A chronic autoimmune skin disorder characterized by the development of pruritic papulovesicular and bullous lesions in the elbows, knees, buttocks, and back. It is associated with an increased expression of HLA-A1, HLA-B8, and HLA-DR3 antibodies.
Symptoms of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
The following features are indicative of Dermatitis Herpetiformis:
extremely itchy bumps or blisters
rashes
eczema
scratch marks
skin erosions
anemia
It is possible that Dermatitis Herpetiformis shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
The following are the most common causes of Dermatitis Herpetiformis:
autoimmune disorder
environmental factors
viral infection
severe emotional stress
Risk Factors for Dermatitis Herpetiformis
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Dermatitis Herpetiformis:
family member with celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis
type 1 diabetes
Down syndrome or Turner syndrome
autoimmune thyroid disease
microscopic colitis (lymphocytic or collagenous colitis)
Addison's disease
rheumatoid arthritis
Prevention of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
No, it is not possible to prevent Dermatitis Herpetiformis.
mutations in HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 genes
Occurrence of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Dermatitis Herpetiformis cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Dermatitis Herpetiformis can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Dermatitis Herpetiformis can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Dermatitis Herpetiformis:
Physical exam: To check body for a rash or malnutrition and to check abdomen for pain and fullness
Blood tests: To test for antibodies in the blood
Genetic tests: To check for particular gene changes
Intestinal biopsy: To make sure the presence of celiac disease in the body
Skin biopsy: To check skin tissue for antibodies
Doctor for Diagnosis of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Dermatitis Herpetiformis:
Dermatologist
Complications of Dermatitis Herpetiformis if untreated
Yes, Dermatitis Herpetiformis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Dermatitis Herpetiformis is left untreated:
malnutrition
loss of calcium and bone density
infertility and miscarriage
lactose intolerance
cancer
neurological problems
Self-care for Dermatitis Herpetiformis
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Dermatitis Herpetiformis:
Take gluten-free foods and drinks: Helps treat celiac disease
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Dermatitis Herpetiformis:
Gluten-free diet: To improve the cutaneous lesions in patients
Patient Support for Treatment of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
The following actions may help Dermatitis Herpetiformis patients:
Education: Helps dealing with the disease
Find a support group: Helps feel comfortable in sharing experience and struggles and meeting people who face similar challenges
Time for Treatment of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Dermatitis Herpetiformis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
More than 1 year
Last updated date
This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Dermatitis Herpetiformis.