Q: I have dermatitis herpetiformis. I have an itch that goes all over my body and is worst around the middle. I think I got this two years ago from putting tin on an old grain bin when it was hot. I saw a doctor who gave me Dapsone. If I take two a day, one in the morning and one in the evening, this stops the itch and rash. If I quit taking them, it starts up again. Is there any way of getting rid of it completely?
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A: Dermatitis herpetiformis can either start in the teens or occurs in one’s 30s or 40s. Twice as many men get it as women, although it is rare and only happens to one in
10,000 people.
DH causes an itchy rash with the formation of tiny blisters and small red bumps. These occur in clusters. When they are scratched, crusts will develop that eventually heal over, leaving some discoloration of the skin. This process takes from seven to 10 days. The rash is usually symmetrically distributed on the elbows, knees, buttocks, neck, scalp and shoulder areas.
Unfortunately, once you have it, it generally persists for life, although the severity varies. In occasional cases, the disease can go into remission for quite long periods of time.
I doubt if there was any connection between the onset of the symptoms and your being on a hot tin roof. The heat might have had some temporary effect on your immune system, and DH patients have been found to have some abnormalities in their blood antibodies.
Dermatitis herpetiformis is associated with celiac disease, which is gluten sensitivity. If you stick to a gluten-free diet, which means no wheat or wheat products, you could get a major improvement in your condition. You would need less of the medication Dapsone, but may not be able to eliminate it entirely. You may have to be on the diet for a year or longer before you notice much improvement.
