Dermatitis and Gluten Intolerance

Gluten sensitivities that are not labeled as Celiac Disease come with all sorts of symptoms. While some are minor and may be over looked, others can be more serious. Symptoms associated with gluten sensitivity include a decrease in mental clarity, fatigue, weight gain, and bowl problems. Other symptoms that are often overlooked or considered to be something else are dry skin, chronic hair loss, and acne-like blisters. All of these are symptoms of Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH).

DH is typically mistaken for acne. It appears in red, puss filled spots similar to acne, in all areas of the body. Extreme cases will show red, scaly skin patches covered in these blisters. For most people it starts out as four to five blisters here and there on the neck, shoulders, back, and butt. These are the first sign of DH and typically take two or three weeks to disappear, but new ones are always forming. Many patients experience blisters for up to one year before the itching will begin.

Chronic itching is the second symptom of DH. This is literally an itch you cannot scratch. No amount of lotion or scratching seems to stop the itch. Patients often notice that their skin feels dry but does not actually look dry. Dermatologists strongly advise not using excess amounts of lotion as it can clog skin pores and further aggravate the situation. The second problem with scratching is that you may cut open the blisters causing them to bleed and take longer to heal. You may also notice rough, brownish-grey patches of skin in areas where there are no blisters, but there is some nearby.

Finally, the third symptom is chronic hair loss. This is defined as "cancer-like" hair loss. Patients that experience hair loss as a result of DH will find that their hair falls out in clumps of 15 to 20 strands when brushed or washed and that they are always "shedding" when their hair is not pulled back. At first it may not be noticeable, but over time, especially women with thin hair, will find that the amount of hair they are losing is astronomical.

DH can only be confirmed through a skin biopsy by a dermatologist. However, it may take months for an appointment with a dermatologist to be available. If you suspect that you have DH, a gluten free lifestyle will stop the symptoms. This includes using shampoo, conditioner, laundry soap, lotion and body soap that are all free of oat and wheat protein. Most patients that start on a gluten free diet (one free from all products contain wheat, oat, rye and barely) notice that DH symptoms cease within the first few weeks. A dermatologist will prescribe a daily pill that will begin to stop DH within three to five days.

Robert Mccormack has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Health and Fitness, Dermatitis and Gluten Intolerance, you can also check out his latest website about: Duns Number Lookup