<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thanks to all who responded. Below are the responses: Someone suggested getting tested for food allergies. She had been gf for 1 1/2 years with no improvement and got tested and found she had 23 allergies. People with similar rashes identified the following as suspect: Brach's candies (b/c conveyor is dusted with flour) Lipstick Alcohol: wine coolers, vodka, schnaaps Kraft sharp cheddar One person uses the rash like the canary in the coalmine... Tells if the recently introduced product in the diet is okay or not. Referral to Dr. John Zone in Utah, Dr. who specializes in D.H. (800) 581-5075 or 877-893-4363. Possible problems could be 1. D.H. 2. psoriasis 3. exzema (treat with 2% hydrocortisone) 4. acne rosacea (worsens with alcohol consumption and is worse in winter) Suggested shampoos: Johnson's baby shampoo health store variety with tea-tree oil (Dessert brand) giovanni shampoos,from the health food store: triple tea tree treat or 50/50, plus the body builder. Topical Benadryl cream provides relief. Comfrey provides relief. ...The only thing that he has that does flare up now and then is a small rash about a half dollar size on his face just next to his nose. Now he went to a dermatologist about 1 1/2 yrs ago and he gave him a cream called Cutivate .05%. He was to apply it 2 times a day for 2 weeks as needed to the rash. It does not take it away but it does calm it down almost to the point of not noticing it. Someone with similar symptoms found through the process of elimination that they react to milk and dairy products and so avoid lactose and other sugars. Cut out sources of iodine (such as iodized table salt), shell fish, sea salt as if my symptoms are due to D.H., these are known to exacerbate symptoms. Also known to cause D.H. breakouts are Bomides and Iodides in household cleaners.There are also something called Halidides in some drugs. And as if that weren't enough NSAIDS (anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, motrin, advil, etc.) have been known to bring on an attack. There is this other excellent forum for you to ask your questions. http://forums.about.com/celiac/messages If you can tolerate it, try eating yogurt with live acidophyllus cultures in it. If you can't eat the yogurt, you can buy powdered cultures in most health food stores. If this is not DH, it could be shingles which are caused by the chicken pox virus. Stress, sun exposure and not keeping yogurt cultures regularly in your diet cause my mother to break out in symptoms similar to what you describe. It is unknown what "exactly" she has, but the yogurt works. Also, if this seems to be a cyclic problem (i.e. waxes and wanes over the course of a month), you might try red raspberry leaf tea (2-3 cups a day). I find it helps so-called "female acne." Make sure you find raspberry leaf tea and not raspberry flavored tea. Again, check in health food stores. I think it is exzema my son has it. It is very itchy. The same tiny bubbles.He usesa physcription from dermatologist consists of Betame 20% Aqua&Glaxobase40%. It helps but never goes away for some it does This rash happened on my arms and I asked my doctor who did a biopsy because I have cd I thought it was dh he said it was not likely which it wasn't I had exzema. I went through years of experimenting (I get a rash around my mouth and my right eye (why only one eye? - beats me!)) with products, skin allergy testing, getting rid of products to have the rash only magically reappear and worse each time. I finally did the food allergy elimination diet and found that I had become sensitive to corn, potatoes, yeast and many others - probably from the heightened exposure due to reliance on these new grains - and now the rash is gone: I eat a very strict, bland diet - BORING!!!! - but I feel so much better that it's worth it. My reason for writing is that sometimes we're looking in the wrong direction and don't think to look at other foods too. I can relate to the rash. Last year I had such outbreaks that I had to soak my face in hot water for relief and smeared vitamin E oil on so I could sleep at night. Changed all of ;my shampoos, soaps, lotions etc. I don't have a diagnosis of either CD or DH, but all of those symptoms improved when I went wheat/gluten free. Another big improvement was when I eliminated all products containing corn (corn starch,corn syrup etc). I was surprised to find out how many common products have corn in some form. Lastly, went through a liver detox process which also seemed to help. My scalp rashes tend to flare up in the winter--I think the cold reallydries your skin out. Also, I tend to get the rash where heat builds under myhair around my ears and back of my neck because my hair is longer. Sometimes hairsprays and gels and styling products seem to irritate it too even though they don't contain any gluten ingredients. I've been pinning my hair up at night to keep the rash cooler and I put Eucerin cream on it (not the lotion,the heavy, Crisco-like cream) and it helps a lot. I also have to limit my hair styling products more. Mine is aggravated by stress and some citrus or high acid foods. I have a similar problem off and on, despite a gluten free diet. The only thing that seems to wrong is to alternate shampoos between The Shampoo by Paul Mitchell, and several others, including one from the health food store with tea tree oil in it (Desert something). The tea tree oil seems to help alot. Also want to let you know about cold-pressed flax oil, in the refrig. case at health food stores. I take 1 teaspoon a day, this seems to help, plus is great for overall health and for helping with pregnancy and nursing (I have three kids, including still nursing my 14 month old). I have found that it is vital to good health, when I don't take it, can tell a big difference. It is most likely DH...what works some for me is Cortizone in AM (i don't think that will be an issue during pregnancy) and try some (Mazola) corn oil when you can...esp before bed. Avoid iodized salt...use regular non-iodized salt...also avoid sea salt if you can! Iodized will make your dermititis itchy if it is DH. A cousin of mine suffered for years with a painful, itchy rash on her bodyand scalp. Doctor after doctor tried various treatments with no success.One doctor finally said she should be tested for DH, but since it runs in families my cousin should have heard of someone else with this problem. (I was diagnosed with celiac disease in May, 1999, the first in the family). My cousin was negative for DH, but was found to be allergic to formaldehyde,a preservative in just about everything. She has had to change soaps,makeup, shampoos, etc., and can only wear clothing that has 100 percent natural fibers, like cotton, silk, etc. Long story short - you may be having an allergic reaction to something that isn't related to celiac disease. I have never suffered with this symptom, but it sounds like something my mom suffers from. It took her doctor years to name it. It turned out that it was psoriasis. She suffered miserably for years, trying everything , till we stumbled on this bit of info. It seems that natural progesterone cream works incredibly well to rid one of this rash. It can be purchased at any health food store. Apply directly to the rash several times/ day until the rash disappears. It worked a miracle on her. Her doctor had given up on anything helping her until he saw the results of this cream. Being an MD he didn't want to admit that a natural product could have that kind of effect but neither could he deny the miraculous healing he witnessed!