Dermatitis Herpetiformis Symptoms

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a rare skin condition characterized by blisters and itchy rash on the skin. Scroll down to know more about dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms, causes and treatment...

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic skin disorder that causes blisters and a very itchy rash on the skin, particularly on the elbows, knees, back and scalp and rarely on the face. It is also known by the names dermatitis multiformis, Duhring's disease and gluten sensitive enteropathy. This condition generally occurs in people between 20 to 40 years of age, however, it can affect children and elderly as well. Dermatitis herpetiformis is usually linked to celiac disease or an intolerance to the protein known as gluten. It has also been reported to occur in people with autoimmune thyroid disorder, vitiligo, type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. In this article, we shall discuss the dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms, causes and ways to treat the condition.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis

As said earlier, dermatitis herpetiformis is mostly associated with a bowel disorder known as celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the inability to tolerate the wheat protein, gluten. The digestive lining of the people suffering from celiac disease, is sensitive to gluten and fails to produce adequate amounts of digestive enzymes. Dermatitis herpetiformis occurs as one of the first symptoms of celiac disease. It is distinguished from the other skin conditions by the extreme itching that accompanies the rash. The red itchy rash followed by bumps and blisters continues for a long period of time. Now, that you know what dermatitis herpetiformis, let us move on to dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms and treatment.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis Symptoms

Dermatitis herpetiformis causes a number of tiny blisters, discrete papules or bumps and smooth lesions on the skin. It can affect any part of the body but the blisters are usually distributed symmetrically on the elbows, knees, back and buttocks. The papulovesicular eruptions are extremely itchy and can cause a stinging or burning sensation too. Scratching further irritates the skin and can aggravate the condition. The lesions usually begin with discoloration of the skin in that area followed by intense itching and burning. Small bumps then erupt from the skin, which are known as papules. These lesions generally occur in groups like that of herpes. Hence, the name dermatitis herpetiformis, which means the skin inflammation is much similar to herpes. The blisters develop crusts and tend to lose their itching sensations after a certain period of time. The symptoms of dermatitis herpetiformis may range from mild to severe. They may sometimes be accompanied by the symptoms of celiac disease such as abdominal pain and unexplained tiredness. In fact, dermatitis herpetiformis may be the first sign of celiac disease in some people.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis Treatment

It is seen that medication and changes in the diet have a positive effect on dermatitis herpetiformis problems. Dapsone, an antibacterial drug, is effective in controlling the blisters rash. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action of Dapsone, stops the itching and treats the skin condition. Some other drugs that can be used to treat the condition include sulfapyridine, tetracycline, colchicine and nicotinamide, however, they may not be as effective as Dapsone. It is important to note that any kind of medication to treat dermatitis herpetiformis should be taken only after consulting a qualified health care professional.

The simplest way to reduce the severity of dermatitis herpetiformis is by following a strict gluten free diet. Gluten is present in food such as oats, wheat, rye and barley. It is also present in malts, hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, artificial colors and preservatives. These foods trigger the skin condition and hence people who are sensitive to gluten should strictly avoid them to prevent flare-ups.

This was all about dermatitis herpetiformis. Identifying dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms in the early stage can help in effective treatment of the condition. Although medication reduces the skin rash quickly, strict adherence to a gluten free diet controls the conditions as well as prevents its recurrence.