Since celiac disease is triggered by gluten, the main treatment is a gluten-free diet. Eliminating gluten exposure allows the small intestine to heal, improving symptoms over time. Although symptoms can improve within days to weeks after starting a gluten-free diet, some, such as dermatitis herpetiformis, are not resolved for up to 2 years. Steroids and other immunosuppressants can also be used to help relieve symptoms while the small intestine heals.