What is Dermatitis Herpetiformis?
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Oct 23 2008

What is Dermatitis Herpetiformis?

Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH), also commonly refered to as Celiac Skin, is a rare skin disease which is commonly found in people with Celiac Disease.   Some quick research on the subject unveiled a few interesting things. 

Here is what I’ve learned so far about DH:

What are the Causes of Dermatitis Herpetiformis?

The rash is caused when gluten in the diet combines with IgA, and together they enter the blood stream and circulate. They eventually clog up the small blood vessels in the skin, which attracts white blood cells (neutrophils), and releases powerful chemicals called complements. This is how the rash is created.  Iodine is required for the reaction, so people with DH should avoid using Iodized salt if possible.

What are the Symptoms of Dermatitis Herpetiformis?

The symptoms of Dermatitis Herpetiformis are intense burning, stinging and itching around the elbows, knees, scalp, buttocks and back. More locations can also be affected and the severity can vary depending on the person.

What Does Dermatitis Herpetiformis Look Like?

DH looks like small clusters of red, itchy bumps. There are tiny water blisters, but these are quickly scratched off. Before they form, the area usually has a burning feeling. They scab and heal over within 1-2 weeks, but new spots continue to appear.  DH is a lifelong condition, but remission may occur in 10 to 20 percent of patients.

What are the Tests for Dermatitis Herpetiformis?

Diagnosis of DH usually requires at least one skin biopsy, and sometimes a blood test (looking for anti-gliadin, anti-reticulin and anti-endomysial antibodies).

How Do You Treat Dermatitis Herpetiformis?

Complete elimination of gluten will often cure DH, but improvement often takes months.  This means suffers must follow a strict gluten free diet.  Cutting down on wheat and gluten may reduce the amount of medication needed, but will not be curative.

In the meantime, there is a very effective treatment available to sufferers of DH.  Dapsone is a drug that will improve DH in only a few days. Because there can be side effects, the dose of Dapsone is usually started at a small amount, and then raised up over a few weeks until all symptoms are suppressed. Dapsone may have adverse effects, so weekly or bi-weekly blood tests will be needed for the first three months. There are a few alternative treatments if Dapsone cannot be used (sulfapyridine, tetracycline), however these do not work as well.

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Article Written by:

Kyle Eslick is the founder of Gluten Free Media, as well as the creator of the popular Celiac Support Groups page. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and now Google+!

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  • Angela

    I suspect I may have dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) as I have done extensive research and symptoms seem to indicate DH. However, I have been to 2 different docs, one being a dermatologist, none of which have suggested testing for DH. What other kind of specialist would be recommended to do appropriate tests? I am guessing a gastroenterologist since there is the G.I. component. The only G.I. symptoms I have are occasionally I notice some whitish mucus in stools and very foul smelling gas. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
    A

  • NIKI

    Hi Angela,

    I have had DH for 6 months, though not knowing what it was until today! I had blood tests, expensive visits to a useless Skin Specialist, allergists, my GP 1,000 times, biopsies coming back with vague answers, many (too many)creams, lotions & potions, bucket loads of anti-histamine,patch tests, prick tests. My Allergist found I had Ceoliac Disease through a blood test taken as “grasping at straws” diagnosis. The DH is because of Celiac . In 3 days my GP is starting me on Dapsone, as he needs to find out more about this drug :dosages, side effects etc.
    I suggest you have a simple blood test for Ceoliac Disease & take it from there. Good Luck!
    Niki

  • Leslie

    I was diagnosed 24 years ago with DH, and have been on Dapsone ever since. I have had DH for about 30 years, as it took awhile to diagnose it. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease a month ago. I have never had any problems with the Dapsone. It has been hugely important in keeping my DH comfortable to live with. The blisters are extremely painful, and the Dapsone keeps them at bay. I wanted to share that when I was pregnant with all 4 of my children, the DH went into complete remission, during the pregnancy, but the day after delivery it came back with a fury. I did not get diagnosed until 2 weeks after the birth of my last child, as I could not tolerate the pain of the lesions. My dermatologist did a biopsy and found out what it was. I started to suspect a few years ago, I would eventually get a Celiac diagnosis someday, and I did. I want to close in saying, for me, eating gluten free for the DH, never worked. I am experimenting with removing all skin products I use, that contain gluten. DH is a nasty, painful, chronic skin disorder, that I have lived with since I was 15. I would not wish it on anyone.
    Leslie

  • Pete

    I have just recently been diagnosed with DH as a result of Celiac Disease. I have been only living with the DH since last April and finally went to a dermatologist who performed the skin biopsy’s. He then recommended that I go to a GI as it may prove to be Celiacs -and it was. I have began the gluten-free lifestyle and the skin healing by taking Dapsone. I have heard some bad comments about Dapsone causing blood problems, but so far tests are negative. I am hoping that after a year or so on Dapsone and a gluten-free diet, I will be able to drop the Dapsone completely.

    Thank you, Pete

  • Hunter Stechman

    Pete, your correct in that you will be able to drop Dapsone completely after time. You should even be able to scale it back more and more as time goes on. I am Celiac positive, as well as having DH I was also vitamin D deficient. After over a year of misinformation on DH and Dapsone, I finally saw the light from doing research on the net. DH is only a symptom of Celiac.. All others that posted to this topic, if you have DH then you have Caliac.. You need to go 100% GF, absolutely no gluten in you diet, in you personal care products. I guarantee that the damage is still being done, Dapson is really only a mask to DH (Celiac). Celiac is NOT only a GI issue, in fact I had NO GI symptoms at all, mine was DH, followed by Severe Fatigue, and exhaustion, and what feels like Neuropathy (which I still get when exposed) and a feeling of my head in the clouds, very tired legs (Calves). On Biopsy, My Duodenum was at Marsh 3.

    Check out Celiac.com to use as another resource of info

    Also A MUST!! Pick up this book at Amazon: Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic, by Peter H.r. Green

    The varied symptoms of Celiac as outlined in this book will blow your mind.

  • mao

    hey, around last year i went to the emergency room because i had something that was growing on my thumb. i got scared and went to the ER, there the nurse told me that it was herpes, she checked every where in my body but didnt find anything. at that time i was sexually active so that made me curious as to why i might have herpes. they sent me to the dermatologist and he wasn’t sure if it was herpes because the blisters opened up and there was this yellowish liquid in it. the doctor gave me a topical cream and i have to use it every day because if i don’t use it the thumb starts feel a bit itchy and i see something forming there. what can you guys tell me about it because from what i know herpes leaves then comes back but this reappears of i dont apply the cream to the site every day.

    • Charlene

      Sounds like Moluscum Contagiosum.