Dermatitis herpetiformis

Background

• Autoimmune disorder associated gluten sensitivity

Evaluation

Characteristic rash

• Looks like scabies, but clustered around elbows, knees, shoulders, buttox

Differential Diagnosis

• Scabies

Vesiculobullous rashes

Febrile

• Diffuse distribution
  • Varicella
  • Smallpox
  • Disseminated gonococcal disease
  • DIC
  • Purpural fulminans
• Localized distribution
  • Necrotizing fasciitis
  • Hand-foot-and-mouth disease

Afebrile

• Diffuse distribution
  • Bullous pemphigoid
  • Drug-Induced bullous disorders
  • Pemphigus vulgaris
  • Phytophotodermatitis
  • Erythema multiforme major
• Localized distribution
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Herpes zoster
  • Dyshidrotic eczema
  • Burn
  • Dermatitis herpetiformis
  • Erythema multiforme minor
  • Poison Oak, Ivy, Sumac dermatitis
  • Bullosis diabeticorum

Management

• Gluten free diet
• Dapsone

See Also

Rash

Authors

Ross Donaldson, Daniel Ostermayer, Neil Young