Among the numerous possible symptoms of gluten sensitivity is a painful, itchy skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis. The rash, usually appearing after age 20, affects men and women. While all people suffering from dermatitis herpetiformis have celiac disease -- an autoimmune gluten intolerance -- not all people with gluten intolerance experience the rash. The only treatment is a 100 percent gluten-free diet.
Features
Dermatitis herpetiformis features tiny blistering red bumps that, when scratched, burst and crust over. The most common sites for the rash are the knees, elbows, buttocks, back of the neck and scalp, but almost any part of the skin may be affected. Your doctor performs a skin biopsy to positively diagnose the rash as dermatitis herpetiformis.
Gluten Connection
People with dermatitis herpetiformis have celiac disease, an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the villi of the small intestine after you consume gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. For many people, celiac disease manifests as digestive distress. Only about 20 percent of people with dermatitis herpetiformis also have intestinal symptoms, reports Danna Korn, author of the book “Living Gluten Free for Dummies.” Dermatitis herpetiformis is an external expression of celiac disease; cutting out any trace of gluten should bring relief.
Other Skin Rashes
You can develop other skin conditions due to celiac disease or undiagnosed gluten intolerance. Psoriasis, a severe form of eczema characterized by itchy, dry patches of skin, is another potential symptom of gluten sensitivity. Because gluten intolerance can cause malabsorption of nutrients essential to hormone production and regulation, gluten sensitivity may also cause acne. Malabsorption may be responsible for severely dry skin, which can be extremely uncomfortable.
Considerations
Gluten intolerance, which affects an unknown number of people, differs from celiac disease in that no permanent damage to the small intestine occurs after consuming gluten. You may still experience digestive distress, dry skin, eczema or acne in response to consuming gluten; however. If you rule out gluten sensitivity or celiac disease as a cause for your rash, talk to your doctor about a potential wheat allergy, which can also manifest as a skin rash.
References
- PubMed Health: Dermatitis Herpetiformis
- Celiac.com; Five Common Skin Conditions Associated With Celiac Disease; Kristen Campbell; February 2010
- The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center: What Are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease?
- American Celiac Disease Alliance: What is Celiac Disease?
- "Living Gluten Free for Dummies"; Danna Korn; 2006
