It is becoming so common now to hear of someone going gluten-free with their diet and to see hundreds of gluten-free products in the grocery store on a single trip. Some people think those who are going gluten-free are just trying to be trendy but this is not the case for the majority of people. Think about it – Who would willingly give up warm savory breads and pastries, pasta, most salad dressings, even soy sauce and miso soup, without truly knowing they feel better without these foods? Gluten is now being linked to many health issues including weight gain/loss, digestive problems, and skin issues like acne and psoriasis.
Why Now?
Gluten is being used as a preservative in many processed foods because it helps to thicken foods while acting as a preservative. This is causing people to become very sensitive to gluten while others are born with celiac disease.
People diagnosed with celiac disease literally cannot digest gluten. It is like a poison to the body of a celiac. For someone who has celiac disease, gluten damages the small intestine and makes it difficult for the body to absorb the essential nutrients in food which can cause the person to become malnourished. Even the smallest trace of gluten can cause serious inflammation in the small intestine of a person with celiac. It is said that an estimated 1 out of 133 people have celiac disease.
Though the blood tests that determine if someone is celiac may show that a person doesn’t have celiac disease, one can still have an intolerance or sensitivity to gluten. The best way to determine if you have a sensitivity to gluten is to cut it completely out of your diet for a few weeks then try a few things that contain gluten and see how you feel. Very quickly, you will know if you have an intolerance to gluten.
Symptoms of Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance
Headaches/Migraines after eating gluten
Complete fatigue and exhaustion
Severe mood swings
Gastrointestinal, stomach, and digestive pain and problems which includes bloating, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and more
Neurological issues which includes dizziness, fogginess, a tingling or numbing in the extremities, and more
Hormonal imbalances
Inflammation, swelling, and/or pain in your joints
Skin issues like acne, eczema, and psoriasis
These are just a few symptoms that may be present if you are allergic or sensitive to gluten. Consult your physician to have an accurate medical diagnosis.
Is Your Acne Gluten-Induced?
For acne sufferers all over the world that have tried almost every natural and medicinal treatment to fight their acne with no relief, many may be gluten intolerant. Acne develops internally from blood sugar problems and chronic inflammation. These trigger hormonal reactions that lead to an increase in sebum (oil) production which cause clogged pores and an overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria to form. When your body rejects gluten, your body’s immune system looks at gluten like a foreign invader and has to attack the gluten by releasing histamine which increases inflammation and blood sugar issues, thus causing more acne to form.
Tips for Gluten-Induced Acne
1. Make an appointment to get blood work done to see if you have an intolerance or may be allergic to gluten.
2. Eliminate all gluten, including foods that may have small amounts of it hidden within. Remember, even trace amounts of gluten can cause havoc on your small intestine and overall health.
3. Keep a list of hidden foods that contain gluten on hand so you can choose wisely at the grocery store and when you eat out.
4. Avoid skincare products, hair products, and cosmetics that contain gluten. Believe it or not, gluten is found in lipstick, which you subconsciously ingest throughout the day.
5. It can take a couple days for the gluten you ingest to appear on your skin. Avoid gluten at all costs if you are diagnosed with an intolerance or allergy to gluten.
6. Clean out your medicine cabinet! Many pills and vitamins contain fillers, particularly wheat fillers. Opt for gluten-free medicine and herbal treatments.
Here’s a list of foods and other products to avoid that contain gluten. Hidden Gluten Sources
If you learn that your body doesn’t have a problem processing gluten yet you’re still struggling with finding a cure for your acne, don’t be discouraged. You may be allergic to something else so we recommend getting allergy tests to see if something else may be causing your acne. A blood test may be able to determine this if you are scared of having multiple needles injected in you for allergy testing. Don’t give up finding a cure for your acne but also try not to obsess over it. Your acne is temporary – Try to find joy in life and know that you are beautiful – inside and out.
Lindsay Schroeder, professional makeup artist and skincare guru, is the writer of all the content on Acne Skin Site. She has personally dealt with acne all throughout her 20’s and knows firsthand what anyone suffering with acne is going through. She has worked with thousands of clients that suffer with acne and has been able to encourage and educate them on how to get their skin on the road to recovery.
