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Elbow rash (pics)

6 replies

YoureTerribleMuriel23 · 14/07/2023 12:32

Shameless post in chat for traffic as health boards are quiet! Have had this rash intermittently on my elbows for about a year now. It always starts on one elbow, then will appear on the other one a few days later. Very itchy, not painful. Been to pharmacist who wasn't sure what it was but gave steroid cream which didn't really help. Haven't been to gp as the rash comes and goes. However in the past 4 months or so I've been excessively tired (eyes feel very heavy much of the time) and finding it difficult to concentrate. I've recently been getting palpitations too. The rash and other symptoms could be completely unrelated and don't want to muddy the waters but throwing too many things together. I've tried several times recently to get hold of the gp but by the time I get through, all appointments are gone. Google suggests dermatitis herpetiformis and I have previously been treated for low folate which is also connected to celiac (no gastro symptoms). I know I will have to speak to a gp at some point but hoping some wise mumsnetters may be able to advise in the meantime

OP posts:
Annaisatwat · 14/07/2023 13:53

I was going to ask if you had been tested for celiac.

I had this rash, the tiredness and brain fog for about 8 months. I was seeing a gastro consultant for something totally unrelated (history of colon cancer in my family, and I was 40, so time to get on the regular checks).

I was taking to him about not feeling great in general over the last year. He said, he had a hunch and was going to test for celiac (although this was private and my insurance was paying so he was just ticking away saying that I might well get them to pay for it all).

Yup, I’m celiac! I had no gastro symptoms either, not a single one. No idea what triggered it at 40, although, I did had a pregnancy and a horrific virus around that time, both of which can be a trigger.

So it is worth exploring.

YoureTerribleMuriel23 · 14/07/2023 14:11

Thank you very much for the reply @Annaisatwat. Until very recently, I thought that celiac had to have gastro symptoms which is why I didn't pay much heed to the rash at first (when I googled it suggested dermatitis herpetiformis). But the brain fog and tiredness are getting me down quite a bit recently so thought they may be linked. I had originally queried low iron or thyroid issues but definitely will mention to my GP about celiac now. Did you ever get palpitations also?

OP posts:
Annaisatwat · 14/07/2023 14:18

Yes and the two times I have been accidentally fed gluten, I have had awful heart palpitations as one of the symptoms. It’s those, awful brain fog, and joint pain for me.

My consultant said that a lot of GPs are very dismissive of testing for coeliac with no gastro symptoms, but it is common not to have any, which is why so many people go undiagnosed.

It might be worth a go for you.

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Annaisatwat · 14/07/2023 14:20

Thyroid issues can also be linked to celiac too. I have mine checked yearly now.

YoureTerribleMuriel23 · 14/07/2023 15:47

Yes I will definitely push for celiac testing @Annaisatwat. Incidentally, there's a string family history of various autoimmune disorders in the family, thyroid being one of them so I'll make sure to mention it to the GP

OP posts:
Annaisatwat · 14/07/2023 16:18

Good luck, I hope you get to the bottom of it soon.

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