From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dermatitis herpetiformis, or DH, is a skin disorder[1] often associated with coeliac disease.[2] It is not caused by herpes virus, but rather its name is derived from its having an appearance similar to the lesions found in herpes infections.
It has been associated with gluten sensitivity.[3]
[edit] Presentation and diagnosis
Dermatitis herpetiformis is characterized by an intensely itchy, chronic papulovesicular eruption that usually is distributed symmetrically on extensor surfaces (elbows, knees, buttocks, back, back of neck).[4]:616 Diagnosis is confirmed by a simple blood test for IgA antibodies.
It can often be distinguished from linear IgA bullous dermatosis by the pattern of IgA deposits.[5]
[edit] Treatment
Dapsone is an effective treatment, although a gluten-free diet should also be followed.
[edit] Notable cases
It has been suggested that French revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat suffered from DH,[6] leading him to spend much of his time in, and even work from, a bathtub filled with an herbal mixture that he used to calm the sores.
[edit] References
- ^ Singal A, Bhattacharya SN, Baruah MC (2002). "Dermatitis herpetiformis and rheumatoid arthritis". Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 68 (4): 229–30. PMID 17656946. http://www.ijdvl.com/article.asp?issn=0378-6323;year=2002;volume=68;issue=4;spage=229;epage=230;aulast=Singal.
- ^ dermatitis herpetiformis at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ Marietta EV, Camilleri MJ, Castro LA, Krause PK, Pittelkow MR, Murray JA (February 2008). "Transglutaminase autoantibodies in dermatitis herpetiformis and coeliac sprue". J. Invest. Dermatol. 128 (2): 332–5. doi:10.1038/sj.jid.5701041. PMID 17762854. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.jid.5701041.
- ^ Freedberg, et al. (2003). Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0071380760.
- ^ Van L, Browning JC, Krishnan RS, Kenner-Bell BM, Hsu S (2008). "Dermatitis herpetiformis: potential for confusion with linear IgA bullous dermatosis on direct immunofluorescence". Dermatol. Online J. 14 (1): 21. PMID 18319038. http://dermatology.cdlib.org/141/correspondence/dh/van.html.
- ^ Jelinek JE (1979). "Jean-Paul Marat. The differential diagnosis of his skin disease". Am J Dermatopathol 1 (3): 251–2. PMID 396805.
[edit] External links
|
Diseases of the skin and appendages by morphology |
|
| Growths |
|
|
| Rashes |
|
With
epidermal
involvement
|
|
|
|
Without
epidermal
involvement
|
|
Red
|
|
|
|
Generalized
|
|
|
|
Localized
|
|
|
|
Specialized
|
|
|
|
|
Nonblanchable
Purpura
|
|
|
|
|
Indurated
|
|
|
|
|
Miscellaneous
disorders |
|
|
