Lichen planus or dermatitis herpetiformis

[Bolshybun]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been suffering with flare ups of either burning red patches on my face, scalp dermatitis and most recently widespread flares of itchy bumps that are skin coloured or red. All incredibly itchy. It flared after covid and for 10 months I had only photo sharing consultations with my GP. Finally saw a dermatologist albeit for 10 mins who thought perhaps lichen planus and gave me stronger steroid cream than my GP had. It still flares almost daily, I have it on my arms especially elbows, back and legs. When it flares the bumps are so itchy and resemble blisters. The dermatologist was suspicious that covid had induced an immune response but I am yet to have a biopsy. The investigation is at such a slow pace, I am incredibly understanding of the NHS pressures but months between appointments at the dermatologist and begging my GP for help (who has still not seen me face to face) is wearing me down. I had a blood test which apparently rules out coeliac but I seem to flare after food. I am taking 180mg of fexofenadine daily but it is just controlling the symptoms for a few hours. Anyone had any other experiences?

I've not had it @Bolshybun, and it sounds incredibly painful. When do you get to see the Dermatologist again?

It’s not classic placement for DH, mine flares symmetrically on hands feet, scalp and hair line but I also had multiple negative coeliac screens until they realised I was immunodeficient

A reasonably quick way to test would be to eliminate all gluten from your diet, it took about a week for my blisters to dry and heal, reintroduction of gluten would cause further blisters to erupt about 48 hours after exposure

Hi,you say it flared after covid however I know quite a few people that have he same thing but theirs was after the jab so sounds like you are right on what’s caused it and it will probably take time no matter what you use for it

I am supposed to see the dermatologist in September but I’ve get to receive the appointment letter. I am still in the same position, a day of light relief then a flare again. I have emailed a private healthcare provider today out of desperation. My own GP just keeps saying I am under dermatology and is no help.

I am going to try gluten free just in case @Tomnooktoldmeto, thank you for the rough timescales of how long I’d need to trial it for

Good luck, just remember that gluten can be hidden in everything, lipstick makeup body lotion as well as food

Thank you 😊 There’s definitely certain cosmetic products that cause flares, I’ll examine the ingredient lists

Make sure to exclude oats in food and body products too, 8 % of us react to oats as well and the current advice is to exclude for the first 6 months then reintroduce slowly and monitor

Oats make me itch like crazy, sadly DS is also now reacting to oats after a decade gluten free, but neither of my DC have developed DH as they were diagnosed early enough

Hi I'm no doctor but I have alot of experience with this, did u manage to see a dermatologist in the End?

You could try kefir yoghurt drinks to put the bacteria back in your stomach if you have been poorly. They may help? No hot baths. Holland and Barrett will tell u what there best selling moisturisers are - something with an anti bac in it would be good - dr organics tea tree lotion is good

Apples also for immunity