Differentiating dermatitis herpetiformis from other diseases
| Disease Name | Appearance | Causes | Symptoms | Distribution | Triggers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atopic dermatitis | Eczematous Scalinge, Xerosis and Lichenification.
|
The cause can be genetic, personal or infectious.
(see Atopic dermatitis causes) |
Intense itching, scaling and thickening of the skin. | The distribution might vary with the age of patient.
In adults it involves the areas where skin flexes like elbows, behind the knees and in front of neck. |
Family or personal history of Atopy. |
| Scabies | Papules which can progress to Vesicles and Bullae. | Sarcoptes scabiei | Intense itching, redness and rash. | Webs of the fingers and toes.
Wrists. |
infested Fomite, usually beddings. |
| Bullous pemphigoid | Blisters all over the skin. | Autoimmune reaction to the underlying skin
structures called Hemidesmosome. |
Intense itching which precedes formation of blisters. | All over skin sparing mucous
membranes. |
|
| Pemphigus vulgaris | Flaccid Bullae all over the skin. | Autoimmune disease in which antibodies are
formed against Desmoglein. |
Intense itching and formation of flaccid blisters which might rupture and cause secondary infection. | All over the skin and mucous
membrane. |
|
| Linear IgA bullous dermatosis | Clinical pattern of bullae formation. | Autoimmune disease in which antibodies are
formed against basement membrane proteins like Lamina lucida and Sublamina densa. |
Intense itching , formation of papules, vesicles and bullae which might rupture. | All over the skin and mucous
membrane. |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Overview
Dermatitis Herpetiformis (also called Duhring’s disease), is a chronic itchy rash which is frequently associated with Celiac Disease. The rash is made of papules and vesicles which are present on different parts of the body mostly commonly on neck, trunk, buttocks and knees. It is an autoimmune mediated skin condition, which is IgA mediated reaction and is associated with gluten sensitivity of small bowel. There is presence of antibodies which leads to positive serology test results.
Dermatitis herpetiformis is associated with high prevalence of other autoimmune diseases.
Differentiating Dermatitis Herpetiformis from Other Diseases
Differentiating Dermatitis Herpetiformis from Other Diseases
Dermatitis herpetiformis is an intensely itching, blistering rash which might present with excoriations (see Dermatitis herpetiformis physical examination). It should be differentiated from all those skin conditions which presents with itching, blisters and excoriations.
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