From the Research
Yes, people can get dermatitis herpetiformis on the back of the wrist. Dermatitis herpetiformis is an intensely itchy, chronic skin condition characterized by clusters of small blisters and bumps that typically appear symmetrically on the elbows, knees, buttocks, back, and scalp. However, it can also affect other areas of the body including the back of the wrists. This condition is strongly associated with celiac disease and is triggered by gluten sensitivity.
Key Points to Consider
- The primary treatment involves a strict gluten-free diet, which can take several months to show improvement in skin symptoms 1.
- For immediate relief, dapsone (25-200 mg daily) is often prescribed to control the rash and itching, typically providing relief within 48-72 hours 1.
- Topical corticosteroids may also help manage symptoms.
- If you suspect dermatitis herpetiformis, it's essential to see a dermatologist for proper diagnosis, which often requires a skin biopsy from unaffected skin adjacent to a lesion to detect characteristic IgA deposits 1.
Diagnosis and Management
The diagnosis of dermatitis herpetiformis is confirmed by showing granular immunoglobulin A deposits in the papillary dermis 1. The treatment of choice for all patients is a gluten-free diet (GFD) in which uncontaminated oats are allowed 1. At onset, most patients need additional dapsone to rapidly control the rash and itching, but dapsone can be stopped after a mean of 2 years, and a strict lifelong GFD alone is required 1. Dietary adherence offers an excellent long-term prognosis for patients with DH, with a normal quality of life and all-cause mortality 1.