Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Celiac and Acne


von

Recommended Posts

von Apprentice

Hi guys,

 

I was diagnosed with Celiac disease in May but from when I started to notice differences in my health I think I really developed the condition in early 2012. One thing I have noticed during that time is that I suffer from acne (including cystic) and more severe rosacea than before. I am 23 now and never really suffered from acne in high school so it is very frustrating to have it now! Has anyone else found this to be an issue related to Celiac? I am hesitant to start any harsh treatment like Accutane if its really just from the Celiac as I'm still in the recovery phase. Has anyone found anything that worked for them? My main symptom of Celiac is vitamin/nutrient deficiency (diagnosed with iron, B12, and D3 but there could be more). I got 50 mg zinc tablets as I read that zinc deficiency is related to acne but I'm not sure that I am deficient since that was never diagnosed (but don't think its been checked). Should I give those a try? After buying them I read more information saying its bad to take them if you're not deficient and can lead to copper deficiency so now I'm hesitant haha!


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Scott Adams Grand Master

 I've not seen any studies that directly link celiac disease with acne but it is possible that it could be related. I had issues with acne and high school and into my 20s which went away when I went gluten-free. I can't be 100% sure the two are related but I do think it's possible.

nvsmom Community Regular

Do you think it could be sugar related?  Many gluten-free products are higher in sugar...

I recently cut sugar from my diet and was shocked at how my skin cleared up (it had become acne prone in the last 10 years).

Scott Adams Grand Master

Sugar, starches and many flours are generally not good for you, but I'm not sure if they contribute to acne. It would be worth cutting down on them in any case.

cyclinglady Grand Master

You can always test the zinc for a short period of time.  Make sure it is gluten free!  You are probably right that you could be low in other minerals and vitamins that your doctor did not test for.  I have Rosacea (even the ocular (eye) version.   I noticed that foods can cause a flare-up (e.g. red wine, garlic, etc)  Try keeping a journal. 

Akealey Newbie

I would first try gluten free skin care products and makeup.  

chelz910 Newbie

Hi there!

I have suffered with acne and cystic acne as well.  I think once you start to heal and the gluten gets out of your system you will notice an improvement. I know that my acne is mostly directly related to my diet and my stress. Keep taking the zinc and do everything your doctor says. In the meantime try to cut out gluten in as many sources as possible and also eliminate SUGAR. Read those labels you would be amazed what contains sugar... even the canned vegetables at the store. Take out the sugar and see how well your skin reacts. Also, if you can handle it try your best to take out DAIRY. I know the food elimination is overwhelming at first but you may be surprised how well you can get into a routine after a few months. Dairy is a huge culprit for acne for people who don't have Celiac's ;)  Go 2 weeks and see how your skin reacts after not eating these things and you may have found your cure!


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



nvsmom Community Regular

Dairy!  Good point.  If I add cream to my coffee for a few days in a row, I am sure to get a few zits.

  • 1 month later...
constellation42 Newbie

Hello, if you are interested in a non dietary acne treatment, may I recommend Effaclar K by Laroche Posay and the Effaclar spot treatment. My skin cleared up at least 95% on this product line; those two are the most effective for me. I also use the proactive refining mask once every week or two. After a decade of struggling with acne, I am finally free and will always keep these in stock!

frieze Community Regular

do you perhaps have acne inversa?  i looked for pictures, didn't find decent ones.  

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,666
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    bailey1023
    Newest Member
    bailey1023
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Inkie
      Thank you for the information ill will definitely bring it into practice .
    • Scott Adams
      While plain, pure tea leaves (black, green, or white) are naturally gluten-free, the issue often lies not with the tea itself but with other ingredients or processing. Many flavored teas use barley malt or other gluten-containing grains as a flavoring agent, which would be clearly listed on the ingredient label. Cross-contamination is another possibility, either in the facility where the tea is processed or, surprisingly, from the tea bag material itself—some tea bags are sealed with a wheat-based glue. Furthermore, it's important to consider that your reaction could be to other substances in tea, such as high levels of tannins, which can be hard on the stomach, or to natural histamines or other compounds that can cause a non-celiac immune response. The best way to investigate is to carefully read labels for hidden ingredients, try switching to a certified gluten-free tea brand that uses whole leaf or pyramid-style bags, and see if the reaction persists.
    • Scott Adams
      This is a challenging and confusing situation. The combination of a positive EMA—which is a highly specific marker rarely yielding false positives—alongside strongly elevated TTG on two separate occasions, years apart, is profoundly suggestive of celiac disease, even in the absence of biopsy damage. This pattern strongly aligns with what is known as "potential celiac disease," where the immune system is clearly activated, but intestinal damage has not yet become visible under the microscope. Your concern about the long-term risk of continued gluten consumption is valid, especially given your family's experience with the consequences of delayed diagnosis. Since your daughter is now at an age where her buy-in is essential for a gluten-free lifestyle, obtaining a definitive answer is crucial for her long-term adherence and health. Given that she is asymptomatic yet serologically positive, a third biopsy now, after a proper 12-week challenge, offers the best chance to capture any microscopic damage that may have developed, providing the concrete evidence needed to justify the dietary change. This isn't about wanting her to have celiac; it's about wanting to prevent the insidious damage that can occur while waiting for symptoms to appear, and ultimately giving her the unambiguous "why" she needs to accept and commit to the necessary treatment. This article might be helpful. It breaks down each type of test, and what a positive results means in terms of the probability that you might have celiac disease. One test that always needs to be done is the IgA Levels/Deficiency Test (often called "Total IGA") because some people are naturally IGA deficient, and if this is the case, then certain blood tests for celiac disease might be false-negative, and other types of tests need to be done to make an accurate diagnosis. The article includes the "Mayo Clinic Protocol," which is the best overall protocol for results to be ~98% accurate.    
    • Scott Adams
      Welcome to the community! Generally, for a gluten challenge before celiac disease blood tests, Tylenol (acetaminophen) is considered safe and should not interfere with your antibody results. The medications you typically need to avoid are those like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) that can cause intestinal irritation, which could potentially complicate the interpretation of an endoscopy if you were to have one. However, it is absolutely crucial that you confirm this with either your gastroenterologist or your surgeon before your procedure. They know the specifics of your case and can give you the definitive green light, ensuring your surgery is comfortable and your celiac testing remains accurate. Best of luck with your surgery tomorrow
    • Xravith
      Thank you for the advice. I’ve actually never checked for nutritional deficiencies, but for as long as I can remember, I’ve always taken vitamin and mineral supplements — otherwise my symptoms get worse. This week I stopped eating gluten to confirm whether my symptoms are really caused by it. Starting next week, I’ll reintroduce gluten — it’s sad to go back to how I was before — but at least I’ll be able to take the necessary tests properly. I think the diagnostic process will be long, but at least I’m happy that I finally decided to address this doubt I’ve had for years.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.