more blisters

rpf1007 · Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 159 Location: Chicago

I have been GF since mid Jan. It took a few weeks for all my blisters to go away. Since then a few have returned, but usually a couple of days after an accidental glutening. I haven't had any stomach problems since my last glutening which was about 3 weeks ago. In the week or so it seems like I get a new blister on the side of a finger every day. I haven't had any stomach reactions (and I think I'm pretty sensitive). I live alone, have a totally cleansed kitchen and changed out all my personal care products at the beginning. I have also taken to wiping down the computer at work, keyboard, mouse, phone etc after others have been on it. So, I'm not sure why these blisters are arising. They are really small...not really a big deal, but I don't want to be hurting my gut and not realizing it. Plus they are kind of itchy. I have read on here about Iodine being an issue, but I rarely use any salt and no longer use canned stuff...and not sure what else I should be avoiding in that area. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Rachel

jsb · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Florida

I get those, but not other DH lesions. My doc (GP) said it is called dyshidrotic eczema. This is what brought me to start considering gluten intolerance, because I looked up on the web and one of the possible causes was listed as food allergies or intolerance. They cleared up at first when I went GF. I would get a few when I was accidentally glutened. Now, though, I'm the same way - don't think I've been glutened lately, but still have those bumps forming. (When my skin was dry during the cold weather, they would crack and really hurt - ouch!) They also seemed to have spread out onto the back of my hand, which was not included in the description, but seems similar - first, tiny little itchy bumps, which burst when scratched, then the skin gets scaly and itchy. Sorry I don't have any specific help for you. I was thinking about investigating food allergies, maybe start with the specific carbohydrate diet and see what happens (just have to find a good time to do it, which seems to be never Wink

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Jen
GF since 10/07

celiacmaine-iac · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 668 Location: Maine

I too have DH. I have been GF for nearly 6 months, and am still fighting the rashes. They have improved a lot, but an accidental glutening can cause a flare in very little time with me.

I just looked up the DH section in Dr. Peter Green's book Celiac Disease a Hidden Epidemic. He says that the IgA build up in the skin that causes the DH can take 2 years to go away. You can have flare-ups at any point because of that. Another source I read said the deposits can remain under the skin for up to 10 years, but I'm not sure if you'd continue to get reactions for that whole time if you are truly GF. Another article I read (sorry, I can't remember where) said to expect the DH to continue for 6 months to 2 years after going GF. I have found that when I've been glutened that it takes 2 -3 weeks to get over the flare.

Some of the things that Dr. Green says can cause flares are iodine and NSAIDS. He also mentions that there is anecdotal evidence that certain lotions, creams, etc., and stress can cause the DH to flare, but that there is no scientific evidence to support that yet.

Iodine is in a lot of processed foods in the form of iodized salt. It is also present in some seafoods. If you decide to cut out the iodine, mention it to your doctor. They may want to monitor your thyroid levels.

NSAIDS are anti-inflamatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Dr. Green suggests sticking to acetaminophen for pain. If your doctor has told you to take aspirin for a medical condition you absolutely should not stop taking it without your docs knowledge and consent.

The lotions, shampoos and skin creams you use should be GF. Watch for things like wheat germ oil on the labels. Lipstick is a potential source of gluten. Be sure yours is GF. That would probably be the most likely source of gluten ingestion due to use of cosmetics, although I would recommend that you make sure all your cosmetics are GF. Check out your lip balm too if you use it.

Hope this helps.
Steph

rpf1007 · Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 159 Location: Chicago

Thanks for the advice! I'm glad to know that I'm not crazy. So it could go on for awhile. Ok, at least I know. They aren't anywhere near as bad now- they are super tiny, you can barely even tell they are blisters...so it doesn't bother me they way the big ones (pre diagnosis) did. But I also have been eating a bunch of shrimp with the ancient harvest pasta- so maybe I'm in Iodine overload. I wonder where the balance is though- you definitely need some iodine in your diet. I don't want to become thyroid deficient (it already runs in the family). I do use Aleve, but haven't in at least a month. All my lotions, shampoo, lipgloss etc etc is all fine.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear I'm not alone on the blister thing. I didn't imagine I could be getting gluten anywhere..and with no recent stomach pain...I didn't think that was a possibility.