Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a skin disorder often associated with celiac disease. (DH) is an intensely itchy skin eruption. Dermatitis herpetiformis usually begins in persons age 20 and older, although children may sometimes be affected. It is seen in both men and women. It usually shows up in young adults, and is more common in men and people originally from some areas of northern Europe. It has been hypothesized that DH is the result of an immunologic response to chronic stimulation of the gut mucosa by dietary gluten with subsequent activation of cutaneous endothelial cells and circulating inflammatory cells, including neutrophils.



Dermatitis herpetiformis has a typical onset in the late teens and early twenties, or in the third or fourth decades of life, although it can affect people of all ages. Males are affected twice as often as females, and it occurs more often in whites than in people of Asian or African descent.

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic eruption characterized by clusters of intensely pruritic vesicles, papules, and urticaria-like lesions. The cause is autoimmune. Diagnosis is by skin biopsy with direct immunofluorescence testing. Treatment is usually with dapsone or sulfapyridine.

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin rash that is linked to celiac disease. This eMedTV article explains how a gluten-free diet can be useful in treating dermatitis herpetiformis. Not everyone with celiac disease develops this condition.

Dermatitis herpetiformis is an extremely itchy rash made of bumps and blisters. The rash is chronic, which means it continues over a long period of time.

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic inflammatory disease that produces lesions that burn and itch intensely. Dermatitis herpetiformis is related to the presence of IgA deposits under the skin. Dermatitis herpetiformis usually shows up in young adults, and is more common in men and people originally from some areas of northern Europe. It is characterized by eruptions of clusters of small blisters or vesicles and small bumps or papules. The symptoms are intense burning, stinging and itching around the elbows, knees, scalp, buttocks and back.

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic, extremely itchy rash consisting ofbumps and blisters. Dermatitis herpetiformis is linked to sensitivity of the intestine to gluten in the diet (celiac sprue).

The cause of DH is mainly an allergic reaction (called hypersensitivity) to foods (wheat and other grains) containing a protein called gluten. People with DH are usually found to have abnormalities of the intestinal lining identical to that of celiac disease (also called gluten-sensitive enteropathy or celiac sprue), a serious intestinal disorder also due to gluten sensitivity. Unlike celiac disease however, gastrointestinal symptoms may be mild or absent in DH.

This leaflet has been written to help you understand more about dermatitis herpetiformis. It tells you what it is, what causes it, what can be done about it, and where you can find out more about it.

Specific treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis depends upon its location and severity, the impact it has on the quality of your life, and your response to therapy. Treatment lessens the severity of your condition and prevents complications, but it does not cure dermatitis herpetiformis. Treatment includes the avoidance of precipitating factors, general measures, and medications.