<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
I asked about the skin biopsy and got a lot of helpful information.
Thanks all!:
 
From: [log in to unmask] (Joe S. Warren)
> Let me suggest you contact Elaine Monarch at the Celiac Disease Foundation
> 13251 Ventura Blvd, #3, Studio City, CA, 91640, (818)-990-2354.  She can
> point you to many excellent resources in the LA area.  Use my name if you
> wish.  She is a good friend.
 
From: Don Wiss <[log in to unmask]>
> Here's something posted in the past. It is from the ActionLine newsletter. I
> picked it because of (4) below. Don.
>
> 4.  Iodine testing for DH is an old procedure used to create DH
> blisters.  By applying a 30 percent solution of iodine as a patch, a DH
> outbreak can be created.  This may be applicable in some patients when a
> biopsy is needed and no blisters are available.
>
> 5.  Immunofluorescence:  The indirect immunofluorescence test shows that
> the serum of a patient contains specific antibodies that bind to
> different areas of the epithelium.  The direct immunofluorescence tests
> by a skin biopsy shows a specific diagnosis pattern of DH.
> Traditionally this biopsy is obtained from the buttocks.  If no
> outbreaks are observed in this area, the biopsy is recommended for
> another area where the itching is observed.
> DH Drugs:  The common drugs used to initially control the blisters are:
> Dapsone, Sulfoxone, andSulfapyridine.  Each one has different
> advantages/disadvantages or availability in the treatment of DH.
> Dapsone changes the life span of red blood cells from an average of  120
> days to 30 days.  Dapsone is known for possible hematologic changes as a
> common side effect.
 
From: [log in to unmask]
> Get on a gluten free diet and your skin problems will go away. Mine
> have.
 
From: [log in to unmask]
> Martha, our group had a recent meeting with a dermatologist as speaker.  He
> was celiac knowledgeable and used skin biopsies for diagnosing.  But we are
> in Syracuse NY.  If you are local, send me another note.  Amy Eliezer
 
From: L Vogue <[log in to unmask]>
> I was diagnosed with dermatitis herpetiformis as quite a surprise.  I had
> never heard of gluten intolerance, celiac sprue, etc.  I had complained to
> my internist about the itchy bumps on my face during an annual exam for my
> asthma control.  Kind of as an afterthought he referred me to the clinic's
> dermatologist - the referral was for "adult acne"!   The dermatologist took
> one look at the itchy blisters ( I had them on my elbows too) and said he
> was going to do a biopsy.  It was a simple punch biopsy of an unbroken
> blister on an elbow.  The biopsies apparently don't work if taken on a
> disturbed blister.  The blister does not need to be large or even well
> pronounced.  The biopsy was sent to a lab at Oregon Health Sciences
> University here in Portland.  In two weeks I got the diagnosis from the
> dermatologist of DH.  He explained about gluten etc.  That was May 95 and
> since then I've undertaken the major learning experience of being celiac and
> eating gluten free.  I opted not to take dapsone for the DH as it has many
> side effects.  I also felt that many other symptoms were related to being
> celiac.  In addition, my oldest daughter (who has many of the same medical
> conditions as I) was diagnosed celiac by intestinal biopsy last August.
> That one simple referral for acne sure took us down a new path in life.  The
> good news is that we are both feeling so very much better.