Intestinal malabsorption and skin diseases.

Several skin manifestations were described in patients affected by intestinal disorders. The development of skin diseases in these patients could be related to the impairment of intestinal absorption and motility, other than to immunological and hormonal changes. The growing evidence of the association between skin disorders and intestinal diseases suggests that the skin could be considered the 'mirror of the gut'.

[The skin as a mirror of small intestine].

It is possible to observe the changes of intestinal functions, in particular absorbent, immunologic and hormonal ones, correlated to inside action of a pathogenic noxa, in the cutaneous district, thanks to clinico-dermatological manifestations. The most evident cutaneous pathologies are present in progress of inflammatory bowel diseases, however the most representative manifestations are present especially in progress of celiac disease. The importance of these associations leads to conclude that skin is the "mirror" of the small intestine, and that remembering it can be necessary for specialist and generalist in their clinical practice.

Rapid regression of psoriasis in a coeliac patient after gluten-free diet. A case report and review of the literature.

Background: Several skin disorders are present in patients affected by coeliac disease (CD) - among them, psoriasis has been described. However, at present the relationship between CD and psoriasis remains controversial since there are few and contrasting data on this topic.

Method: Here we describe a case of psoriasis in a CD patient not responding to specific therapies for psoriasis.