Dermatitis herpetiformis

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), or Duhring's disease, is a chronic blistering skin condition, characterised by blisters filled with a watery fluid. Despite its name, DH is not related to or caused by herpes virus: the name means that it is a skin inflammation having an appearance similar to herpes. DH was first described by Dr. Louis Duhring in 1884. A connection between DH and gluten intolerance (coeliac disease) was recognised in 1967, although the exact causal mechanism is not known. The age of onset is usually about 15-40, but DH can also affect children and the elderly. Men and women are equally affected. Estimates of DH prevalence vary from 1 in 400 to 1 in 10000. Dermatitis herpetiformis is characterized by intensely itchy,...