Relationship Between Celiac, gluten-free Diet, And Acne?

[KTNY]

I'm a 20 y.o. female who has been gluten-free for the past 8 years. Have had acne for the past 10 years. After being very strict with the gluten-free diet (3 yrs into it) my acne simply "changed forms" going from moderate to severe cystic acne concentrated in the T-zone to more of an issue with blemishes and lots of blackheads along the cheekbones, jawline and neck. I have been to about 6 different dermatologists and tried several external treatments (Retin-A, Benzoyl Peroxide, Tazarotine, Proactiv), about 4 different oral antibiotics, two cycles of Accutane, chemical peels and even Cortisone injections into my face. Everything either didn't work at all or worked for 3 or 4 months and then wore off.

For the past 2 years I gave up on all treatments. I have tried just being good to my skin and my stomach, using all natural cleansers and egg white masks and yogurt and honey masks with occasional drops of tea tree to try to deal with problematic periods. My face is the same. I consume very little dairy (nothing outside the occasional scoop of ice cream or slice of cheese in a gluten-free sandwich). I can't help but wonder though if my stubborn acne is associated with the gluten-free diet somehow. I inherited Celiac (presumably) from my father. We are the only 2 in the family with it and both of us are the only ones in the family with acne as well. I am taking a gluten-free Vitamin/Mineral supplement once to twice a day, but this doesn't seem to be making a different either (for my skin at least). Very frustrating.

Has anyone else noticed any association between acne and the gluten-free diet? Any ideas on what I could be overlooking in my diet or general health as a celiac that might be causing this problem?

[YoloGx]

I'm a 20 y.o. female who has been gluten-free for the past 8 years. Have had acne for the past 10 years. After being very strict with the gluten-free diet (3 yrs into it) my acne simply "changed forms" going from moderate to severe cystic acne concentrated in the T-zone to more of an issue with blemishes and lots of blackheads along the cheekbones, jawline and neck. I have been to about 6 different dermatologists and tried several external treatments (Retin-A, Benzoyl Peroxide, Tazarotine, Proactiv), about 4 different oral antibiotics, two cycles of Accutane, chemical peels and even Cortisone injections into my face. Everything either didn't work at all or worked for 3 or 4 months and then wore off.

For the past 2 years I gave up on all treatments. I have tried just being good to my skin and my stomach, using all natural cleansers and egg white masks and yogurt and honey masks with occasional drops of tea tree to try to deal with problematic periods. My face is the same. I consume very little dairy (nothing outside the occasional scoop of ice cream or slice of cheese in a gluten-free sandwich). I can't help but wonder though if my stubborn acne is associated with the gluten-free diet somehow. I inherited Celiac (presumably) from my father. We are the only 2 in the family with it and both of us are the only ones in the family with acne as well. I am taking a gluten-free Vitamin/Mineral supplement once to twice a day, but this doesn't seem to be making a different either (for my skin at least). Very frustrating.

Has anyone else noticed any association between acne and the gluten-free diet? Any ideas on what I could be overlooking in my diet or general health as a celiac that might be causing this problem?

As far as the gluten free diet, I have noticed a lot of pre-prepared food has an awful lot of sugar in it that could be exascerbating your acne. Its better to eat a more cave man like diet with fewer grains--especially fewer bleached ground up grains like bleached white rice flour. Thus emphasize root vegetables and squashes instead for carbohydrates and occasionally eat the more ancient forms of grains like teff and amaranth and quinoa rather than rice and corn.

I used to have acne really bad too. What helped me, besides eating a more basic cave man diet with lots of veggies and some meat and roots etc., was taking detoxing herbs such as alternating (one week and one week off) dandelion root and milk thistle caps (silymarin) with (also alternating--i.e., take one or the other not both at the same time) yellow dock and oregon grape root. If you look it up in herbal books you can find more things to experiment with. However these I listed have been tried and true plus don't make your body become more reactive immune wise like perhaps burdock might (although it is very good for the skin and never bothered me it has bothered a friend of mine who battles with a tendency to get RA).

Cleavers is reputably the best lymphatic drain herbs there is--plus its relatively inexpensive. This should really help get rid of some of the more difficult stuff in your skin. I think its important to take with the liver detoxing herbs however since all the released toxins will impact your liver and intestines on their way out.

Also using something like 1 tbsp. fresh ground flax seed (ground in one of those coffee grinders) with 1/4 tsp. apple pectin in the grind, and mix with water, drink and chase with more water will help pull out a lot of toxins in your intestines plus give you much needed omega 3's as well as help you be more regular.

You might also be reacting in part to all the antibiotics you have taken. thus its likely you have candida or a fungal overgrowth -- things like taking neem and oregano oil caps really help plus enterically coated probiotics (taken away from the oregano etc of course!), pao de arco, grapefruit seed extract drops in water (small doses! esp. at first; this is very strong--a little goes a long ways), barberry root, garlic and onions, etc.

Again, I can't emphasize this enough, its best to eat lots and lots of greens.

Other things that can help are exercise, saunas, mud packs of hands and feet and eventually the face etc.

Hope this helps!

Bea