Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a severe itchy, blistering skin disease caused by gluten intolerance. DH is related to celiac disease because both are autoimmune disorders caused by gluten intolerance, but they are separate diseases. The rash usually occurs on the elbows, knees, and buttocks.

Although people with DH do not usually have digestive symptoms, they often have the same intestinal damage as people with celiac disease.

DH is diagnosed by a skin biopsy, which involves removing a tiny piece of skin near the rash and testing it for the IgA antibody. DH is treated with a gluten-free diet and medication to control the rash, such as dapsone or sulfapyridine. Drug treatment may last several years.

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/index.htm

Points to Remember About Celiac Disease

• People with celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, barley, and possibly oats.
  
  
• Celiac disease damages the small intestine and interferes with nutrient absorption.
  
  
• Treatment is important because people with celiac disease could develop complications like cancer, osteoporosis, anemia, and seizures.
  
  
• A person with celiac disease may or may not have symptoms.
  
  
• Diagnosis involves blood tests and biopsy.
  
  
• Because celiac disease is hereditary, family members of a person with celiac disease may need to be tested.
  
  
• Celiac disease is treated by eliminating all gluten from the diet. The gluten-free diet is a lifetime requirement.

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/index.htm

For More Information About Celiac Disease

American Celiac Society -- Dietary Support Coalition
P.O. Box 23455
New Orleans, LA 70183
Phone: (504) 737-3293
Fax: (504) 737-4283
Email: amerceliacsoc@netscape.net

American Dietetic Association
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 1-800-366-1655 or 1-800-877-1600
Email: hotline@eatright.org
Internet: www.eatright.org

Celiac Disease Foundation
13251 Ventura Boulevard, #1
Studio City, CA 91604
Phone: (818) 990-2354
Fax: (818) 990-2379
Email: cdf@celiac.org
Internet: www.celiac.org

Celiac Sprue Association/USA Inc.
P.O. Box 31700
Omaha, NE 68131-0700
Phone: 1-877-CSA-4CSA or (402) 558-0600
Fax: (402) 558-1347
Internet: www.csaceliacs.org

Gluten Intolerance Group of North America
15110 10th Avenue, SW., Suite A
Seattle, WA 98166
Phone: (206) 246-6652
Fax: (206) 246-6531
Email: info@gluten.net
Internet: www.gluten.net

Gluten-Free Living (a bimonthly newsletter)
P.O. Box 105
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
Phone: (914) 969-2018
Email: gfliving@aol.com

source: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/index.htm