How is dermatitis herpetiformis treated?
Treatment for dermatitis herpetiformis includes:
Dapsone will relieve your itching as soon as an hour, and typically before 48 hours. If dapsone doesn’t help, your healthcare provider may prescribe sulfapyridine or sulfasalazine.
You may need to continue taking dapsone for one to two years to prevent more dermatitis herpetiformis bumps and blisters from forming.
How does a gluten-free diet help treat dermatitis herpetiformis?
A gluten-free diet helps your dermatitis herpetiformis by:
- Reducing the need for medications to manage your skin condition.
- Reducing the risk of developing other autoimmune diseases.
- Reducing the risk of intestinal lymphoma.
- Improving any gluten-sensitive intestinal disease.
- Enhancing nutrition and bone density.
Gluten triggers your immune system to overwork, and it targets your skin. When you eat gluten, you’ll experience symptoms of dermatitis herpetiformis. When you avoid gluten, you won’t have symptoms.
Common foods to avoid that contain gluten include:
- Barley.
- Bread (rye and wheat).
- Cakes.
- Crackers.
- Cereals.
- Pasta.
Getting the full results of a gluten-free diet may take several months. See a nutritionist if you need help with your new diet.
Can I treat dermatitis herpetiformis at home?
There aren’t any at-home remedies that can relieve your dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms, aside from eating gluten-free. This isn’t like other types of dermatitis (like contact dermatitis) that improve with moisturizers, creams and other treatments. It isn’t recommended that you use at-home remedies like apple cider vinegar on your skin to treat dermatitis herpetiformis, as it could irritate your skin.
Are there side effects of the treatment?
A healthcare provider will monitor how well you feel while taking dapsone with regular blood tests. While rare, if the dermatitis herpetiformis flare-ups continue despite the gluten-free diet and medication, you might need to remove iodine from your diet as well. A healthcare provider will help you navigate changes to your diet to help you feel better.
How soon after treatment will I feel better?
When you begin treatment with medications, you may feel less itchy within an hour or up to 48 hours. It could take a few days to a few weeks for your skin to clear up completely. The bumps and blisters will sometimes go away spontaneously. They may leave behind brown or pale marks on your skin.
FAQs
Dermatitis herpetiformis is a symmetrical, bumpy skin rash. It can be a symptom of coeliac disease. A strict gluten-free diet usually reduces or get rid of the rash. Medicine can help improve your symptoms as the diet starts working.
What is the best treatment for dermatitis herpetiformis? ›
Usually used as a first-line therapy for the treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis, dapsone reduces itching and rash within one to three days. People may need to take this medication for years, but those who stick to a gluten-free diet may be able to get by with lower doses or even stop taking the medication entirely.
What triggers dermatitis herpetiformis? ›
DH is caused by a sensitivity or intolerance to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and grains. When you have DH and eat food with gluten, the gluten triggers an immune reaction. This causes material called IgA antibodies to be deposited in the skin.
What foods trigger dermatitis herpetiformis? ›
Dermatitis herpetiformis is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes itchy bumps and blisters on your skin as a result of a gluten sensitivity. Gluten is found in common foods such as wheat, rye and barley.
What can be mistaken for dermatitis herpetiformis? ›
Dermatitis herpetiformis is frequently misdiagnosed as eczema, another inflammatory skin disorder. Both skin conditions manifest as a highly itchy and bumpy rash that people often scratch raw.
What makes dermatitis herpetiformis worse? ›
In some cases, a diet high in iodine may worsen DH symptoms. If you are experiencing DH flare-ups, you should consult with a dermatologist expert in celiac disease to determine if foods or medicines high in iodine are the cause.
What is the first line treatment for dermatitis herpetiformis? ›
DH usually responds well to treatment. Dapsone and a gluten-free diet are the primary interventions for the management of this disease. The pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of DH will be discussed here. Celiac disease is reviewed separately.
What does herpetiformis dermatitis look like? ›
The lesions are red (erythematous) and may be slightly raised (papular), form small pus-filled areas (pustules), or there may be blisters (vesicles). The disease develops suddenly and may last from weeks to months.
What are celiac eyes? ›
Ocular conditions associated with celiac disease include: Dry eyes: Dry eyes develop when you cannot produce adequate tears to keep your eye moist. Dry eyes related to celiac disease may develop from a vitamin A deficiency. Cataracts: Cataracts may also develop due to malnutrition.
What is the difference between dermatitis herpetiformis and celiac disease? ›
Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a chronic, intensely itchy, blistering skin manifestation of gluten-sensitive enteropathy, commonly known as celiac disease. DH is a rash that affects about 10 percent of people with celiac disease.
Supplementing with selenium and vitamin E has been shown to correct an antioxidant deficiency common in DH. More. A deficiency in the selenium-containing antioxidant enzyme known as glutathione peroxidase has been reported in DH.
Can dermatitis herpetiformis spread? ›
It's possible to get dermatitis herpetiformis without celiac disease, but it's rare. This skin condition, also known as Duhring's disease, causes blisters and a rash that looks like herpes, but it's not caused by the virus that causes herpes. So, it's not contagious.
What does celiac skin rash look like? ›
Clusters of red, itchy bumps form and then scab over. It often first occurs in the teenage years and is more common among men than women. The rash usually clears with a gluten-free diet but can also be treated with medication.
What are the hidden symptoms of celiac disease? ›
However, celiac disease is much more than a digestive problem. Some of the top atypical symptoms are anemia, bones disease, elevated liver enzymes, neurological problems like migraines, short stature and reproductive problems.
How do I know if my rash is from gluten? ›
If a person has an allergy to wheat or other foods, one of the most common symptoms is hives or urticaria. These are red, raised, and itchy bumps, often with a pale center. Hives can also cause redness, which may be more subtle or not appear on darker skin tones.
What does gluten face look like? ›
A typical gluten face will present with red, puffy cheeks, with spots of hyperpigmentation around the chin. Some people will also have pimples spread out over the chin. Your face can also become bloated or swollen.
What cream is good for gluten rash? ›
For the rash, a doctor may prescribe dapsone. The rash typically responds well within 48–72 hours from the first application. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe the medication for about 1–2 years to prevent breakout rashes.
How long does a dermatitis herpetiformis flare up last? ›
It produces red, raised (papular), small or large blisters (vesicles or bullae) that burn and itch intensely. Dermatitis herpetiformis develops suddenly, lasts for weeks to months, and may be associated with digestive diseases such as celiac disease.
What is the second line treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis? ›
Aside from gluten-free diet and dapsone, second-line treatment options include sulfapyridine, sulfasalazine, and colchicine.
