All Topics  
Dermatitis herpetiformis

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Dermatitis herpetiformis
 
 
  Topics Dermatitis herpetiformis Topic Home

Dermatitis herpetiformis, or DH, is a skin
Skin

The skin is the outer covering of the body, also known as the epidermis. It is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial biological tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and organ s....
 disorder often associated with celiac disease. It is not caused by herpesvirus, but rather its name is derived from its having an appearance similar to the lesions found in herpes infections.

It has been associated with gluten sensitivity
Gluten sensitivity

Gluten sensitivity encompasses a collection of medical conditions in which gluten has an adverse effect. For individuals with gluten-sensitive enteropathy, removal of gluten generally results in the restoration of Intestinal villus or lower lymphocyte count in the intestine....
.








Discussion
Ask a question about 'Dermatitis herpetiformis'
Start a new discussion about 'Dermatitis herpetiformis'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Dermatitis herpetiformis, or DH, is a skin
Skin

The skin is the outer covering of the body, also known as the epidermis. It is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of epithelial biological tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and organ s....
 disorder often associated with celiac disease. It is not caused by herpesvirus, but rather its name is derived from its having an appearance similar to the lesions found in herpes infections.

It has been associated with gluten sensitivity
Gluten sensitivity

Gluten sensitivity encompasses a collection of medical conditions in which gluten has an adverse effect. For individuals with gluten-sensitive enteropathy, removal of gluten generally results in the restoration of Intestinal villus or lower lymphocyte count in the intestine....
.

Presentation and diagnosis

Dermatitis herpetiformis is characterized by an intensely itchy, chronic papulovesicular eruption that usually is distributed symmetrically on extensor surfaces.

It can often be distinguished from linear IgA
Immunoglobulin A

Immunoglobulin A is an antibody playing a critical role in mucosal immunity. More IgA is produced in mucosal linings than all other types of antibody combined; between 3 and 5g is secreted into the intestinal lumen each day.....
 bullous dermatosis by the pattern of IgA deposits.

Notable cases

It has been suggested that French revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat
Jean-Paul Marat

Jean-Paul Marat , was a Switzerland-born physician, political theorist and scientist better known as a radical journalist and politician from the French Revolution....
 suffered from DH, leading him to spend much of his time in, and even work from, a bathtub filled with an herbal mixture that he used to calm the sores.

External links

  • Pictures: