Dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin manifestation associated with which disease?

• A. Celiac disease
• B. Sarcoidosis
• C. Lupus nephritis
• D. Nephrolithiasis

Answer: (A)

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin manifestation tied to gluten-sensitive enteropathy, i.e., celiac disease. It results from IgA antibodies targeting epidermal transglutaminase that deposit in the dermal papillae, producing a pruritic, vesicular rash on extensor surfaces. Because of this autoimmune gluten sensitivity, many people with dermatitis herpetiformis also have evidence of celiac disease, and a strict gluten-free diet often improves both intestinal and skin findings, with medications like dapsone providing rapid symptomatic relief.

The other conditions listed don’t have this specific link. Sarcoidosis involves granulomas in various organs, lupus nephritis centers on immune complex kidney disease with possible skin involvement but not the characteristic dermatitis herpetiformis pattern, and nephrolithiasis refers to kidney stones with no connection to this IgA-mediated skin eruption.