Dermatitis Herpetiformis: An Update on Diagnosis and Management

Am J Clin Dermatol. 2021 May;22(3):329-338. doi: 10.1007/s40257-020-00584-2.

Abstract

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), presenting with an intense itch and blistering symmetrical rash, typically on the elbows, knees, and buttocks, is a cutaneous manifestation of celiac disease. Though overt gastrointestinal symptoms are rare, three-fourths of patients with DH have villous atrophy in the small bowel, and the rest have celiac-type inflammatory changes. DH affects mostly adults and slightly more males than females. The mean age at onset is about 50 years. DH diagnosis is confirmed by showing granular immunoglobulin A deposits in the papillary dermis. The DH autoantigen, transglutaminase 3, is deposited at the same site in tightly bound immune complexes. At present, the DH-to-celiac disease prevalence is 1:8. The incidence of DH is decreasing, whereas that of celiac disease is increasing, probably because of improved diagnostics. In DH, the treatment of choice for all patients is a gluten-free diet (GFD) in which uncontaminated oats are allowed. At onset, most patients need additional dapsone to rapidly control the rash and itching. Dapsone can be stopped after a mean of 2 years, and a strict lifelong GFD alone is required. Dietary adherence offers an excellent long-term prognosis for patients with DH, with a normal quality of life and all-cause mortality.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Celiac Disease / diagnosis
  • Celiac Disease / epidemiology
  • Celiac Disease / immunology
  • Celiac Disease / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy / methods
  • Dapsone / therapeutic use*
  • Dermatitis Herpetiformis / diagnosis
  • Dermatitis Herpetiformis / epidemiology
  • Dermatitis Herpetiformis / immunology
  • Dermatitis Herpetiformis / therapy*
  • Dermis / drug effects
  • Dermis / immunology
  • Dermis / pathology
  • Diet, Gluten-Free*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / analysis
  • Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Intestine, Small / drug effects
  • Intestine, Small / immunology
  • Intestine, Small / pathology
  • Male
  • Patient Compliance
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Quality of Life
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Dapsone