, arms, elbows. Itchy and red raw, sometimes bleeding. GP has just given her steroid but she is so anxious and worried about it, as to cause and potential scarring. I am looking for her to see a specialist for clear answers. We live in the North East of England - and wonder if anyone could advise, or recommend a good consultant (aware we will need to pay privately of course).

Any tips/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[kenster1]

Best get referred too dermatologist ask the Doc to reffer her.

[JFJ131 in reply to kenster1]

thanks, but the GP is just saying use steroids and to be honest we dont feel reassured by the GP just looking at the skin and saying use steroids, but feel need a consultant to have a look and property diagnose and advise.

[xavier in reply to JFJ131]

You may have a food allergy. Have you gone down that avenue?

[Ell17]

I agree with Xavier. A food allergy could possibly be the culprit, specifically wheat gluten along with other foods regularly cross contaminated with it.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis is the miserable, itchy skin rash presentation of Celiac Disease. It's difficult to get a diagnosis because there is no profit in it (I'm in US). The treatment is not medicine based. Avoidance of wheat and wheat gluten is the treatment. I have had Celiac and Dermatitis Herpetiformis for the majority of my life. It really is a solo, trial and error journey. But, this is a good thing because you are in control. Start an elimination diet of all wheat and wheat gluten and keep a diary. There is info on the net about how to systematically go about it.

As with most things, healing is not linear and other culprits may be playing a part as well. I know I have to be very careful about chemicals and perfumes in personal care products. It is all very bioindividual, hence the trial and error. It is a very daunting and upsetting undertaking at times, but it is doable and worth it to be able to feel and look better in your own skin.

The take away is you don't need a diagnosis to see if food or chemicals in certain products are causing an issue. Having a diagnosis offers validation and it's certainly nice to have one. But, if Celiac is the issue, a lack of diagnosis won't hinder the treatment as there are no meds required.

All the best to your niece (and you for caring enough to post about her struggles in a hope to find solutions.)

[JFJ131 in reply to Ell17]

Thank you so much for your considered and lovely reply. Very good points you make and yes, we should try elimination diet. Best wishes to you.