When we talk about Vitiligo and Celiac disease we refer to two important autoimmune diseases. This means that those affected by these pathologies are genetically predisposed to the formation of antibodies against their own tissues.
Celiac disease
In the case of Celiac disease, the antibodies are directed against the intestinal mucosa. By doing so, they trigger an inflammatory reaction. Symptoms associated with celiac disease are, for example, diarrhea, bloating, cramps. Furthermore, there is often a loss of weight in the subject affected by this pathology.
Vitiligo
In the case of Vitiligo, on the other hand, the autoimmune reaction has the skin as its final goal. So the specific target is the melanocyte. That is the cell that produces the melanin pigment. Which allows us to defend ourselves from ultraviolet radiation.
This type of autoimmune reaction is usually caused by an element of an environmental or psychosomatic nature.
Vitiligo and Celiac disease compared
The main difference between Vitiligo and Celiac disease is given by the trigger.
In fact, in the case of Celiac disease, the reaction is triggered by the sensitivity towards gluten (vitiligo and gluten). A protein contained in wheat, barley and rye. This activates a specific substance which is responsible for damage to the intestinal mucosa.
While in the case of Vitiligo, as we have already seen, the causes are of an environmental or psychosomatic nature.
The two pathologies can be associated. Association of 1.7% according to statistics.
However, Celiac disease involves specific skin manifestations which are called herpetiform dermatitis. They are characterized by the appearance of itchy redness, plaques, blisters and vesicles. However, they have nothing in common with the characteristic symptom of Vitiligo, namely the white patches.
Consequently, we can say that what these two pathologies have in common is the predisposition on the part of the affected person to present an autoimmune reaction. However, the coexistence of both diseases in the same person is mostly a statistic.
Possible treatments
Vitiligo and celiac disease what to do?
Therefore, based on the etiopathogenesis of both these pathologies, the treatment will obviously be different. In fact, speaking of two different pathologies, the therapies will be different.
In the case of Celiac disease, the therapy is aimed at eliminating the presence of gluten from one’s diet.
While in the case of Vitiligo a stimulation of the melanocytes is carried out through the use of ultraviolet rays. In fact they are the natural stimulus to the production of melanin.
