| Dermatitis Herpetiformis is a rare and chronic skin | | | | to gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains. |
| disorder characterized by extremely itchy and almost | | | | When gluten combines with IgA (an antibody |
| intolerable rashes made of bumps and blisters that | | | | produced by the intestines), the combination enters |
| normally occur on the elbows, knees, shoulders, back, | | | | the blood stream and begins circulating. This |
| and buttocks. It is believed to be related to coeliac | | | | combination then causes small blood vessels in the |
| disease, a disorder of the small intestine. Dermatitis | | | | skin to get clogged up, attracts while blood cells, and |
| Herpetiformis is also referred to as Durhing's disease. | | | | secretes chemicals which then cause rashes to form. |
| The predominant symptoms of Dermatitis | | | | |
| Herpetiformis include intense burning, stinging, and | | | | Treatment |
| itching sensations in affected areas. Diagnosis is | | | | The most effective means of treating Dermatitis |
| mainly through physical evidence and analysis of skin | | | | Herpetiformis is with a drug called Dapsone. Dapsone |
| biopsies. The ailment most commonly affects young | | | | can alleviate symptoms within days but it does have |
| adults, particularly males, aged 20 and higher. | | | | side effects like haemolytic anaemia, a blood disorder. |
| Estimates suggest that the disease currently affects | | | | Therefore, its usage should be monitored closely and |
| about 11.2 out of every 100,000 people in the United | | | | it should only be taken under the supervision of a |
| States and about 10 out of every 100,000 people | | | | qualified physician. For those intolerant or allergic to |
| internationally. The disease is more common in young | | | | Dapsone, topical and systemic steroids and |
| males of European descent (particularly from | | | | Sulfapyridine are also available options. A gluten free |
| Scandinavian countries) than those of other ethnic | | | | diet is also highly recommended and this reduces |
| backgrounds. | | | | dependence on Dapsone and the risk of developing |
| The exact cause of Dermatitis Herpetiformis is | | | | other conditions. |
| unknown but it is believed to be related to an allergy | | | | |