Treatment of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
A strict gluten-free diet must be followed, and usually, this treatment will be a lifelong requirement. Avoidance of gluten will reduce any associated intestinal damage and the risk of other complications.

Dapsone is an effective initial treatment in most people. Itching is typically reduced within 2–3 days, however, dapsone treatment has no effect on any intestinal damage that might be present. After some time on a gluten-free diet, the dosage of dapsone usually may be reduced or even stopped, although this may take many years. Dapsone is an antibacterial, and its role in the treatment of DH, which is not caused by bacteria, is poorly understood. It may cause adverse effects on the blood, so regular blood monitoring is required.

Dapsone is the drug of choice. For individuals with DH unable to tolerate dapsone for any reason, alternative treatment options may include the following:

colchicine
lymecycline
nicotinamide
tetracycline
sulfamethoxypyridazine
sulfapyridine