Gluten Free Society Blog

Psoriasis and Gluten Sensitivity

Psoriasis is a Symptom of Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity

Skin disease is common in those with gluten sensitivity. The most commonly seen skin affliction is called dermatitis herpetiformis.

Scientists at the Medical University of Silesia in Poland decided to find out whether or not antibodies for celiac disease could be found in the blood of those with psoriasis. They already knew that psoriasis was seen in some patients that had celiac disease without symptoms (called non-celiac gluten sensitivity) plus the fact that a remission could be seen in the psoriasis with a gluten-free diet. A remission of the psoriasis could even be seen in those who had had psoriasis for years.

The researchers took blood serum samples from 67 patients with psoriasis as well as serum from healthy people without the disease. They looked for antibodies against transglutaminase enzyme and against gliadin. They found that patients with psoriasis had higher antibody levels of both transglutaminase and gliadin for IgA. Both of these correlated with psoriasis activity.

The Polish researchers concluded that these results imply that there is an association between psoriasis and celiac disease / gluten intolerance without the symptoms.

Source:

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, Sept 2008; Vol. 22, No. 9, 1055-61.

Gluten Free Society’s Stance:

Someone with gluten sensitivity doesn’t always manifest symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea that are commonly associated with celiac disease.

Psoriasis is just one more of the skin manifestations of gluten sensitivity.

Each year, millions of people visit their doctor with rashes of all types. Many of them are sent home with corticosteroid creams that do little for the rash.

After reading this research study, we now know that dermatologists can solve some of the cases of rashes just by recommending a grain-free diet. A gluten-free diet usually eliminates rye, wheat and barley, but a true gluten free/grain-free diet eliminates all grains.

Do you have psoriasis or any other type of ‘mysterious’ skin disorder that has not responded to traditional medical treatment or to a standard gluten free diet (wheat, barley, and rye elimination)? If so, consider eliminating all grains and see what happens!