Dermatitis Herpetiformis is an autoimmune skin disease, related to coeliac disease. Both diseases are exacerbated by gluten containing foods. Gluten is a protein present in a number of foods and is generally very safe. However between 1 in 400 to 1 in 10000 people can be allergic to gluten, producing bowel symptoms (coeliac disease) and/or a blistering skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis).

The diagnosis of Dermatitis Herpetiformis is often quite difficult despite blood tests/ skin biopsy etc. It does need the eye of an astute Dermatologist to make a diagnosis. However treatment of the disease is quite easy with a  combination of gluten avoidance and a drug called dapsone.