Hi! I'm new to the forum; just posted my story here:
http://www.celiac.com/gluten-free/topic/112414-microscopic-colitis-sensitivity-no-celiac-diagnosis/
Background: I don't have any official diagnosis... but I think I have celiac and possibly DH. Starting in my late teens, I had itchy bumps all over my back. Mostly higher up, but some all the way down on my buttocks. I always thought they were acne, because I could "pop" them (mostly getting clear fluid). But they itched like crazy (I'd have trouble leaving them alone in class or at work), hurt (kind of a burning feeling almost) to scratch or pop. And they seem to take forever to heal; scabbing up and scarring.
When I went gluten-free, the itchy bumps mostly stopped. I still get some when I slip up, and I still get some that are just not as itchy or widespread. They're still taking forever to heal. I don't really have any active "bumps", but I thought I'd send a picture anyway to see if the DH experts in this forum could tell me if it might plausibly be (mild) DH? Here's a picture of part of my back showing the rash/acne/whatever:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/c1xdrVCuavwwJCJFbhE6RujekP5CxI4Lm0Ltid6c2M66=w1176-h1566-no
Another question... I would still love to have a formal diagnosis, to make it easier to explain to people (including my family). Is it important for a DH biopsy to be consuming significant gluten for a long period of time? Or... if I have another slip up and develop some more active bumps, would a dermatologist have a chance of diagnosing if I got to them quickly enough?
Thanks for your help!
-Dave