If you've ever wondered… Can gluten affect your skin?
Absolutely.
Your skin is the largest organ of your body and plays a key role in protecting your body from harm against toxins, bacteria, viruses, UV light and general trauma.
It's also one of the many windows to potential inner turmoil in your body that's brewing beneath the surface.
As you know, there's an entire industry built around helping you obtain luxurious skin from the outside. But what you might not realize is that no amount of creams and potions that can mask issues like long-term dehydration, an unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption, or chronic poor sleep.
Nor can they hide inflammation brought on by gluten, other food sensitivities and allergies and autoimmunity.
Most doctors will tell you that they don't fully understand what triggers chronic (and often embarrassing) skin issues.
Diet isn't often on their radar as a hidden root cause underlying various rashes, blisters, bumps and scaly skin that some of us know all too well.
And so the go-to options most dermatologists recommend include medicated creams, ointments and pills might help in the short-term.
But long-term relief often takes a level of desperate dedication of trial and error on your part (or with the help of a practitioner who looks at your condition from a holistic perspective).
To be honest, it's utterly perplexing that food and diet aren't considered first in the conversation about skin disorders.
Often people suffer for years without getting straight answers that can result in expensive and ineffective treatments that don't ultimately work. They've got to tick off all the boxes first that frankly are more extreme before going back to the drawing board to wonder if it was diet related the entire time.
It's worth asking the question… why not opt to examine the low-hanging fruit with diet rather than take something that can long-term negatively impact your health?
For those of us currently living with gluten sensitivity, celiac disease, and other autoimmune disorders, food is often a big piece of every health puzzle that's encountered. And that's why those of us that struggled for years without clear diagnoses know all too well the pain and frustration involved with finding the root cause of ongoing skin issues.
Can Gluten Affect Your Skin?
The simple answer is yes.
It's been known for quite some time that reactions to gluten can absolutely manifest as skin issues.
Why dermatologists aren't quite up to speed with this is unfortunate for the patients in their care.
On one hand, it might not be their fault — a simple search of the American Academy of Dermatology's website looking for any mention of gluten turns up absolutely nothing.
Surprisingly, dermatitis herpetiformis that's clearly been linked to Celiac Disease and thus the ingestion of gluten is not listed anywhere on their site.
(This is still true as of 1/1/2019 — it is not listed their Diseases and Treatments section. Kind of a big omission, right?)
Think about when you saw a dermatologist with an unresolvable rash. Were you ever asked about your diet?
Unless the doctor thinks that a specific food is a potential allergen, what you eat is rarely a subject for conversation.
The Downside To Treating Your Skin Only On The Outside
Instead, exterior salves are prescribed that may or may not resolve the problem.
Every single one of them has their own set of side effects, some more horrible than others. Make sure you know the long-term issues before starting on them and understand why they often don't work.
Aside from the fact that uncomfortable skin disorders can make everyday life physically irritating flares of eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis herpetiformis or other autoimmune skin conditions can be emotionally and mentally draining as well.
For example, if you suffer from cycles of psoriasis outbreaks, you may feel embarrassed and very self-conscious of rashes, lesions or scabs.
The shame can make you feel that your only option is to cover up the exposed skin.
This means going to different lengths to conceal the blemishes by wearing long sleeves in the summer. Or avoiding bathing suits altogether.
It can make you avoid prolonged contact with other people for fear of being teased or stared at.
For children with skin issues, bullying is a serious concern as other kids don't always take too kindly to even the smallest of differences.
While other things such as environmental allergies, personal care products, and metals (such as nickel) can certainly cause issues with skin flare-ups, you should consider the potential control you have over your skin through diet. Gluten skin problems are more common than you might think which makes diet a better (more effective option).
And diet changes are less expensive and involve fewer side effects than drugs on the market used to manage autoimmune skin conditions such as Humira.
Gluten Skin Problem #1 — Psoriasis
Psoriasis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the United States as well as one of the most readily visible affecting 7.5 million people in the U.S. alone.
It's characterized by a few different symptoms that include:
– red patches of skin (sometimes covered with a silvery scaly texture)
– dry or cracked skin
– small or larger scaling areas
– scabbing
– bleeding
This said, why not consider gluten as a culprit when organizations like the National Psoriasis Foundation states that up to 25% of people who have psoriasis also may be sensitive to gluten.
And that's taking into account the people with psoriasis who have a gluten skin problem that they know about.
Additionally, the Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis found that psoriasis patients with the HLA CW6 gene (that's linked to psoriasis) had an increased sensitivity to the gliadin protein (gluten).
Of those patients, approximately 16% of patients had either IgA and/or IgG antibodies to the protein. When these patients tried a gluten-free diet, the majority found a marked improvement in their symptoms.
(Oh… and this study was done in 2000 which again underscores the question of why gluten isn't typically suspected by dermatologists.)
Another form of psoriasis is psoriatic arthritis which is characterized by inflammation, swelling, and pain of the joints throughout the body along with classic psoriasis symptoms.
It too has also be linked to gluten sensitivity.
In 2002, a study was published in the Journal of Rheumatology found that 49 of 302 patients with psoriatic arthritis had increased serum IgA antibodies to gliadin (gluten protein). When 30 of these 49 patients followed a gluten‐free diet, their psoriasis improved.
Gluten Skin Problem #2 — Eczema
Like psoriasis, millions of people suffer from eczema, an itchy, inflamed, and irritated skin condition. Sometimes it’s called general dermatitis that can strike any part of the body.
To be fair, eczema is not always caused by food sensitivities. But many sufferers have found that eliminating offending foods such as gluten and dairy can make a real difference.
The National Eczema Association (NEA) agrees, and has posted the following statement on their web page under alternative therapies for eczema:
“There is no doubt, however, that some foods seem to be inflammatory, particularly in some people, and so gluten-free and dairy-free may make a difference in some. Avoiding processed foods is also generally a good idea, even if it does not help the eczema much. Eating natural, organic, and balanced foods is a win-win, so rather than argue against it, it is better to encourage it!”
To be clear, a gluten-free diet or dairy-free diet may not work for everyone. However, it's a risk worth taking (in my opinion) if nothing else seems to work.
Alternatively, the University of Maryland Medical Center lists food allergies as a significant factor for some eczema sufferers.
They suggest that eating a healthful diet and avoiding common food allergens may reduce inflammation and symptoms. Some of the main food culprits include:
- dairy (HERE'S how I swap dairy out of client's diets)
- wheat (sometimes all gluten-containing grains — HERE'S a comprehensive list)
- soy
- citrus
- peanuts
- fish
- eggs
- corn
- tomatoes
One study even suggests an emphasis on gluten and dairy specifically as culprits of eczema. The researchers found that antigen absorption (of gluten and dairy) from the gut can play a role in the beginning stages of atopic eczema.
A great, real-life example of food sensitivity and food allergy elimination to help treat eczema can be found at the phenomenal blog, Itchy Little World, written by a mother of two detailing her family's ups, downs, and ultimately successes controlling her son's severe allergies and eczema.
Even Jennifer, the founder of Skinterrupt, has talked about the embarrassing nightmare of developing dyshidrotic eczema.
She always had strange clear bumps on the side of her right middle finger, but suddenly they became red, inflamed, terribly itchy and would burn if exposed to pretty much anything including water.
Even washing her hands went from being a painful chore to near impossible. Soap and water would only exacerbate the issue.
You can listen to Jennifer's story HERE.
After doing a lot of internet research, she narrowed down her condition and then went to a dermatologist who didn't have any answers for her.
“Basically the dermatologist assumed that I must be using all sorts of harsh, chemically lotions and soap or wearing nickel (as that can sometimes cause skin flares). None of that was true.
“Aside from her suggestion that it was stress-related, the doctor said that the reason people develop dyshidrotic eczema really isn't clear. She wasn't concerned about my diet and refused to speak about it.”
Aside from prescribing a steroid cream (which can permanently thin your skin), “she suggested that I keep the affected areas, which were spreading and flaring up with increasing intensity, covered with Vasoline,” shares Jennifer.
Really?
Why is a petroleum-based product a legit recommendation for skin issues?
Through this, Jennifer became very aware of how frustrating skin ailments are.
[Check out our Definitive Guide to Eczema Treatment & 7 Naturally Remedies That Actually Work]
She acknowledges that “I still don't have concrete answers, but I've often wondered why eczema isn't considered an autoimmune condition or at least related to autoimmunity. If you gain some relief using steroid creams, then we're missing something because corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation and suppress your immune system.”
That said, the concept of “leaky skin” should be on your radar since that is a big piece of the puzzle!
Gluten Skin Problem #3 — Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH)
Dermatitis herpetiformis, simply abbreviated as DH, is a painful rash usually seen in 15-25% of people with Celiac Disease.
Contrary to the name, DH is not caused by the herpes virus.
It is actually a skin manifestation of Celiac. It should be noted that this skin condition is exclusively seen in patients with diagnosed or undiagnosed Celiac Disease.
That’s not to say that those who experience DH can’t also experience psoriasis, eczema, or other skin conditions. They certainly can. Simply put by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, a positive diagnosis of DH always indicates a positive test for Celiac.
Interestingly though, those with DH and Celiac may not experience any gastrointestinal discomfort or symptoms.
In many cases of DH, an intestinal biopsy for Celiac can come back negative, since the skin is, in fact, manifesting the symptoms.
Left unchecked, Celiac can lead to the development of other diseases and even cancer. Going gluten-free typically clears up DH symptoms and reduces antibodies to gluten in the body.
Other Notable Skin Disorders
Here are a few other gluten skin problems to be aware of:
- Acne
- Alopecia areata (patchy baldness)
- Prurigo nodularis
- Hyperpigmentation (Vitiligo)
- Several atopic rashes (allergy related)
Here’s a great further listing of associated skin conditions (evidence shows some of these can be present in non-celiac gluten sensitivity as well).
What are your next steps?
If you've got chronic skin issues and suspect that gluten is an issue…
OR you've been struggling with your chronic skin rash issues for way too long…
It's time to look at your skin rashes from a fresh perspective that dives deep into the underlying triggers and hidden causes that keep you stuck in the flare cycle.
I'll be honest… often gluten is just one small piece of the puzzle and there are other non-diet factors that must be addressed.
Granted, it can feel overwhelming especially if you’ve already spent a lot of time without success trying to figure things out on your own. That's why if you're committed to getting to the bottom of the issue, it’s time to ask for help.
You don’t have to continue to suffer alone.
I know because I’ve been there. (Read more about my story here.)
And I work with women (and men) who are fed up spinning their wheels without getting any results from their dermatologists who just want to try the same old thing, again and again, hoping for a different result.
If you're ready to start getting answers that are deeper than just the skin so you can finally resolve the rashes for good, let's talk!
Jennifer Fugo, MS, CNS
Jennifer Fugo, MS, CNS is an integrative Clinical Nutritionist and the founder of Skinterrupt. She works with adults who are ready to stop chronic gut and skin rash issues by discovering their unique root cause combo and take custom actions with Jennifer's support to get clear skin (and their life) back.