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Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is an itchy, blistering skin condition connected to gluten intolerance. This autoimmune disease sees gluten-causing skin lesions, with the rash often appearing on areas like the elbows and knees. Diagnosing DH typically involves skin tests, and the condition often sees improvement with a gluten-free diet. The disease is most common in Caucasians between ages 15-50.
| Aspect/Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Nature | Chronic, autoimmune, blistering disease. Linked to gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE). |
| Primary Causes | Gluten hypersensitivity induces an inflammatory cascade, forming skin lesions. |
| Clinical Presentation | Itchy, vesico-bullous lesions primarily on elbows, knees, and buttocks. Symptoms can range from vesicles to intensely itchy papules. |
| Distribution | Lesions predominantly appear on the scalp, shoulders, buttocks, elbows, and knees. |
| Main Characteristics | IgA deposits found on the dermal papillae; mainly observed on extensor surface of limbs, buttocks, and the scapular area. |
| Lesion Features | Blisters often form on reddened skin, but they may erode due to scratching. Lesions can resemble various other skin conditions. |
| Itchiness & Skin Changes | Intense itching is common; postinflammatory skin changes include hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. |
| Resemblance to Other Conditions | Might mimic conditions like dermatitis, scabies, and papular urticaria. |
| Diagnosis | Gold-standard is immunofluorescence of perilesional skin. Serological tests aid when primary tests are inconclusive. |
| Treatment... |
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