Gluten sensitivity is also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy or celiac disease, a disorder that occurs when your body has an autoimmune reaction to gluten. This disorder manifests in a range of symptoms and levels of severity. Some people with celiac disease experience rashes that can be uncomfortable and disfiguring.
Symptoms
In children, gluten sensitivity often causes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or abdominal pain. In adults, the most frequent symptom is anemia because of the inability to absorb nutrients. Dermatitis herpetiformis and urticaria are rashes associated with gluten-sensitive enteropathy.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin disorder that occurs in some but not all of those with gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Less than 10 percent of these people break out in this intensely itchy rash, which typically affects the back, knees, elbows and buttocks, according to the American Family Physician website. The lesions resemble those of herpes but are related to the disease in name only. Dermatitis herpetiformis lesions may form blisters and become crusted over. It is chronic and persists for a long time, according to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Urticaria
Urticaria is more commonly known as hives. It manifests as itchy, red raised areas of skin. Urticaria is usually an allergic reaction to some substance to which someone has an immune sensitivity. Those with gluten-sensitive enteropathy may experience urticaria. In 2006, the “Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology” published a case study involving a 24-year-old woman with a history of urticaria and gastrointestinal symptoms. After being diagnosed with celiac disease, she went on a gluten-free diet, and her symptoms disappeared.
Treatment
The treatment for gluten-sensitive enteropathy is simple to understand but more challenging to undergo. To recover from gluten sensitive enteropathy, you must abstain from all sources of gluten. Gluten is in wheat, rye and barley, as well as foods derived from them. Even small amounts of gluten can cause damage, so it is vital that you eliminate all gluten sources from your diet if you wish to avoid symptoms. A registered dietitian can help you devise an eating plan that eliminates gluten while offering complete nutrition.
Although it may seem difficult, adapting to a gluten-free lifestyle should end your symptoms and your suffering.
References
- American Family Physician; Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy (Celiac Disease): More Common Than You Think; David A. Nelson; December 2002
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Celiac Disease
- "Cases Journal"; Sero-Negative Celiac Disease With Dermatitis Herpetiformes: A Case Report; Mehreen Adhi, et al.; May 2009
- "Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology"; Chronic urticaria: A Cutaneous Manifestation of Celiac Disease; Jessica Haussmann, et al.; April 2006
- MedlinePlus: Dermatitis Herpetiformis
