What is a celiac rash? It is a rash caused by celiac disease. The
severe form of celiac disease is called dermatitis herpetiformis.
It is characterized by extreme itching and blistering of the skin. The other name for celiac rash is gluten rash. Not all people who have celiac disease have rashes. (1, 2, and 3)
It is characterized by extreme itching and blistering of the skin. The other name for celiac rash is gluten rash. Not all people who have celiac disease have rashes. (1, 2, and 3)
Celiac Rash Pictures
image source: img.webmd.com
picture 2: The rashes are raised and extremely itchy.
image source: stepwards.com
picture 3: The skin has rashes and blister formation.
image source: consultant360.com
image source: consultant360.com
image source: medscapestatic.com
Characteristics of celiac rash
- Extremely itchy rash
- The rash forms blisters on the skin
- The rash usually occurs on the elbows, knees, and buttocks.
- The rashes appear on both sides of the body (symmetrical).
- When the rash goes away, it leaves brown or pale marks on the skin. (3, 4, and 5)
Why patients with celiac disease have a sensitivity to gluten?
What is a gluten? It is a protein found in barley, rye, and grains wheat. If you have a celiac disease, the body responds differently to gluten intake. Your body will attack your small intestines and your immune system will attack your skin. Patients with sensitivity to gluten are strictly advised to follow a gluten-free diet. (2, 4, and 6)
Who gets celiac rash?
- About 25% of patients with celiac disease have rashes.
- Celiac rashes commonly affect men than women.
- It is common in adults. It rarely affects children. (1, 2, and 4)
How is celiac rash diagnosed?
The doctor will examine the cells under the topmost layer of the skin. The doctor will look for granular IgA and neutrophils. The doctor performs a biopsy of the skin. It is important to come up with an accurate diagnosis because the celiac rash is commonly mistaken for skin allergy, eczema, psoriasis, hives, contact dermatitis, and diabetic pruritus.
It is important to find a dermatologist who is expert in celiac rash because not all dermatologists are familiar with skin conditions linked with celiac disease. (2, 6, and 7)
It is important to find a dermatologist who is expert in celiac rash because not all dermatologists are familiar with skin conditions linked with celiac disease. (2, 6, and 7)
How is celiac rash treated?
A significant part of the celiac rash treatment is to be in a life-long gluten-free diet. It would take at least six months to see a significant improvement on the skin. As a matter of fact, it would take at least two years to see a significant improvement in the skin using the gluten-free diet alone.
There are certain drugs that can help improve the appearance of rashes. Dapsone helps alleviate itching of the skin. It would take 48 hours to 72 hours for the itching and rashes to subside. However, Dapsone alone does not treat an intestinal condition of patients with the Celiac disease.
Diet still plays an important role in the overall management of patients with celiac disease. Sticking with a gluten-free diet can be extremely difficult but it is the only proven way to prevent rashes and itching. Future outbreaks will be prevented if you strictly adhere to a gluten-free diet. (2, 5, 7, and 8)
Diet still plays an important role in the overall management of patients with celiac disease. Sticking with a gluten-free diet can be extremely difficult but it is the only proven way to prevent rashes and itching. Future outbreaks will be prevented if you strictly adhere to a gluten-free diet. (2, 5, 7, and 8)
References
- https://www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-disease/related-conditions/dermatitis-herpetiformis/
- https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/celiac-disease/ss/slideshow-celiac-overview
- https://www.coeliac.org.uk/coeliac-disease/about-coeliac-disease-and-dermatitis-herpetiformis/dermatitis-herpetiformis/
- https://www.verywell.com/dermatitis-herpetiformis-photos-562325
- https://www.healthline.com/health/dermatitis-herpetiformis
- https://celiac.org/celiac-disease/understanding-celiac-disease-2/dermatitis-herpetiformis/
- https://www.glutenfreetherapeutics.com/living-gluten-free/medicine-research/celiac-disease-affects-skin/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermatitis_herpetiformis
