Do I Have Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH)?

Are you a Caucasian man between 30 and 40?

Do you have a skin rash that consists of small red spots, tiny bumps that look like pimples, filled with clear fluid?

Do you have a severe itching and often stinging in the affected area of the skin?

Does your rash appear at the backs of your elbows, the fronts of your knees, your scalp, bottom or back?

Do you have a rash that usually occurs on both sides of your body, for example on both elbows?

Do you feel burning or itchy skin in the area prone to rash, before a full outbreak of the rash?

Do you have bumps that heal within a few days and leave a purple mark that lasts for weeks?

Do the new bumps continue to form as the old ones heal?

Do you have diarrhea?

Do you have constipation?

Do you have a stomach pain or cramping?

Do you have abdominal bloating and discomfort?

Have you lost weight unintentionally?

Do you have tooth enamel defects such as horizontal grooves, pits, or discoloration?

Do you have a family history of dermatitis herpetiformis or celiac disease?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have dermatitis herpetiformis. Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) or Duhring’s disease is an autoimmune disease that affects your skin. It is a chronic skin condition associated with a bowel disorder called celiac disease. People with dermatitis herpetiformis are gluten intolerant. Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, rye, barley, couscous and bulgur. It affects around 1 in 10,000 people; it can occur in all age and racial groups, but it is most common in men originally from certain areas of northern Europe. People with DH must follow a strict gluten-free diet for a lifetime.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have dermatitis herpetiformis. Dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin manifestation of celiac disease. It is also known as DH, Duhring’s disease or gluten rash. DH is an autoimmune response to gluten intake. Skin lesions of dermatitis herpetiformis are very similar to herpes lesions and that is why it was named "herpetiformis". Symptoms of DH can be similar to other, more common skin conditions such as eczema or scabies. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will order a skin biopsy, a procedure in which a sample of your skin is removed for testing. Treatment includes a life-long diet without gluten.

n Based on your answers there is a high possibility you have dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic skin condition caused by an abnormal reaction of your body to gluten intake. Without treatment, it can cause various complications such as vitamin deficiencies, anemia, and intestinal cancer. DH is a lifelong autoimmune disease and it can be well-controlled with treatment that includes a gluten-free diet and medications. With dietary changes, your symptoms may disappear, but every time you are exposed to gluten, a rash can reoccur. It can sometimes take up to two years for your skin to heal. Medications can alleviate your symptoms and help with recovery.