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Damaged hair, brittle nails and skin issues are often
symptoms of celiac disease
Having healthy skin, hair and nails is something many people take for
granted; but if you suffer from an autoimmune condition like celiac
disease that impairs your nutritional intake, your experiences may be
very different. Hair loss, brittle nails and skin lesions are common
celiac disease symptoms. The health of all three structures – hair, skin
and nails –depends on your body getting good nutrition, yet multiple
studies have shown that people with celiac disease often lack many
essential nutrients, including vitamins D and E and minerals like copper
and zinc, all of which are critical for skin, hair and nail health.
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Several studies that have looked at the effects of celiac disease on
skin problems have found that once proper nutrition is established,
including adherence to a gluten-free diet, some symptoms may be
reversed. For instance, one study from researchers in Spain found
significant skin hypopigmentation (light spots) disappeared in one young
girl once a gluten-free diet was introduced. Several similar case
studies also exist, including some examining the association between
celiac disease and hair loss, demonstrating that introduction of a
gluten-free diet and nutritional supplementation resulted in regrowth of
hair.
Nutritional deficiencies aren’t the only link between celiac disease and
hair, nail and skin issues. Because celiac patients are more likely to
have other autoimmune disorders, hair loss may be attributed to alopecia
areata, an autoimmune disease that attacks hair follicles and typically
results in round patches of hair loss. Hashimoto’s disease, or
autoimmune thyroiditis, which also occurs more frequently in patients
with CD, often causes hair thinning as well as dry skin and fungal
infection of the nails. Likewise, itchy blistering of the skin can
indicate dermatitis herpetiformis, the skin manifestation of celiac
disease. And that’s just the beginning; celiac disease symptoms include
many skin disorders, including:
canker sores and other mouth sores
skin sores including ulcerative dermatitis
eczema
psoriasis
vasculitis of the skin
hives (uticaria)
Prurigo nodularis (Hyde’s prurigo)
vitiligo (light patches of skin)
What’s more, the inflammatory response and frequent hormonal
fluctuations that are side effects of celiac disease also can result in
hair loss, rough or itchy skin and brittle nails.
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With so many possibilities at play, understanding all of the underlying
issues that may cause problems with the skin, nails or hair can be
problematic. Working closely with a healthcare practitioner with
significant experience in diagnosing autoimmune disorders can help
ensure your diagnosis is comprehensive.
Getting the best nutrition possible is also critical. Many of today’s
supplements that claim to be ideal for CD patients may contain trace
amounts of gluten from the processing equipment they use. Even when
cross-contamination is not an issue, many supplements fail to use the
most highly absorbable forms of nutrients to ensure CD patients get the
most benefits possible.
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At GFT, our products were developed with a unique understanding of the
nutritional problems CD patients face, day in and day out, and the
challenging symptoms of celiac disease. For example, Body Health by
CeliVites was designed to support healthy hair, skin and nails with
adequate daily values of Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, E;
Biotin; folic acid; iodine; zinc; copper; selenium; PABA and choline. It
also means that when you choose CeliVites supplements, you can feel
confident the nutrition you’re getting isn’t just gluten-free – it’s
also the form that’s most absorbable by people with CD.
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