Is this DH? Blemish-type spots on face.

voix · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 151 Location: Colorado

I was wondering if this was DH. About a month ago I had a blemish by my nose that took forever to heal. At the time I didn't really pay attention to it, because I thought it was acne, but then it didn't go away/heal normally. Then I had one on the other side of the face but above the eyebrow. Again, didn't pay attention to its characteristics, but it took forever for the skin to be normal again.

Then a while later I got a blister/acne spot on one toe. This one I did pay attention to, and it wasn't like a blister that one gets on one's foot, it was like cold sore type blemish. It was red and I suspect that it will leave a scar. Maybe it could have been an insect bite that I didn't notice (doubtful, but systematically possible).

These spots are so minuscule compared to what others have experienced and photos that I have seen, and they are not symmetrical. Is this how DH starts out?

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4289 Location: Nebraska

Do some of these pictures look like what you have?
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voix · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 151 Location: Colorado

Okay, took me a while to figure out to click on "these pictures." lol

Thanks for the response.

I am not sure. I definitely don't have the rashes or the big red circles. The picture of the blister wasn't quite the same, either. Mine seemed to have a red bump, like an extra large pimple or bug bite, but the center was a blister or white head. I know for sure that they were not normal pimples. They took three times as long to heal, first of all. I also strongly doubt that they were bug bites, especially as I have never seen any spiders or other crawly bugs in this house. Another mystery.

Since going GF this past week, I have not had any more outbreaks. I realized that I had four total (3 on face; 1 on toe). Again, nothing like others mention, but just wanted to pay attention to my body. I guess I may not know until I eat gluten again by accident and have another outbreak.

celiacmaine-iac · Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 836 Location: Maine

Not sure if what you are describing sounds like DH. Must be why they say a picture is worth a thousand words.... Wink

I will say that an article I read recently said that usually the hands and feet are spared with DH, and I must say, I've never had a lesion on my hands or feet, yet my patterning for DH is absolutely "textbook". I have had small water blisters on the sides of my hands that my dermatologist told me are a type of excema. I also have psoriasis now. Apparently DH increases your odds of getting excema and psoriasis. Seems like misery loves company! Laughing

With DH the blister is always clear fluid like a water blister, no pus, or anything that looks like a classic acne lesion. DH is also intensely itchy, and then burns badly after you've scratched it. I've had the burning last for an hour or more.
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voix · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 151 Location: Colorado

Well, the blisters are different, but I did experience burning and itching. I have not had another one since avoiding gluten, so I guess the point is moot at the moment.

Thanks for the information.

voix · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 151 Location: Colorado

Hi, just thought I would post an update for posterity. . .

As would be expected, I have had the odd run in with gluten these past few weeks despite best efforts, and when I have ingested it, the next day or so I end up with a blemish or two on my face.

Like I said above, they are like acne blemishes but a bit different, more strident, and do take longer to heal, almost like a pox would be, without the indented scar when it is healed.

The blemishes are a bit more tame since making such efforts to avoid gluten these past weeks, but it does seem to be a telltale sign of ingestion.

voix · Joined: 10 Apr 2008 Posts: 151 Location: Colorado

I realize now that the spots are gluten related. Once in a while I cheat or have gluten unintentionally. It results especially in that spot on my forehead. It only just finally went away without coming back.

Just posted this as a reference to other newbies trying to figure out their symptoms.

jeant · Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 86

For several years, I have had a problem with redness, spots, and blemishes on my face, especially my cheeks. My doctor told me it was rosacea and gave me some medicated cream that didn't help.

After being gluten free for a while, I noticed that my face was clear for the first time in years. Now the only time I have blemishes is after I might have eaten gluten unintentionally, like after a restaurant meal.

Whatever my skin condition was, I have no doubt that it was somehow connected to gluten.