Can Protein Cause Acne?

Protein is essential for human life, contributing to a variety of functions in your body, such as providing the structure of hair and skin and cell growth and repair. It is also vital for hormone production, bone formation and muscle growth and maintenance. While protein does not cause acne, it might trigger breakouts in some people.

Causes of Acne

Hormonal activity that increases oil production in the skin is one of the main causes of acne. In particular, male hormones --- which are also known as androgens --- have the biggest impact on sebaceous glands that produce oil. Other causes of acne are dead skin cells that tend to stick together and the Propionibacterium bacteria, which live on the skin. When oil, skin cells and bacteria become plugged in pores or hair follicles, inflammation sets in and acne blemishes form.

What Role Might Protein Play

In some adults, food allergies may be responsible for acne, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A food allergy develops when your immune system reacts abnormally to a protein in a particular food, such as eggs, milk or fruit. When you eat the food, your immune system releases antibodies and histamines in response to the protein. Besides causing symptoms such as itching and hives, the food allergy may also trigger an acne breakout or worsen it.

Your Options

Although the debate about the link between food and diet continues, if you feel that a particular food triggers your acne, try not to eat it. In the case of fruits and vegetables, cooking the food often helps prevent allergic reactions. Once you eliminate the food from your diet, watch to see if your acne improves. Improvement may take up to six months.

Considerations

Consult your doctor before changing your diet to treat acne. In some cases, it may not be the food you're eating that's triggering breakouts. For instance, if you tend to eat fried chicken or chocolate when you're stressed, those pimples that quickly follow may be the result of the stress you're feeling, not the foods. Stress increases inflammation that plays a role in acne. So don't expect that cutting back on protein or any other food will magically clear up your skin. A dermatologist can recommend dietary and lifestyle changes and prescribe medications that may help get rid of acne.