LDN Social Media
Get connected with us on social networks
Successful Treatment of Adult-Onset Dermatitis Herpetiformis with Low Dose Naltrexone
Open Journal of Clinical and Medical Case Reports
August 2017
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319653170_Successful_treatment_of_adult-onset_dermatitis_herpetiformis_with_low_dose_naltrexone
Dermatitis herpetiformis can be refractory to a gluten free diet in up to 2% of patients. A celiac disease patient with diet refractory dermatitis herpetiformis was treated with low dose naltrexone. Randomized controlled trials showed that this short acting opioid antagonist is effective therapy in Crohn’s disease and fibromyalgia. The patient’s skin lesions were present for 2 years and went into complete remission within 3 months of taking naltrexone. We theorize that gluten-associated antigens activate long-lasting memory B-lymphocyte cells that produce autoimmune antibodies and this may perpetuate dermatitis herpetiformis. Endorphins produced via up-regulation by low dose naltrexone may reduce this B-cell activity.
Keywords: Refractory dermatitis, dermatitis, herpetiformis, naltrexone, celiac