Dermatitis Herpetiformis, A Trace Of Celiac Disease On The Skin?
Dermatitis Herpetiformis is a condition that affects the skin. It can be of an autoimmune and inflammatory nature. This pathology is characterized by the presence of chronic and reoccurring pruriginous skin lesions. This disease is considered to be a warning sign.
Several gastroenterologists believe that Dermatitis Herpetiformis outbreaks have to do with celiac disease. In this article by You Are Mom, we will share more details about Dermatitis Herpetiformis also known as Duhring’s Disease.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis and Sensitivity to Gluten
Duhring’s disease is known as an epidermal manifestation of a certain intolerance or sensitivity to gluten. This is why it has such a strong correlation with people who have celiac disease.
These rashes are present in up to 5% of the population with celiac disease. Specialists believe there is a close relationship between the two conditions as they share the same genetic base.
Symptoms of Dermatitis Herpetiformis
According to data collected by various celiac associations around the world, 90% of people with celiac disease and this skin condition do not present digestive symptoms after the intake of gluten. The only manifestation they present after the intake of gluten are these rashes.
Usually, patients who present this type of dermatitis experience their first symptoms around the age of 20. However, there have also been cases in children who begin suffering from the symptoms at an early age.
Researchers have also found that this condition mostly affects men. The reasons for this are still unknown. Dermatitis Herpetiformis has very low rates in women. However, a few cases have been reported.
Appearance, diagnosis and treatment
According to patients suffering from this disease, the vast majority agrees that it is extremely irritating. Dermatitis Herpetiformis can even cause wounds by the patients scratching itchy lesions.
This is because Duhring’s disease is usually localized in folds of skins. Elbows and knees are the most affected areas on the body.
There in the folds of skin, patients can have one or more eruptions of varying appearance. They could be concentrated together or spaced out.
Dermatitis Herpertiformis is a skin disease. There might be red patches, dry skin, blisters and severe itching. In order to reach a diagnosis of this condition a skin biopsy must be performed.
During this study they try to take samples of healthy epidermis. After getting the sample they analyze it for the presence of anti-tranglutaminase antibodies.
Once it has been determined that a patient presents this pathology, a simple treatment regime is indicated. This consists of carrying out a gluten free diet. This means the person would have to eliminate all products containing wheat, oats, barley and rye from their diet.
By strictly adhering to this no gluten diet, the blisters and skin eruptions should subside and later disappear. In addition, sometimes doctors indicate topical creams to help speed up the healing of wounds.
What are the possible complications?
Since this is an autoimmune pathology like celiac disease, this condition can have very serious complications. They must be considered since the warning signs are not visible to the untrained eye. The skin damage can be severe.
The inability to absorb nutrients from foods that contain gluten can also cause other health disorders. These are very serious disorders that a patient with celiac or Durhing’s disease have a higher risk of having.
Intestinal cancer and lymphoma are some of the possible complications. In order to avoid these risks, it is important to not only reach an early diagnosis but also to maintain a strict diet without TACC. The skin lesions can be practically imperceivable.
However, the consequences can be very serious and even lead to death in untreated cases. Celiac disease did not get the name “the silent disease” for nothing.
