Can Gluten Cause Cystic Acne?

Cystic acne occurs when inflammation in a blemish penetrates deeply into your skin. It is the most severe form of acne and causes significant skin damage and scars. Although diet --- including foods with gluten such as wheat --- doesn't cause acne, it can aggravate the condition in some people. However, acne can be stubborn and modifications in the diet may have little effect in some cases. Consult a dermatologist about the best treatments available.

What Is Gluten?

Gluten is a combination of two proteins called glutenin and gliadin. It is commonly found in grains such as barley, oats, rye and wheat. It's responsible for giving dough its elasticity and structure. Unfortunately, gliadin in gluten can trigger allergic reactions or an intolerance in some people --- an autoimmune condition called celiac disease --- which prevents them from enjoying common foods such as pasta, pizza or breads.

Gluten's Possible Role in Acne

Food allergies may aggravate adult acne, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In a gluten allergy or intolerance, your small intestine may become damaged and allow gliadin to cross over into the intestinal lamina, which has capillaries and lymph tissue. This activity provokes the release of antibodies and inflammatory chemicals. As inflammation is a key player in acne, more of it in your body can aggravate the condition.

Considerations

Just because you consume foods or products that contain gluten and they seem to trigger your acne breakouts, it doesn't mean that gluten is specifically to blame. Foods with gluten are often high in carbohydrates and sugar that increase insulin levels. Insulin itself can also boost levels of inflammation and trigger excess production of oil and skin cells that build up in pores and lead to acne.

Removing Gluten from Your Diet

Symptoms of a gluten allergy or intolerance include abdominal bloating, cramps, diarrhea, fatigue and indigestion. Your doctor can recommend a test to determine if you have celiac disease. If you do, the only remedy is to remove foods with gluten from your diet. Besides barley, wheat and rye, you should skip grains such as bulgur, couscous, kamut, semolina, oat bran and spelt. Pure, uncontaminated oats are allowed if you have a gluten intolerance, as are amaranth, arrowroot, buckwheat, rice bran and corn. Your doctor or a nutritionist can give you more advice on a gluten-free diet.