NATIONAL COELIAC DERMATITIS HERPETIFORMIS DAY

Early day motion 1142, tabled 6 May 2004 by Howard Stoate (Labour). Signed by 53 members.

That this House supports the national Coeliac Dermatitis Herpetiformis day and its aims of raising awareness; notes that dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a rare and often mis-diagnosed skin condition with a UK incidence of approximately 1 in 15,000 and which often results in the person also having coeliac disease, a disorder of the bowel; notes that DH may be present at any age but most commonly begins between the ages of 15 and 40, is slightly more common in males than in females at a ratio of 3 to 2, and main symptoms include an intensely itchy rash consisting of small red spots and blisters commonly affecting the elbows, knees, scalp and back; and calls on the Government to improve diagnosis as well as food labelling laws to facilitate patients who are living on a gluten-free diet.

Signatures by party: Labour 30, Liberal Democrat 11, Conservative 3, DUP 2, Labour/Co-operative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 2, Scottish National Party 1.