Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a
chronic disease of the skin marked by groups of watery, itchy blisters that may
resemble pimples or blisters. The ingestion of gluten (from wheat, rye, and
barley) triggers an immune system response that deposits a substance, lgA
(Immunoglobulin A), under the top layer of skin. IgA is present in affected as
well as unaffected skin. DH is an autoimmune gluten intolerance disease linked
with celiac disease. With DH, the primary lesion is on the skin, whereas with
celiac disease the lesions are in the small intestine. The degree of damage to
the small intestine is often less severe or more patchy than those with celiac
disease.
"Dermatitis herpetiformis is a generalized blistering disease unrelated to eczema but is caused by gluten sensitivity and responds to dapsone. The diagnosis for the fingers is dishydrotic eczema which can affect the fingers, toes, palms and soles and is a chronic recurring form of eczema. Wet evaporative dressings and topical steroids usually are effective. Topical hydrocortisone cream almost never produces thinning of the skin but the others can with prolonged use. I don't agree that colonic cleansing to remove toxins is a real issue, and one cannot hydrate the skin by drinking lots of water. One keeps the skin hydrated by restoring barrier function and replacing water in the stratum corneum with baths and wet dressings as you describe so nicely."
Irwin Braverman