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Hi,

Thanks to all who responded to my post.  I got over 30 responses, both
from celiacs and non celiacs who have eczema and/or DH.

Here's what was shared with me:

- Eczema is a common term used to cover a lot of territory...there's as
many cures for it as there are variations...Yeast can contribute to DH,
get checked for yeast infections.

- Many folks have had eczema since they were infants/toddlers and none
has completely outgrown it, although it has certainly improved over the
years.  It can come and go over the years as well.

- Dairy is the number one cause for eczema.  Soy and corn can cause
flare ups too...these are indicatives of a further allergy/intolerance
above and beyond the celiac.

- Watch out for external/internal irritants, such as laundry detergents,
shampoos, soaps, dairy products, soy products, hidden gluten in foods,
citrus foods, roughage, spices,sugars, cologne, carpeting, curtains,
etc.

-Double rinse your laundry when using detergents.  Don't use fragrant
fabric softners.

- Topical solutions that have worked are: baking soda and water
solution, gluten free toothpaste applied as a balm (great for
travelling), "Udder Cream" for mild itches,
Australian tea tree oil lotion (quite a few recommended this product,
saying it works great!), aquaphor, cetaphil, Melaleuca (also known as
problem skin lotion... in Canada), synalar (prescription) mixed in
Nutraderm, Evening Primrose Oil (again, recommended by several other
folks), sunshine, emu oil, and DesOwen (made by Galderma)

-Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize, especially after baths.  Putting
moisturizers on dry skin is not as effective as putting it on damp skin.

-Some felt that eczema and celiac disease were related

-Some felt that there was no connection between celiac and eczema
although both are auto immune conditions

- Many felt that there was no predisposition for those who have eczema
to develop DH later in life

-Many said that eczema is related to asthma, hayfever, and allergies
which run in families and this is not a condition that is outgrown-

-Many said that hydrocortisone creams/lotions are poison...they do more
harm than good by not providing much relief and making the skin
thinner/thicker than they should be, thus creating further problems.

All of these responses were highly welcomed and exciting to read...a big
thanks to all who took the time to share their thoughts/experiences!

Hope this helps those out there who are seeking answers.

Robin Getz