blackcatinthesky

Hello,

For the last month and a half I have had a horribly itchy rash. It started on my legs, then moved to knees, thighs, arms, back, butt, neck, hairline, and chest. The most itchy and affected areas are the backs of my elbows, my knees and my "bottom".

I went to 2 different walk in clinics, both gave me various mild prescription cortisone creams which had no effect and the rash continued to spread and dominate. I went to the emergency room and 2 doctors examined me, both stumped. So they sent me straight away to a dermatologist. He and his resident were both also stumped by the mystery rash. He prescribed antihistamines and the strongest steroid cream, and neither medication helped.

Now, the rashs' appearance: actually blisters. Tiny clusters of blisters that pop when scratched. There is no accompanying illness nor fever. I have not changed my habits in any way in the last few months EXCEPT for I started jogging daily last month. I don't know if it has any relation, but that is the only lifestyle change that happened.

I have never had any allergies. However, celiac disease does run in the family as my grandmother and my aunt both have it. The dermatologist took a tissue biopsy suspecting I might have Dermititis Herpetiformis, a rare disease linked to celiac (both involve gluten intolerance). The description and the photos that I have found on the internet match my rash EXACTLY.

While waiting for the test results, I decided to try not eating gluten. I did this for 4 days and in that time I noticed a difference in the itchiness of the rash. It went from a 10 on the scale down to a 5 or 6. Then I got the test results back. "Results not typical of Dermititis Herpetiformis"... in other words it was negative. So now, I am taking 10 days worth (at a very high dosage) of Prednisone oral steroid which the doctor said will kill the rash. Then when its gone, I guess we start the allergy scratch tests.

My questions are these, for anyone willing to listen or help:

- Are these tissue biopsies which check for antibodies in the skin always 100% or is there a chance it is a false negative test result?

- Would sudden physical activity such as jogging for 25 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 2 or 3 weeks straight cause such a rash? (It does not look or sound like heat rash, acne, or prickly heat descriptions or photos)

- It has already been confirmed these are not bites from insects or mites, but that this is a systemic rash most likely from something I ingested. But I've never experienced something so itchy on 90% of my body, and for such an extended period of time. Does anyone have any other suggestions I should look into?

Your time and suggestions are very much appreciated!!

Thanks