Dermatological Diseases Related to Intestinal Celiac Disease

What Is Intestinal Celiac Disease?

The immune reaction happens due to sensitive enteropathy when people eat gluten-rich food such as wheat, barley, or rye. Every time a person with celiac disease eats a food enriched with gluten, it triggers a chain of reactions in the small intestine. With time, these reactions permanently damage the lining (villi) of the intestine, which further causes complications such as malabsorption. This complication is caused due to damage to the villi. As the damage is caused, it also affects the absorption capacity of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients a body gets from the food.

What Are the Causes of Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease’s etiology is not known. However, many factors cause the condition. For instance, in some cases, genetic inheritance seems to affect the condition. On the other hand, gluten allergy can affect the condition too. The following are the other contributing factors affecting the occurrence of this condition:

• Infant-feeding practice.

• Gastrointestinal infections.

• Gut bacteria.

• Surgery.

• Pregnancy.

• Childbirth.

• Emotional stress.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Celiac Disease?

The followings are the signs and symptoms associated with celiac disease:

• Diarrhea.

• Fatigue.

• Weight loss.

• Bloating.

• Gas.

• Abdominal pain.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Constipation.

• Mouth ulcers.

• Anemia.

• Loss of bone density.

• Headache.

• Joint pain.

What Are the Complications Associated With Celiac Disease?

The following complications are associated with celiac disease:

• Malnutrition: As the small intestine loses its capacity to absorb nutrition, this complication occurs. Due to this, the patient might have to face complications such as anemia and weight loss. Moreover, the children might face complications such as retarded growth and short stature.

• Bone Weakening: Due to damaged intestine lining, vitamin D and calcium malabsorption can lead to these complications. In children, this condition can further cause complications such as osteoporosis, where they lose bone density.

• Infertility: Insufficient calcium and vitamin absorption also lead to complications related to the reproductive system.

• Lactose Intolerance: The damaged intestinal lining and lactose allergy can cause frequent and recurrent diarrhea or stomach problems in patients. People with these complications cannot digest dairy products such as milk or cheese.

• Cancer: People with this condition have a higher chance of developing intestinal lymphoma or small bowel cancer.

• Nervous System Problems: There is a relation between this condition and its nerve system problems.For instance, people might have seizures or peripheral neuropathy with this complication.

What Are the Dermatological Diseases Related to Celiac Disease?

The following are the dermatological diseases related to celiac disease:

Dermatitis Herpetiformis: Almost 15 percent of people get this side effect after having celiac disease. Another name for this condition is “celiac rash” or “gluten rash”. Patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) might have the disease, but it is possible that they might not have symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, or weight loss. It is a condition causing skin inflammation. The symptoms of this condition are usually seen around the knees, elbows, buttocks, hairline, and scalp. In addition, it is not contagious.

• Causes: It is a chronic condition caused by a gluten allergy. Usually, people with this condition show an allergic reaction to products such as wheat, rye, or barley. Moreover, an autoimmune condition such as this runs in the family.

• Symptoms: The following are the symptoms associated with this condition:

  1. Blisters.

  2. Rashes.

  3. Itchiness of the skin.

  4. Discolored bumps.

  5. Pitting on the teeth.

  6. Horizontal grooves on the teeth.

  7. Canker sores.

• Diagnosis: The following are the diagnosis options for this condition:

  1. Physical Examination: The condition has some distinguished features on the body which help diagnose this condition. Only after careful evaluation of this step, the doctor will move to the next step.

  2. Skin Biopsy: During this diagnostic step, a skin sample is taken to check for the presence of the condition.

  3. Blood Test: In celiac disease, two antibodies are found: anti-endomysial and anti-tissue transglutaminase. With this diagnostic step, the condition is confirmed with the confirmation of these antibodies.

• Management: The following are the management options for this condition:

  1. Diet: As the condition causes the allergic reaction, making changes in diet by avoiding gluten can help with the symptoms.

  2. Medications: Oral antibiotics such as dapsone can help relieve the symptoms such as itching on the skin.

Atopic Dermatitis: It is a chronic skin condition caused by damage to the epithelial barrier of the skin due to immunological reactions. This condition usually affects children. It is a condition that causes dry and itchy skin.

• Causes: The condition is caused by the following factors:

  1. Irritants.

  2. Allergens.

  3. Tobacco smoke.

  4. Bacteria.

• Symptoms: The following are the symptoms associated with this condition:

  1. Dry and cracked skin.

  2. Oozing and crusting.

  3. Darkening of the skin around the eyes.

  4. Itchiness.

  5. Raised bumps.

  6. Sensitive skin.

• Management: The following are the management options for this condition:

  1. Use a gentle soap.

  2. Moisturize the skin daily after the bath.

  3. Take a shower daily.

  4. Pat dry the skin.

Psoriasis: It is a skin condition causing scaly patches on knees, scalp, or elbows. This is a chronic condition that has no cure. However, with proper care, the symptoms can be managed. Sometimes the condition represents very painful symptoms that can interfere with a person’s routine.

• Causes: It is an immune disorder that causes abnormal growth of skin cells.

• Symptoms: The following are the symptoms associated with this condition:

  1. Patchy rashes.

  2. Purple taches.

  3. Dry and cracked skin that may bleed to scratch.

  4. Itching sensation.

  5. Burning sensation.

  6. Cyclic rashes appear again after subsiding.

Chronic Ulcerative Stomatitis of Oral Mucosa: It is an immune-mediated disorder causing ulceration in the oral mucosa. The condition often affects middle-aged women with the resemblance of oral lichen planus. The condition affects the buccal mucosa, gingiva, and tongue.

• Causes: The following are the etiological factors affecting this condition:

  1. Infection.
  2. Irritants.
  3. Drinking alcohol.
  4. Trauma.
  5. Allergic reactions. `

• Symptoms: The following are the symptoms associated with this condition:

  1. White or yellow layered ulcers on the lip, cheek, gum, or tongue.

  2. Burning sensation in the mouth.

  3. Dehydration.

  4. Swelling of gums.

  5. Redness at the site.

• Management: The following are the management options for this condition:

  1. Medications are given depending on the cause and diagnosis. For instance, for viral stomatitis, antiviral medications are given.

  2. Medications such as acetaminophen or lidocaine can help with the pain due to this condition.

  3. Dexamethasone to relieve inflammation.

Conclusion

Celiac disease is a condition that is associated with many complications. However, even with the unknown cause, some diagnostic options can help identify its complications. Once doctors carefully diagnose the condition, it can be managed with the regular follow-up suggested by doctors.