Celiac disease and dermatologic manifestations: many skin clue to unfold gluten-sensitive enteropathy

Abstract

Cutaneous manifestations of intestinal diseases are increasingly reported both in the adult and in the children, and this association cannot longer be considered a simple random. Besides the well-known association between celiac disease (CD) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), considered as the cutaneous manifestation of gluten-dependent enteropathy, is more frequently reported also the association with other mucocutaneous diseases. Among these there are both autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory diseases, but also a more heterogeneous group called miscellaneous. The knowledge about pathogenic, epidemiological, clinical, and diagnostic aspects of CD is increasing in recent years as well as those about DH, but some aspects still remain to be defined, in particular the possible pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the association between both CD and DH and CD and other immunological skin diseases. The aim of this paper is to describe the skin diseases frequently associated with CD, distinguishing them from those which have a relationship probably just coincidental.

Figure 1

Erythematous, popular, and vesiculosus lesions in a patient with DH.

Figure 2

Erythematous scaly lesions of the buttocks in a patient affected by psoriasis.

Figure 3

AA of scalp, beard, eyelashes, and eyebrows in patient affected by CD.

Figure 4

Pink-to-red edematous lesions, that have pale centers localized on the back of a patient affected by urticaria.