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Dermatitis herpetiformis

Last reviewed: 5 Oct 2024
Last updated: 08 Feb 2024

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • polymorphic rash
  • pruritus
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • burning sensations affecting the skin
  • atypical cutaneous manifestations
  • oral lesions
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • abdominal bloating
  • abdominal pain
  • weight loss
  • anemia
  • peripheral edema
  • reduced growth rate
Full details

Risk factors

  • gluten ingestion
  • celiac disease
  • genetic predisposition
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • direct immunofluorescence microscopy
  • histopathologic exam
  • immunoglobulin A-tissue transglutaminase (IgA-tTG)
  • endomysial antibody (EMA)
Full details

Tests to consider

  • human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing
  • CBC
  • gastroscopy with duodenal biopsy
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ONGOING

all patients

Contributors

Authors

Emiliano Antiga, MD, PhD

Professor

University of Florence

Florence

Italy

Disclosures

EA declares that he has no competing interests. EA is an author of references cited in this topic.

Peer reviewers

Russell P. Hall III, MD

Professor

Department of Dermatology

Duke University School of Medicine

Durham

NC

USA

Disclosures

RPH declares that he has no competing interests.

Michael Farrugia, MD FRCP (Edin) PgDip

Consultant Dermatologist

NHS Lothian

Edinburgh

UK

Disclosures

MF has received funding to attend dermatology conferences from Leo, AbbVie, and Novartis.

  • Dermatitis herpetiformis images
  • Differentials

    • Atopic dermatitis
    • Contact dermatitis
    • Scabies
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • Guidelines of the Italian societies of gastroenterology on the diagnosis and management of coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis
    • S2k guidelines (consensus statement) for diagnosis and therapy of dermatitis herpetiformis
    More Guidelines
  • Patient information

    Celiac disease

    More Patient information
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