With celiac disease, thesmall intestineis the target of the assault.
Dermatitis herpetiformis is an extension of the disease in which the skin is attacked.
This gallery of images can help you identify the signs and symptoms of dermatitis herpetiformis.
Dermnet/Creative Commons
Onset of Symptoms
Dermatitis herpetiformis develops suddenly and can last for weeks to months.
Outbreaks can occur within hours or days of eating gluten.
Sensations
A dermatitis herpetiformis rash can be intensely itching and is often accompanied by a burning sensation.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
During outbreaks, a person may be unable to resist scratching.
In the majority of cases, the outbreaks will occur on the same part of the body every time.
Note the symmetrical presentation of the rash.
BallenaBlanca / Creative Commons
Dermatitis herpetiformis isn’t the only skin condition linked to celiac disease.
Eczemaa condition common in children but also seen in adultsmay be associated with both celiac disease andnon-celiac gluten sensitivity.
However, dermatitis herpetiformis has the strongest link to celiac disease of any skin condition.
Dermnet / Creative Commons
All told, between 15% to 25% of people with celiac disease also have dermatitis herpetiformis.
If you’ve been diagnosed with dermatitis herpetiformis, you almost certainly have celiac disease.
Dermatitis herpetiformis is more common in males, unlike celiac disease which isdiagnosed more often in females.
BallenaBlanca / Creative Commons
In fact, some studies suggest that males are twice as likely to have dermatitis herpetiformis than females.
There has been relatively little research done on the health risks associated with dermatitis herpetiformis.
With the biopsy, a small sample of skin is removed for evaluation in the lab.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Your healthcare provider may also order a biopsy of the small intestine to confirm if celiac disease is involved.
How Dermatitis Herpetiformis Is Treated
Currently, the only long-term treatment for dermatitis herpetiformis is agluten-free diet.
For this reason, dapsone is used sparingly to help bring the rash under control.
Between 15% and 25% of people with celiac disease have dermatitis herpetiformis.
Severe cases can cause scarring and ongoing redness.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Antiga E, Caproni M.The diagnosis and treatment of dermatitis herpetiformis.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol.
doi:10.7759/cureus.26243
Celiac Disease Foundation.Dermatitis Herpetiformis.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Dermatitis herpetiformis.
