What’s Causing Your Rash?

Sometimes a skin rash is actually a reaction to a specific food rather than to a chemical irritant. For instance, celiac disease is an allergy to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It can cause symptoms like a painful, itchy breakout.

That itchy rash you suffer may not be a skin allergy but dermatitis herpetiformis, chronic rash consisting of papules and vesicles. The condition is associated with celiac disease (CD), a sensitivity of the gluten foods in the diet. Dermatitis herpetiformis (also called Duhring’s disease) usually begins in early adulthood (sometimes in kid’s), striking both men and women with extremely itchy areas on the elbows, knees, back. In most cases, the breakout patterns are symmetrical and outbreaks come go rather than remaining a constant presence.

If you suspect that your skin woes may have a dietary cause, ask for a skin biopsy and direct immunofluorescence test. If the results are positive, you can take an antibiotic for relief as well as adopting a gluten-free diet. Adherence to this diet may eliminate the need for medications and prevent later complications.