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Gluten, Acne, and Food Allergies

Acne is a hormonal condition that many of us cannot avoid. However, studies have shown that acne may also be caused by certain food products. One's diet may then be directly related to one's acne. When eating foods that are rich in stuff like dairy and gluten, acne may be triggered through an allergic response.

Gluten is a substance found in barley, rye, oats and wheat. One may wonder how gluten, acne and food allergies could tie up. For one thing, food allergies, such as gluten allergies, can cause inflammations, not the least of which is the one that causes pain in the stomach area upon consumption.

When allergies strike, inflammations could occur in different parts of the body, as in the case of rashes. In the case of gluten, there is a certain allergic condition in which acne is triggered. One would be able to tell if one is allergic to gluten if one notices that he or she breaks out in pimples soon after eating a gluten-rich product.

This scenario can be prevented by avoiding foods that have gluten content. Depending on the severity of the allergic reaction, dermatological treatment may not even be necessary, once a proper diet plan has been established. However, avoiding gluten is not as simple as it sounds - many commercially-available breads, pastas, cereals and processed foods contain this substance. If you find that you are allergic to gluten, you may wish to prepare your own food at home, using ingredients that are clearly 100% gluten-free.

Dairy and lectin are two other products that may cause an acne outbreak. Dairy is found in milk, cheese, butter, and even yogurt. If you are lactose-intolerant - that is, you have problems digesting dairy products - you may expect that the skin on your face could be sensitive to dairy products as well. Lectin, on the other hand, can be found in some grains, starches, peppers, legumes (such as beans), and tomatoes. Lectins are proteins that bind to carbohydrates, causing inflammation that becomes manifest in different forms.

If it turns out that you are sensitive to products like dairy, lectins or gluten, acne is a foreseeable allergic reaction. If symptoms reappear even after you have cleared all suspicious foodstuffs from your diet, it may be time to pay a visit to your dermatologist.