People who have coeliac disease or are gluten intolerant should be aware that they could be at greater risk of developing certain skin disorders.
That’s the advice from Professor Nicola Ralph, consultant dermatologist, who highlights the association between coeliac disease and the skin condition dermatitis herpetiformis, both of which are triggered by gluten.
Other skin conditions that people with untreated coeliac disease can develop include forms of eczema, psoriasis, acne, chronic dry skin, hives, and alopecia areata.
“Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition and some people who have coeliac disease can also be at higher risk of developing other autoimmune conditions – including certain skin conditions. Dermatitis herpetiformis would be one of those because of the shared link the conditions have to an allergy to gluten. Others include eczema, psoriasis, acne, chronic dry skin, hives, and alopecia areata.
“It is important for people to be aware of that risk and what may be causing their skin condition – but also to know how to treat and manage these conditions. That’s what we’ll be advising them on at the Gluten Free Living Show,” Prof Ralph said.
Coeliac disease is a lifelong condition where someone’s immune system attacks their own tissues and damages their gut when they eat gluten. Around 50,000 people in Ireland have the condition, although only around 13,000 have been properly diagnosed. The only treatment for coeliac disease is a strict gluten free diet for life.
Dermatitis herpetiformis is an intensely itchy skin disease. It is caused by a sensitivity to gluten and presents in the form of clusters of small blisters and small bumps on the skin.
Up to 15-25 percent of patients with coeliac disease may develop dermatitis herpetiformis therefore it is vital that they adhere to gluten free diet to improve their symptoms to avoid the need for chronic use of medications.
