dermatitis herpetiformis, familial
Dermatitis herpetiformis is a rare, chronic, skin disorder characterized by groups of severely itchy blisters and raised skin lesions. These are more common on the knees, elbows, buttocks and shoulder blades. The slow onset of symptoms usually begins during adulthood, but children can also be affected. Other symptoms mayinclude fluid-filled sores; red lesions that resemble hives; and itchiness, rednessand burning. The exact cause of this disease is not known,but it is frequently associated with the inability to digest gluten. People with this disease are typically treated with the drug dapsone.