Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that is triggered by the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten proteins trigger inflammation in the intestinal tract and other parts of the body. This systemic inflammation can then contribute to the development of autoimmune disease and a host of other health issues.
Celiac disease is typically associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, but the truth is, celiac disease can affect many other systems in the body. Some of the key symptoms of celiac disease include the following:
- Chronic diarrhoea or constipation
- Weight loss
- Gas
- Pale, bad-smelling stool
- Unexplained low blood count that makes you feel tired (anaemia)
- Tingling, numb feeling in the legs
- Missed menstrual periods (linked to too much weight loss)
- Infertility
- Early osteoporosis or fractures
- Teeth changing colour or losing their enamel
- Stomach pain or swelling
- Muscle cramps or bone pain
- Pain in the joints
- Painful, itchy skin rash
Symptoms of non-celiac gluten sensitivity are similar to those associated with celiac disease.
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What is Celiac Rash?
Celiac rash, also called Dermatitis Herpetiformis, is an extraintestinal manifestation of gluten exposure. In other words, celiac rash is a symptom of celiac disease that happens outside of the intestines.
Dermatitis Herpetiformis causes skin lesions like papules (a small solid or cystic raised spot on the skin) and vesicles (a small fluid filled sac or cyst) typically on the elbows, knees, and buttocks. These lesions tend to cause intense itching and discomfort. While it can happen in children, dermatitis herpetiformis affects mostly adults, the mean age at onset is about 50 years.
Misdiagnosis and Similar Skin Conditions
It can be easy to misdiagnose celiac rash as another skin condition. This is because many people do not expect celiac disease to cause skin-related symptoms. In addition, celiac rash can look similar to other skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis.
While these conditions can look different, research has suggested a link between celiac disease and psoriasis, one study demonstrated an approximately 3-fold increased risk of celiac disease among patients with psoriasis. If diagnosed with either condition, it is worth exploring whether you might have the other condition.
Treatment Options for Celiac Rash
A gluten free diet is an absolute necessity for people who are experiencing celiac rash. It is important to be sure that you are following a true gluten free diet that eliminates all forms of gluten, not just the most commonly recognized forms of gluten. A traditional gluten free diet does not eliminate all forms of gluten and may not provide full relief from celiac rash. Let’s take a quick look at the main differences between the traditional gluten free diet and the true gluten free diet.
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Traditional gluten free diet
The traditional gluten free diet restricts wheat, barley, and rye as sources of gluten from the diet. Those following the traditional gluten free diet often find themselves consuming lots of processed gluten free foods made with alternative refined grains, inflammatory gums and stabilizers, sugars or sweeteners, and other artificial colours or flavours. These foods are largely comprised of corn, rice, and/or oats. They are highly processed, and contain large amounts of carbohydrate calories, but very low quantities of vitamins and minerals.
True gluten free diet
Since gluten is a mixture of proteins found in ALL grains, a true gluten free diet excludes ALL grains. This might seem contrary to mainstream advice, but the reality is, only a few types of gluten proteins (alpha gliadin, found in wheat, secalin found in rye, and hordein found in barley) have been studied extensively. The labelling laws around gluten are based on these forms of gluten protein, but fail to recognize all other forms of gluten.
Consult with a naturopath or healthcare professional for personalized guidance on detoxification and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Remember, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to environmental toxicity and its impact on our well-being.
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Prof Sundardas D Annamalay
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