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

Skin Colouring


Kaycee

Recommended Posts

Kaycee Collaborator

When I was a lot younger, my relatives were always telling me to go outside and get more sun, as I looked pale. I did think I got enough sun, but didn't go out looking for it. But I at times thought that maybe I did look a little yellow, Doesn't that mean jaundice? Nobody commented on that, so I thought it is just me, and I must be okay, (A bit like all the coeliac symtoms I had and thought it was just me). I was born to be an ostrich, with my head buried in the sand.

I've had blood tests throughout my life, and my doctor hasn't been concerned about my colour, no mention whatsoever.

Now that I am gluten free, I noticed a couple of weeks back, after being glutened that I looked a bit yellow. I asked huybby, and he said, yes, a little yellow. And yesterday after another glutening I thought, I feel hung over and I don't look too well with a bit of a yellow tinge. I think this is probably the gluten, and does anybody else get it? So I think I have been coeliac all my life, as I have had symptoms on and off for ever.

It could be jaundice, but I don't think so, as that is meant to make the whites of your eyes yellow as well, and I only notice it now when I have had gluten. I am fair without any Asian in me, just European. If anything I should have an olive complexion with being part Croatian. The Englishness in me brings out the fair skin.

Just a thought.

Sorry about my humour. I use it probably to hide my true feelings, which I have always found hard to disclose to people, but I am learning. I am acutally quite a serious person. And I am just apalled at the fact that two twin 3 month old boys in my country were murdered by a care giver this week. How can somebody do this? It is so shocking! I weep for them.

Cathy


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



CarlaB Enthusiast

I have had comments that my color is much better, then the comment is followed by the fact that they never thought I looked bad before, but looking back, I look better now. I'm noticing I look darker than I used to. Fair skin could be my English heritage (25% English).

ravenwoodglass Mentor
When I was a lot younger, my relatives were always telling me to go outside and get more sun, as I looked pale. I did think I got enough sun, but didn't go out looking for it. But I at times thought that maybe I did look a little yellow, Doesn't that mean jaundice? Nobody commented on that, so I thought it is just me, and I must be okay, (A bit like all the coeliac symtoms I had and thought it was just me). I was born to be an ostrich, with my head buried in the sand.

I've had blood tests throughout my life, and my doctor hasn't been concerned about my colour, no mention whatsoever.

Now that I am gluten free, I noticed a couple of weeks back, after being glutened that I looked a bit yellow. I asked huybby, and he said, yes, a little yellow. And yesterday after another glutening I thought, I feel hung over and I don't look too well with a bit of a yellow tinge. I think this is probably the gluten, and does anybody else get it? So I think I have been coeliac all my life, as I have had symptoms on and off for ever.

It could be jaundice, but I don't think so, as that is meant to make the whites of your eyes yellow as well, and I only notice it now when I have had gluten. I am fair without any Asian in me, just European. If anything I should have an olive complexion with being part Croatian. The Englishness in me brings out the fair skin.

Just a thought.

Sorry about my humour. I use it probably to hide my true feelings, which I have always found hard to disclose to people, but I am learning. I am acutally quite a serious person. And I am just apalled at the fact that two twin 3 month old boys in my country were murdered by a care giver this week. How can somebody do this? It is so shocking! I weep for them.

Cathy

Hi Cathy, Has your doctor run a liver panel on you? Please ask him to just to be on the safe side. Celiac can wreck havoc with all systems including the liver. In early stages of problems you might not notice any yellowing of the eyes. Until your doctor checks your liver I would avoid all alcohol and any meds that are metabolized by the liver like Tylenol.

CarlaB Enthusiast
Hi Cathy, Has your doctor run a liver panel on you? Please ask him to just to be on the safe side. Celiac can wreck havoc with all systems including the liver. In early stages of problems you might not notice any yellowing of the eyes. Until your doctor checks your liver I would avoid all alcohol and any meds that are metabolized by the liver like Tylenol.

Good point ... and NEVER take Tylenol when you've had alcohol!! Our young priest started having liver trouble years ago ... he was wearing braces and taking Tylenol, with just the little wine at daily Mass and an occassional beer during a weekend game, he started getting ill.

Kaycee Collaborator

Good points. I will take note talk to the doctor about it. I thought it was all in my head, as nobody else comments. But they do all say I looke better, but then never told me I looked terrible before dianosis.

Cathy

TCA Contributor

My daughter was soooo pale before going gluten-free. She's now rosey. This was because she was severly anemic. My son's color is better too. I didn't realize how bad he looked until he got better! He just looked kind of sallow before. He's working on a nice tan after being out all the time playing (with sunscreen, of course)

jerseyangel Proficient

My color is so much better now--I used to be very pale. When I was very sick, prior to diagnosis, my husband said I went from pale to transparent! :D


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



indyceliac Newbie

I'm very fair and Ive always had a yellow tinge to my skin. Im Italian..i didnt get that Olive complexion either. But also, my liver enzyme tests have been high for the past two years (pre-diagnosis..im hoping after being gluten-free for awhile they will normalize). No hepatitis or cirrhosis..just unexplained high levels.

Anyways, about the skin thing..I always thought I looked more 'yellow' even tho no one else noticed or thought so...especially in pictures. And now that im getting older..if i go in the sun i get terrible brown sun spots..even with sunscreen..ugh.

CarlaB Enthusiast

I get those sun spots, too. I read recently that they will go away with vitamin B2 supplementation for 6 months because it's due to a deficiency. Don't know if that's true, but I hope so because I started supplementing B Complex for other reasons a couple days before I read that!! A happy coincidence!

I also never had anyone tell me I looked bad before, but I have had many comments on how much better my color is now. Then they add, but I never thought it looked bad before. I guess people just get used to how you look.

debmidge Rising Star

Husband's skin had grey tone to it for years....about 6 weeks gluten-free everyone commented on how much better he looked. So going gluten-free improved his coloring significantly.

Archived

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

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - ShariW commented on Scott Adams's article in Frequently Asked Questions About Celiac Disease
      4

      What are Celiac Disease Symptoms?

    2. - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

    3. - Scott Adams replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

    4. - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      My only proof

    5. - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,908
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    ebrown
    Newest Member
    ebrown
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • klmgarland
      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
    • Scott Adams
      Based on what you've described, it is absolutely possible you are dealing with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).  Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.   Your situation is a classic presentation: a negative celiac panel but a clear, recurring pattern of symptoms triggered by gluten. The symptoms you listed—particularly the extreme fatigue, bloating, neurological-psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety, and even the skin manifestations like facial flushing—are all well-documented in research on NCGS. It's important to know that you are not alone in experiencing this specific combination of physical and emotional reactions. The only way to know for sure is to commit to a strict, 100% gluten-free diet under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian for a period of several weeks to see if your symptoms significantly improve. It is also crucial to rule out other potential causes, so discussing these symptoms with a gastroenterologist is a very important next step.
×
×
  • 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.