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Rashes/Skin
Problems
There are a number of skin problems associated with Gluten Sensitivity:
Contents:
Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH)
Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic inflammatory disease that produces lesions that burn and itch intensely. The lesions are red and may be slightly raised (papular), form small pus-filled areas (pustules), or there may be blisters (vesicles). Wide patches or small single points may be affected. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is generally reported as associated with other autoimmune conditions (Diabetes, Thyroid, Celiac).
Most of the better “Celiac Disease” sites are really “Celiac Disease and Dermatitis Herpetiformis” sites. DH is the best-known case of a disease other than Celiac Disease that is cured by the Gluten Free Diet. Yet most cases are misdiagnosed, especially the milder cased. Most people could mistake early or mild DH as acne, strep blisters, or even mild chicken pox. With DH, tiny clear or white filled blisters or red spots around hair follicles form rapidly, singly or in groups. They can be surprisingly painful or itchy for such small spots. While DH blisters might look like acne pimples, DH blisters actually form shallow in the skin while acne pimples form deeper in the base of the oil glands.
Earlier recognition of Dermatitis Herpetiformis in mild stages would lead to earlier treatment of gluten intolerance and Celiac Disease.
Study Guide: Look for descriptions of Dermatitis Herpetiformis on most any Celiac Disease web site.
Psoriasis
Eczema
Psoriasis and Eczema both do have some resemblance to severe Dermatitis Herpetiformis, and both have at least some association with Celiac Disease and gliadin anti-bodies. The Gluten Free Diet is gaining a reputation as one diet that actually has some good results in treating Psoriasis and Eczema.
In 2002 and 2004, two studies demonstrated that the stronger the reactions are to gliadin, the worse the symptoms are for psoriasis.[1][2] (Thanks to Celiac.com for the tip.) Therefore, psoriasis patients who would like to reduce their symptoms, should consider testing for gluten sensitivity, and should give the gluten free diet a good try, even if the tests are negative.
Which is better, a drug with side effects that just reduced the symptoms of psoriasis and leaves the Celiac Disease untreated, or a gluten free diet that treats both the psoriasis and the gluten sensitivity?
Dry or Scaly Skin
Excessively dry or scaly skin can be developed as a symptom of gluten intolerance. Vitamin A and E are important to skin heath, but may well be deficient because of the combination of inflammation and malabsorption (See also The Basics). Fatty acids needed to make skin oils may also be deficient because of malabsorption.
See also Sjogren's Syndrome or Palmoplantar Pustulosis.
Acne
Vitamin A and other anti-oxidants are necessary for skin health. Severe acne is sometimes treated with Vitamin A supplements, suggesting that malabsorption of Vitamin A may contribute to acne. Celiacs can likely be malabsorbing Vitamin A and thus be deficient. Celiacs may have considerable internal inflammation from autoimmune injuries as well as intestinal inflammation cause by malabsorption. Vitamin A is consumed in controlling inflammation. Celiacs need more Vitamin A. It is therefore logical to consider that Celiacs can be deficient in Vitamin A and that chronic acne can be a symptom of undiagnosed gluten intolerance. So, treating acne with high doses of Vitamin A runs one of two risks, toxicity from taking too much Vitamin A if the person is not an undiagnosed Celiac or malabsorption and autoimmune injury from being an undiagnosed Celiac
Mild Dermatitis Herpetiformis could also be mistaken for acne.
Split Heels/Heel Fissures
Split heels can sometimes be successful treated with Vitamin A supplements. For the same reasons as those given above for acne, a case of chronic split heels could suggest suspicion of either malabsorption from undiagnosed gluten intolerance or malnutrition.
Follicular Keratosis
Descriptions of other Celiac related Skin Problems to be added here.
Palmoplantar Pustulosis (PPP)
Palmoplantar Pustulosis (PPP) is a common chronic skin disease, which is very resistant to treatment.[3] PPP is characterized by pustules within the skin layers that are not caused by any infection (but, chronic opportunistic infection may be present to mislead a doctor). PPP is also characterized by erythematous, which is scaly skin on the palms of the hands (palmo) and the soles of the feet (plantar).
In a study of PPP, it was found that 8% of the patients had celiac disease and 24% had IgA antibodies to gliadin.[4] This rate of anti-gliadin antibodies (AGA) to was determined by blood test so the rate of intestinal AGA would be higher.
It may yet be determined that PPP and psoriasis are really the same condition, or that PPP and DH are really the same condition, or all of the above.
PPP is very strongly but not absolutely associated with smoking, but smoking is also associated with self-medication for gluten intolerance symptoms, so...
At some point, I hope to look into what I see as similarities between PPP[5] and autoimmune associated migraine headaches at the basal vasodilatation level.
Hey, Calontir!