The effect of gluten on skin and hair: a systematic review

Dermatol Online J. 2021 Apr 15;27(4):13030/qt2qz916r0.

Abstract

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is often clinically indistinguishable from celiac disease, and patients show improvement or resolution of their symptoms with a gluten-free diet. In contrast to celiac disease, the effects of gluten on the skin and hair in the context of non-celiac gluten sensitivity are not as clear. This review aims to describe the impact of gluten on the skin and hair in patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity and those without a definitive celiac disease diagnosis. A literature search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) reporting guidelines for systematic reviews. Forty-two publications met inclusion criteria with five studies describing the skin manifestations of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Trials identifying the impact of a gluten-free diet on skin disease, as well as dermatologic conditions and their associations with antigliadin antibodies were also identified. Dermatologic manifestations in patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity vary and may be non-specific. It may be appropriate for some of these patients with skin manifestations to trial a gluten-free diet. Dermatologic conditions that may respond positively to a gluten-free diet include psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and palmoplantar pustulosis, while linear IgA disease does not appear to improve with this dietary change.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies
  • Diet, Gluten-Free*
  • Gliadin / immunology
  • Glutens / adverse effects*
  • Glutens / pharmacology
  • Hair / pathology
  • Hair Diseases / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Diseases / etiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Glutens
  • Gliadin