<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Thank you everyone for responding to my questions. Here is what I learned: First for those of us new to the list and to DH, there is alot of information on the internet. (I had already read most of this.) Also many of my questions were addressed in an survey done through the list in April of 97. You can read these in the archives of the list. When we first signed on to the list they gave you instructions on how to do this. I also found out it can take several biopsys to get a positive result. One person it took twelve. The doctor needs to be careful to get a specimen of normal looking skin near the blister, and not the blister itself. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple years for the rash to completely go away after going on a gluten free diet. But there is some question that when it takes an extended period of time that the person may not be on strict diet or be ingesting "hidden" glutens. After being gluten free, and accidentally (or on purpose) ingesting gluten it can take anywhere for 45min. to a week to break out in a rash, and it can then take a couple of weeks to clear again. Also a couple of people that were orignally diagnosed with just DH developed GI symptoms when they ingested gluten after they had been gluten free. For one person his DH systoms cleared on a diet eliminating oats, canola oil,grain vinegar, soy products (including Vit E) and grain alcohol. The blood test done for CD is also relative to DH. I'm going to see my Dermotologist on Monday to see about getting this test. Some very important things for us to remember: Diet is the only treatment - the drugs just treat the symptoms! We need to remember that although DH manifests itself in blisters the same intestinal damage and potential escalation into other of the autoimmune systems can occur. Some of you asked if I was on Dapsone. First my doctor didn't want to give it to me without a positive biopsy. Second I hate taking medication, so if I could stand to get it under control with out the drugs and their side effects so much the better. Betamethasone creams (by prescription only) help in the interum. I hope this information helps others! Joan Redmond, WA