The treatment for DH is a life-long gluten free diet. Although this is effective in the long-term, it can take an average of two years for it to take full effect, so drug treatment may also be recommended to begin with. The most commonly prescribed drug for DH is Dapsone. This will help control the itching and development of blisters, although the rash will come back if you stop taking it before the gluten free diet has taken effect.
For further information, please download our pdf on Dermatitis Herpetiformis.
As with coeliac disease, DH is also associated with an increased risk of other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease or Type 1 diabetes. The complications that occur in coeliac disease can also occur in DH: these include osteoporosis and certain types of small bowel cancer. Once you have been following the gluten free diet for some time, the risk of osteoporosis is reduced and the risk of cancer becomes the same as someone who doesn’t have coeliac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis.
This information is for guidance only and should not replace advice given by your medical professional
Support your charity – the only not-for-profit supporting Kiwis with coeliac disease. Become part of Coeliac New Zealand now.
Volunteering is a great way to grow your community and share your knowledge with others.
Find out how.
Help us reach more people who are suffering from coeliac disease. Contribute to the greater good of your community.
We are always on the look-out for passionate people interested in raising funds and building awareness about coeliac disease
Coeliac disease is treated by a life-long gluten free diet. By specifically removing the cause of the disease, this treatment allows all abnormalities to recover completely. As long as the diet is adhered to strictly, patients can recover.
An initial few weeks on both a gluten/lactose free diet will allow the bowel lining to replace its 'lactase' enzyme quantities, which digest lactose sugar prior to absorption. This may take longer for some individuals than others.
About Coeliac New Zealand
Your partner in
healthy living
Coeliac New Zealand is available throughout your journey. As part of our community, you’ll get support, advice, and assistance. We work with health professionals, manufacturers, and researchers to raise awareness of coeliac disease in NZ.
Together, we can reach a day when every person with coeliac disease gets diagnosed quickly, lives a healthy life, and has the prospect of a cure.
This year marks our organisation's 50th anniversary, which is an occasion worth commemorating. A lot has changed in that time, but Coeliac New Zealand's vision remains the same: that people with coeliac disease live healthy lives every day. We raise awareness about coeliac disease and educate others so people with coeliac disease can be included and […]
Coeliac New Zealand is delighted to partner with the Celiac Disease Foundation to set up a New Zealand Patient Registry on our website. https://coeliac.org.nz/patient-registry/ Who is the Celiac Disease Foundation? The Celiac Disease Foundation, established in 1990, is a leading global patient advocacy organisation committed to accelerating diagnosis, treatments, and a cure for coeliac disease. […]
When a child is diagnosed with coeliac disease, it is common for parents to experience a range of emotions. These can include fear, overwhelm and powerlessness. Some parents may also experience relief at finally knowing the cause of their child’s symptoms. Even as your child reaches adulthood, or when they are diagnosed as a young […]