Gluten-free Diet & Dermatitis

The term "gluten" refers to a group of storage proteins found in plants, including wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn and rice. Most people can safely ingest glutens from edible plants, but individuals with specific health conditions, including wheat allergies or celiac disease, can have significant skin reactions if they ingest these proteins. Dermatitis is a general medical term used to describe any type of skin inflammation.

The Basics

A gluten-free diet can help you avoid dermatitis that results from an immune response caused by a wheat allergy or an autoimmune response secondary to celiac disease. In fact, a gluten-free diet is the only effective treatment for celiac disease. Dermatitis herpetiformis, sometimes called celiac disease of the skin, is a complication of celiac disease that responds well to a gluten-free diet.

Wheat Allergy Dermatitis

If you have a wheat allergy and ingest a product made from wheat, you may develop dermatitis that includes an itchy rash, swelling or hives. In some cases, these skin reactions are early signs of a life-threatening allergy called anaphylaxis. Get medical help immediately if you notice a rash from wheat. A gluten-free diet eliminates all foods made with wheat, rye or barley. Sticking with a gluten-free diet will help you avoid dermatitis from a wheat allergy, but it is unnecessarily restrictive if you aren't allergic to rye or barley products. Instead, eliminate wheat-based foods from your meals and snacks.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis

If you have celiac disease and continue to eat gluten-laden foods, you may develop dermatitis herpetiformis. This condition causes a distinctive itchy rash that includes clusters of small solid bumps and/or fluid-filled bumps on your back, scalp, elbows, knees or buttocks. If you're a male, you may notice a rash on your genitals and in your mouth. Although your doctor can prescribe ointments that relieve burning or itching from the dermatitis, the only way to prevent more skin inflammation is to stick with a gluten-free diet.

Gluten-Free Diet

A gluten-free diet excludes all breads, pastas, cereals, cookies, cakes, crackers and other baked goods made from wheat, rye or barley. Although it's relatively easy to identify products such as rye bread, barley or pancakes as gluten products, gluten is hidden in many less obvious foods. Learn to read labels carefully to avoid gluten in sausages, soups, dressings, gravies, sauces, candies, self-basting turkeys and lunch meats. Watch for food additives, such as modified food starch, made from forbidden grains.