Final answer:
Dermatitis herpetiformis is an itchy, blistering skin rash that is the key symptom of Celiac Disease manifesting in the skin. Both the skin condition and the intestinal disorder are triggered by gluten consumption, and the immune response leads to inflammation in the small intestine and a rash on the skin in response to gluten. Both conditions require a gluten-free diet for management.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dermatitis herpetiformis is highly associated with
Celiac Disease
, which is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the small intestine. When an individual with Celiac Disease consumes gluten, their immune system responds abnormally, causing inflammation and damage to the small intestine.
Dermatitis herpetiformis presents as an extremely itchy, blistering skin rash and is often the only symptom of Celiac Disease on the skin. The same gluten ingestion that triggers the intestinal symptoms of Celiac Disease also lead to Dermatitis herpetiformis. It is believed that the antibodies produced in response to gluten deposit in the skin and cause the noted lesions and intense itching associated with this condition.
The pathophysiology of both conditions relates to each other in the sense that they both result from an abnormal immune response that is triggered by gluten consumption. Thus, both conditions are managed by following a strict gluten-free diet. In addition to this, dapsone, a medication, can be used to control the skin symptoms of Dermatitis herpetiformis.
Learn more about Dermatitis herpetiformis and Celiac Disease