There is a skin problem that occurs for some with celiac disease called Dermatitis Herpetiformis and if you aren't knowledgable, you might be living with it and have no clue and unfortunately, unless a skin biopsy is taken it can be very hard for dermatologists to know the difference between examples such as follow and other skin problems. I don't blame Drs because they are taught that celiac is rare, that DH is rarer and the photos they get to see in school are certain classics and not necessarily like what follows. In the USA they don't say it's "common on the scalp" but in the UK they do. I can't tell you how many times I was told my skin problems were nothing but I have had some very classic DH in my life and really wish a Dr had noticed.

These photos are not easy on the eyes.

Do you have backne that itches or is painful? Keratosis Pilaris on back and butt that gets scratched? buttne? or dermatitis herpetiformis? (hint, the following is dermatitis herpetiformis) Painful, pimple-like KP (painful being a key word here) that gets a bit pus-filled and fluidy?
http://hardinmd.lib.uiowa.edu/dermne...iformis23.html

Here on top of thigh, little spots of DH. would some of us, untrained, mistake that for keratosis pilaris, especially if it was mixed in with KP? I think it's possible:
http://hardinmd.lib.uiowa.edu/dermnet/dermatitisherpetiformis24.html

DH on forehead, easy to mistake for something else but having some itchiness is big clue:
http://hardinmd.lib.uiowa.edu/dermnet/dermatitisherpetiformis28.html

acne on neck or blocked follicles? or DH? it's DH
http://hardinmd.lib.uiowa.edu/dermnet/dermatitisherpetiformis33.html

top of thighs ("Patients may describe a prodrome - early symptom - of stinging or burning in the affected skin prior to the eruption of visible lesions" and then the itching is usually so bad, no blister shows up cause it all has been scratched already)
Continuing Medical Education - Children's Memorial Hospital (Link is broken for now, 8/1/11)

On the temple. I would mistake this for painful acne I am almost certain of it:
http://hardinmd.lib.uiowa.edu/dermnet/dermatitisherpetiformis6.html

full bunch of photos from u of iowa:
http://hardinmd.lib.uiowa.edu/dermnet/dermatitisherpetiformis.html

I think, when you already have Keratosis Pilaris, this sort of skin thing could be confusing. Especially, if like me, Drs had really blown you off for many years and assumed you were just a "picker" and that you really could get over this sort of thing if you just applied yourself. Funny, Doc, I applied a gluten-free diet to myself and guess what? it goes away and my KP almost completely goes away.

****edit: if these links don't work please try this one: http://hardinmd.lib.uiowa.edu/dermat...etiformis.html
they seem to keep changing the server address or something

__________________
- bd: 46 yo F; Dr. Woods Black Soap w/Shea Butter for facewash; Sea Salt + Epsom Salt scrub in shower; Cetaphil RestoraDerm unscented lotion, Alba Botanica Kona Coffee After-Sun lotion on face; reg. exercise; OilPulling; a basic multi-vite plus calcium/Vit D, o3s; eating GLUTEN-FREE DIET for Celiac Disease, and not much dairy as I get allergic reaction; Arms 99% clear, face neck chest 98%, legs 90% clear, butt is 99% clear. All dietary treatments above help reduce my sinus congestion and joint pain besides help my skin.

Bunnyday, thanks for your time on this, I believe this will help a lot of people because there's a big chance that people with KP have this disease and they don't know, it's one more thing to consider in the search for the root cause of KP.

I have some questions (maybe because I haven't read all the links).

Is there a possibility that someone contract gluten intolerance from nothing? starts without a reason?
I ask that because I have never being intolerant to any kind of food in my entire life, and my KP started 3 months ago. Is there any chance that it just started from nothing on me? How does this work?

the links I posted are photos, not so much text.

Right now, med sci thinks it has narrowed down the couple of genes that increase likelihood for celiac disease (of course there are always a few exceptions...) but generally speaking you need to have at least one of these to have celiac. The genes are fairly common though and not everyone who has the genes ends up with celiac (or so they currently think.)

the following is from: Genetic Testing for Celiac Disease - Consults Blog - NYTimes.com

"We now know that celiac disease occurs in many as 1 in 100 people in nearly every country in Europe, including the Mediterranean region, as well as in North Africa and Asia from the Middle East to as far east as India and in countries settled by migrants from countries where celiac disease occurs."

"We don’t really know why celiac disease shows up later in life in some folks. Pregnancy, stress, infection, gastric surgery and a few other things have been suggested as possible triggering factors. The average diagnosis of celiac disease is now made in 40 or 50 year olds, whereas it used to be a disease of children. Patients are being diagnosed as late as the eighth decade of life and later. More research needs to be done to determine why celiac disease is presenting later in life and why it is a more common condition than in the past."

"antibody blood tests for celiac disease can be negative when first checked but become positive later in life when celiac disease starts to develop;"

Also, skin biopsy that is positive for dermatitis herpetiformis is a positive diagnosis for celiac disease, end-of-story. There are no further blood tests or intestinal biopsies needed.

Having the genes does not mean you have celiac, just a certain predisposition. There are also greater and lesser general risks depending which genes in what combo and halves you have them. it's very hard for me to wrap my brain around but what I get from this is that unless you get the bestest most primo testing, there can be false negatives. more here:
Ten Facts About Celiac Disease Genetic Testing

__________________
- bd: 46 yo F; Dr. Woods Black Soap w/Shea Butter for facewash; Sea Salt + Epsom Salt scrub in shower; Cetaphil RestoraDerm unscented lotion, Alba Botanica Kona Coffee After-Sun lotion on face; reg. exercise; OilPulling; a basic multi-vite plus calcium/Vit D, o3s; eating GLUTEN-FREE DIET for Celiac Disease, and not much dairy as I get allergic reaction; Arms 99% clear, face neck chest 98%, legs 90% clear, butt is 99% clear. All dietary treatments above help reduce my sinus congestion and joint pain besides help my skin.

For anyone who gets recurrent boils, esp in the arms, groin, buttocks, and under the breasts, there's another autoimmune skin condition called Hidradenitis Suppurativa which is a sever follicular blockage disorder and it is often misdiagnosed or not dx'd at all:

"HS is an inflammatory skin disease that affects an estimated 1% of the population. The main features of HS include painful and chronically recurring, deep-seated follicular nodules, papules, pustules and abscesses, scarring, sinus tracts and recurrent discharge. The areas most commonly affected are under the arms, groin, buttocks, and under the breasts. The disease is variable and recurrent. It may present with solitary or multiple lesions in one area, with lesions in many areas, or in more severe cases may have large areas of skin affected by recurrent, draining lesions that are very difficult to heal."

more at: Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation, Inc. - A 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation.

and: Hidradenitis suppurativa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and where I heard of it was in this thread at a gluten-free forum where there are a lot of anecdotes of people's skin problems, including KP, receding on a GF diet:
Gluten Free and Beyond Forums :: View topic - Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Acne Inversa

__________________
- bd: 46 yo F; Dr. Woods Black Soap w/Shea Butter for facewash; Sea Salt + Epsom Salt scrub in shower; Cetaphil RestoraDerm unscented lotion, Alba Botanica Kona Coffee After-Sun lotion on face; reg. exercise; OilPulling; a basic multi-vite plus calcium/Vit D, o3s; eating GLUTEN-FREE DIET for Celiac Disease, and not much dairy as I get allergic reaction; Arms 99% clear, face neck chest 98%, legs 90% clear, butt is 99% clear. All dietary treatments above help reduce my sinus congestion and joint pain besides help my skin.

Here's an interesting collection of abstracts of various skin conditions that can be linked to a patient's celiac disease. Often times celiac disease is not even considered as a possible root cause of these symptoms but it just goes to show you there may be much we don't know and that our Drs aren't aware of...
jccglutenfree: psoriasis,urticaria,andotherskinconditions

"Urticaria" btw is just " a kind of skin rash notable for dark red, raised, itchy bumps" - basically hives. and "Perhaps as many as 30-40% of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria will, in fact, have an autoimmune cause"

__________________
- bd: 46 yo F; Dr. Woods Black Soap w/Shea Butter for facewash; Sea Salt + Epsom Salt scrub in shower; Cetaphil RestoraDerm unscented lotion, Alba Botanica Kona Coffee After-Sun lotion on face; reg. exercise; OilPulling; a basic multi-vite plus calcium/Vit D, o3s; eating GLUTEN-FREE DIET for Celiac Disease, and not much dairy as I get allergic reaction; Arms 99% clear, face neck chest 98%, legs 90% clear, butt is 99% clear. All dietary treatments above help reduce my sinus congestion and joint pain besides help my skin.

Hmm.. I have a pretty mild case of KP on my arms, legs, and thighs and I have a routine that I do everyday (exfoliate and moisturize obviously) but when I stop- it can even be a missed day the very next day I get boils.. :| And I only get them when I stop my routine.. I get them in random places... I've had 5 on my calf, 2 on my other calf, one on each arm.. 2 on one thigh and 1 on my ankle.. AND I notice new ones forming if I look hard.. than I go and do my routine, once in the morning and once at night for maybe two days and than the boils are gone.. unfortunately leaving angry little scars It sucks but it least it gets me to keep up with routine!

so, iwubekittnes, have you put any thought into checking to see if you have celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis?

__________________
- bd: 46 yo F; Dr. Woods Black Soap w/Shea Butter for facewash; Sea Salt + Epsom Salt scrub in shower; Cetaphil RestoraDerm unscented lotion, Alba Botanica Kona Coffee After-Sun lotion on face; reg. exercise; OilPulling; a basic multi-vite plus calcium/Vit D, o3s; eating GLUTEN-FREE DIET for Celiac Disease, and not much dairy as I get allergic reaction; Arms 99% clear, face neck chest 98%, legs 90% clear, butt is 99% clear. All dietary treatments above help reduce my sinus congestion and joint pain besides help my skin.

I was beginging to think I'm gunna go see my doctor seeing as I got 2 yesterday.. ones reallly gross actually, and the other seemed to go away, it didnt even come to a head or anything. But the other is really nasty.. just another scar to add to my calf I guess

Hey thanks for ur reply learned a lot of new things,,
Ok so look I have KP I'm using kp duty and there going away on my butt... but the thing is I have lil pimples or white heads in some places on my butt too...some even right on top of the kp... idk if those are gonna go away...their like little pimples... I've only used kp duty once and I seen a difference on kp ... but the lil pimples are still there :/ help?? Any suggestions on what it may b?

Another image I ran across of dermatitis herpetiformis on the side of the thigh, subtle. How much like KP do you think it looks?
Dermatitis Herpetiformis Picture

__________________
- bd: 46 yo F; Dr. Woods Black Soap w/Shea Butter for facewash; Sea Salt + Epsom Salt scrub in shower; Cetaphil RestoraDerm unscented lotion, Alba Botanica Kona Coffee After-Sun lotion on face; reg. exercise; OilPulling; a basic multi-vite plus calcium/Vit D, o3s; eating GLUTEN-FREE DIET for Celiac Disease, and not much dairy as I get allergic reaction; Arms 99% clear, face neck chest 98%, legs 90% clear, butt is 99% clear. All dietary treatments above help reduce my sinus congestion and joint pain besides help my skin.

Geeez. The DH photos from the first post are just so typically me
Temples, neck... all those funny places, my arms and thighs are pretty normal.

I can't thank you enough bunnyday, I need to check this out. Need to figure out where. My GP(s) have just been so useless and disinterested, as have the private and NHS dermatologists :/ Maybe a private consultant with the suggestions of DH might be able to help. All advice appreciated x

I should say I have a autoimmune thyroid problem, Hashimotos - possibly linked? My cousin has this problem as well I think.

Hashimoto's is linked with celiac disease - that is to say if you have the one you are more likely to have the other. My family's docs check our thyroid levels now that they know we have celiac disease but we are all ok.
The Celiac/Autoimmune Thyroid Connection: A Major Thyroid Disease Breakthrough

"Accordingly, it is recommended that patients with Hashimotos thyroiditis be screened for celiac disease and that patients with known celiac be screened for Hashimotos thyroiditis."
Connection Found between Celiac Disease and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

__________________
- bd: 46 yo F; Dr. Woods Black Soap w/Shea Butter for facewash; Sea Salt + Epsom Salt scrub in shower; Cetaphil RestoraDerm unscented lotion, Alba Botanica Kona Coffee After-Sun lotion on face; reg. exercise; OilPulling; a basic multi-vite plus calcium/Vit D, o3s; eating GLUTEN-FREE DIET for Celiac Disease, and not much dairy as I get allergic reaction; Arms 99% clear, face neck chest 98%, legs 90% clear, butt is 99% clear. All dietary treatments above help reduce my sinus congestion and joint pain besides help my skin.

I'm so grateful for all your help, but every time you post something I burst into tears about how much it 'fits' :dohh:

I'm sorry! Really I am cause I know you have a lot just having a baby! Take a deep breath, or three or a hundred. Take your time and if any of this stuff is the case for you then being diagnosed will likely improve things for you and it will be important info to have for your child too in the long run.

__________________
- bd: 46 yo F; Dr. Woods Black Soap w/Shea Butter for facewash; Sea Salt + Epsom Salt scrub in shower; Cetaphil RestoraDerm unscented lotion, Alba Botanica Kona Coffee After-Sun lotion on face; reg. exercise; OilPulling; a basic multi-vite plus calcium/Vit D, o3s; eating GLUTEN-FREE DIET for Celiac Disease, and not much dairy as I get allergic reaction; Arms 99% clear, face neck chest 98%, legs 90% clear, butt is 99% clear. All dietary treatments above help reduce my sinus congestion and joint pain besides help my skin.

If you were in the states I might suggest just going gluten-free without the testing. Testing is not the be all and end all since there are false negatives in people who are only part way down the road to having full blown celiac disease. "Full Blown" means a certain amount of small intestine damage.

However, since you are in the UK and there is subsidizing of the gluten-free diet via the NHS (I think that's where it happens but what do I know, I'm a septic) it might be worth it to have an official diagnosis if you're positive. You can't have the blood tests after being gluten-free so don't go gluten-free if you're going to do testing.

__________________
- bd: 46 yo F; Dr. Woods Black Soap w/Shea Butter for facewash; Sea Salt + Epsom Salt scrub in shower; Cetaphil RestoraDerm unscented lotion, Alba Botanica Kona Coffee After-Sun lotion on face; reg. exercise; OilPulling; a basic multi-vite plus calcium/Vit D, o3s; eating GLUTEN-FREE DIET for Celiac Disease, and not much dairy as I get allergic reaction; Arms 99% clear, face neck chest 98%, legs 90% clear, butt is 99% clear. All dietary treatments above help reduce my sinus congestion and joint pain besides help my skin.