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Dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin condition caused by IgA antibodies in the skin layers, commonly seen in people with gluten sensitivity. Treatments are available to manage outbreaks and prevent them in the future. The condition is not associated with herpes and can cause ulcers and infections. Medications and eliminating gluten from the diet can help prevent outbreaks.
Dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin irritation caused by deposits of IgA antibodies in the layers of the skin, causing an immune system reaction and skin inflammation. This skin condition is particularly seen in people with gluten sensitivity, such as patients with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. It can be extremely painful as well as irritating. Treatments are available to manage outbreaks and prevent them from happening in the future.
The term “dermatitis herpetiformis” can lead patients to believe that this condition is associated with herpes, a skin outbreak caused by a virus. This is actually not the case; the name is a reference to the fact that it superficially resembles herpes outbreaks. Dermatitis herpetiformis takes the form of a series of small, fluid-filled blisters surrounded by red, rough, irritated skin. It is also known as dermatitis herpetiformis or Duhring’s disease.
For patients, the appearance of the lesions is usually preceded by a sensation of intense heat and pain for several days. Once the skin breaks out, it is extremely itchy. Patients with dermatitis herpetiformis can create large ulcers in their skin by scratching, and infections can develop as bacteria and other organisms exploit openings in the skin. The outbreak can occur anywhere, though arms and legs are commonplace, and can last for days or weeks, depending on how it’s managed.
Medications may be prescribed to address the outbreak, including topical applications to reduce the itchy sensation. Patients may also be advised to wear light clothing to cover the blisters and consider wearing gloves at night so they can’t accidentally scratch themselves. The similarity between dermatitis herpetiformis and herpes may lead doctors to advise their patients to warn people that it is an immune system reaction and is not contagious, posing no risk to people who come into contact with the patient.
For long-term prevention of dermatitis herpetiformis outbreaks, it is necessary to completely eliminate gluten from the diet. As your gut recovers from the inflammation caused by gluten sensitivity, problems like skin breakouts should clear up. If the patient eats gluten again, an exacerbation may occur. Patients with gluten sensitivity need to pay special attention to hidden gluten in fillers used to make food less expensive, as well as gluten in surprising places, such as candy and drugs, where grains might not normally be expected.
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