28 replies to this topic

[MAChaplin]

I'm MIchelle

My acne started when I was 11 and I'm 31. For the last 20 years I have had chronic, cystic, painful acne on my face, chest and back. My acne caused "ice pick" scars (the doctors call them) I have done every laser: blue light, red light, fraxel, I have been on every oral medication including acutane, tetracyclne, monodox and topicals such as differin, retin-a bla bla bla...The best doctors including the head of dermatology at UCLA, Dr. Ava Shamban etc etc the lists are endless and NOTHING worked! I have spent close to 50,000 over these 20 years and no doctor ever sent me for allergy tests. In May 2011 I was so tired of being broken out and desperate to find the answer. I looked all over the web and then I found this website, it showed me pictures of the exact acne I had, chronic cystic acne. This website taught me that chronic cystic acne is most commonly affected by a gluten allergy and also by dairy. It suggests a completely gluten free, dairy free diet with lots of water! I cut out my gluten and dairy 95% and my skin is clear and looks really good. I still have a little breakout around my period at my jawline but my skin is so much better. My clearer skin has given me more confidence and when my friends tell me how great I look I believe them. This is the first time in my life that I have not needed to wear foundation everywhere I go and when the sun hits my face I no longer hide behind my hand. I am so grateful for the gift of this knowledge and this website.

If you are in broken out and in pain try taking all gluten and dairy out of your diet and notice if you see the results I do. I had my boyfriend witness my daily improvements. Drink lots of water,if you are going to eat corn products try no gmo brands, eat organic fruits and veggies, corn tortilla chips and guacamole enjoy the new diet because your body and skin will love it.

I will never have perfect skin but I know now that my skin is healthy from the inside out.

Please let me know your thoughts on the gluten free, dairy free diets and share your stories with me.

[faithgirl1409]

hi there, mine started at 12 and im now 27 so same sorta boat! I am keen to know what exactly a gluten dairy free diet looks like.
ii mostly actually eat bread ,cereals, and of course milk in my coffee , so what are my options? and what about sugar?i also tend to eat everything with suagr in so just wondering what does this diet look like and is it at least interesting? sure it helps in losing weight too hey?

[Jingyd]

I suspect gluten is my problem, I also suffer from very bad IBS. I am underweight also, struggle to gain weight. I am worried if I go gluten free I will lose even more. Any advice?

[princess004]

I struggled with acne for 7 years. For the most part I had success with acne medication then in 2011 things went terribly wrong. I stopped responding to my medication and my skin went crazy. Every morning I would wake up with at least 10 new inflamed pimples. By August of 2011 my entire face was covered. I had no healthy skin left other than the bridge of my nose and my eye area. My acne had even started migrating down my neck. Not a pretty sight. I did a lot of research online and found people talking about giving up wheat and dairy and how it affected their skin for the better. In a week I started to see a difference. My inflammation began to subside and my active lesions were healing and new ones were not appearing. I still get 1-3 inflamed ones at that time of the month but other than that I am clear. I am still working on getting all the hyper pigmentation to fade but my skin is looking amazing.

[catherinemorland]

faithgirl1409, on 04 October 2011 - 03:44 AM, said:

hi there, mine started at 12 and im now 27 so same sorta boat! I am keen to know what exactly a gluten dairy free diet looks like.
ii mostly actually eat bread ,cereals, and of course milk in my coffee , so what are my options? and what about sugar?i also tend to eat everything with suagr in so just wondering what does this diet look like and is it at least interesting? sure it helps in losing weight too hey?

Gluten is going to be in anything made with wheat, barley or rye. There are several other things to look out for but I'm trying to be brief.
Sugar is fine on a GF diet, other than that, you're going to have to get some new favorite foods. Milk is GF too, but if you're going gluten AND diary free, well...you know.
There is no test, allergy or otherwise, to diagnose a gluten sensitivity. Going gluten free is a new DIET trend not HEALTH trend and I'm opposed to all this jabbering on about it. If you don't have Celiac's or other signs, then you can tolerate gluten just fine.
Many product's will say on the packaging "gluten free" or "contains gluten." If you're not sure, look at the ingredient list and beware anything that acts as a thickener basically. And cross-contamination is also a spooky concept. But like I said if gluten doesn't affect you, and more times than not it doesn't, then if you do eat some while on your GF diet, o well, no big deal.

[this is julie]

I've stopped eating dairy, and I think it did have some effect on my inflammation, which has gone down considerably. I have also given up gluten (which is trickier than dairy, I think.) Now I am trying to drop sugar from my diet - just to see if there is any affect at all. This is the most difficult of all for people with a sugar-tooth!

Edited by this is julie, 07 November 2011 - 07:48 PM.

[catherinemorland]

I can see how dairy might affect skin because of all the hormones and whatnot. But I don't see the connection of gluten or sugar. (Unless you're allergic) Anybody have info or lab studies info to share about the subject?

Gluten free lifestyle is extremely hard for people who like bread and pasta(me). And taking supplements to give back what you're missing just stinks. Plus, alot of pills have gluten in them anyway. Which is also something you should look into if you're on meds for acne, sounds weird but gluten can be in there and that's not going to help!
There's just no way in heck I'm giving up my sugar. Potatoes are the saving grace of us wheat allergic people!

[this is julie]

catherinemorland, on 07 November 2011 - 08:15 PM, said:

I can see how dairy might affect skin because of all the hormones and whatnot. But I don't see the connection of gluten or sugar. (Unless you're allergic) Anybody have info or lab studies info to share about the subject?

Gluten free lifestyle is extremely hard for people who like bread and pasta(me). And taking supplements to give back what you're missing just stinks. Plus, alot of pills have gluten in them anyway. Which is also something you should look into if you're on meds for acne, sounds weird but gluten can be in there and that's not going to help!
There's just no way in heck I'm giving up my sugar. Potatoes are the saving grace of us wheat allergic people!

Hmm I cannot say one way or another if there is a definite correlation. I should have said that I feel bad when I eat gluten, like I am doing damage to my face. But after you spend hours on the Natural/Holistic forum, you get scared about certain things! And I know it is extremely hard!

I don't believe food causes acne, because I know people with horrible diets and clear skin. But personally, I think that if you have acne, it can be effected by certain foods. That is just my hunch.

And I prefer sweet potatoes

Edited by this is julie, 07 November 2011 - 08:25 PM.

[catherinemorland]

LOL well as I'm sure a long line of my Irish ancestors have said: potatoes is potatoes, yum!

I'm not one to get sucked into the hype in regards to food, or anything for that matter. Much like Kanye, you can't tell me nothin'. Hah.
But I do understand that it's not food so much as nutrients and vitamins, etc. And of course I know exactly what an allergy can do to your skin if you gobble down against your better judgement. I always suggest to people with acne who go on gluten free diets that they have a comprehensive allergy test done before they get all spendy on the GF products. Especially if you only have acne as a "symptom" because it could be worse to take all the grains out of your diet than just the one thing you may be allergic to ya know? Remember the food pyramid? Best not to mess with that too much I say.

[numbaunstunna]

Mine was due to acne and HFCS. It makes me angry how doctors are conning people by peddling dangerous drugs instead of finding out the causes of acne!

[Timehealsall]

Jingyd, on 05 October 2011 - 05:10 AM, said:

I suspect gluten is my problem, I also suffer from very bad IBS. I am underweight also, struggle to gain weight. I am worried if I go gluten free I will lose even more. Any advice?

hmm, do you believe the irritable bowel syndrome might be the reason why you struggle to gain weight?

numbaunstunna, on 08 November 2011 - 01:30 AM, said:

Mine was due to acne and HFCS. It makes me angry how doctors are conning people by peddling dangerous drugs instead of finding out the causes of acne!

HFCS?

Which dangerous drugs are you referring to ? (i assume its accutane?)

[catherinemorland]

Difficulty gaining weight does go hand in hand with IBS....

[Jingyd]

Yes I do because when Ihave an ibs attack I can't eat because of the pain and discomfort for days on end. My GP even suspects I am intolerant to wheat.

Timehealsall, on 08 November 2011 - 02:16 AM, said:

Jingyd, on 05 October 2011 - 05:10 AM, said:

I suspect gluten is my problem, I also suffer from very bad IBS. I am underweight also, struggle to gain weight. I am worried if I go gluten free I will lose even more. Any advice?

hmm, do you believe the irritable bowel syndrome might be the reason why you struggle to gain weight?

numbaunstunna, on 08 November 2011 - 01:30 AM, said:

Mine was due to acne and HFCS. It makes me angry how doctors are conning people by peddling dangerous drugs instead of finding out the causes of acne!

HFCS?

Which dangerous drugs are you referring to ? (i assume its accutane?)

[Timehealsall]

Jingyd, on 08 November 2011 - 05:45 AM, said:

Yes I do because when Ihave an ibs attack I can't eat because of the pain and discomfort for days on end. My GP even suspects I am intolerant to wheat.

Timehealsall, on 08 November 2011 - 02:16 AM, said:

Jingyd, on 05 October 2011 - 05:10 AM, said:

I suspect gluten is my problem, I also suffer from very bad IBS. I am underweight also, struggle to gain weight. I am worried if I go gluten free I will lose even more. Any advice?

hmm, do you believe the irritable bowel syndrome might be the reason why you struggle to gain weight?

numbaunstunna, on 08 November 2011 - 01:30 AM, said:

Mine was due to acne and HFCS. It makes me angry how doctors are conning people by peddling dangerous drugs instead of finding out the causes of acne!

HFCS?

Which dangerous drugs are you referring to ? (i assume its accutane?)

ic. Did you ever take oral antibiotics before? Did they cause IBS?

I think i might have IBS since i cannot gain weight... but how can i be so sure? I can eat no matter what though..

[Jingyd]

Yes, I had helicobacter last year and took antibiotics for a week, very strong nasty ones though which flared up my IBS again, it settled after taking probiotics though. It has never been the same since though.

[catherinemorland]

Timehealsall, on 08 November 2011 - 05:47 AM, said:

ic. Did you ever take oral antibiotics before? Did they cause IBS?

I think i might have IBS since i cannot gain weight... but how can i be so sure? I can eat no matter what though..

Talk to your doc about it. As far as I know they diagnose it by process of elimination.

To Jin: did you have a wheat allergy test done? There are 3 (just that I know of) wheat proteins that can affect you if you're allergic. Have you ever touched wheat or walked through a field of it and broken out? I'm allergic and I have IBS-like symptoms if I ingest it, but it also affects my skin if ingested AND if I'm in contact with it. But some people can come in contact but can't eat it. Allergies are so frustrating.

Edited by catherinemorland, 08 November 2011 - 04:16 PM.

[numbaunstunna]

Timehealsall, on 08 November 2011 - 02:16 AM, said:

Jingyd, on 05 October 2011 - 05:10 AM, said:

I suspect gluten is my problem, I also suffer from very bad IBS. I am underweight also, struggle to gain weight. I am worried if I go gluten free I will lose even more. Any advice?

hmm, do you believe the irritable bowel syndrome might be the reason why you struggle to gain weight?

numbaunstunna, on 08 November 2011 - 01:30 AM, said:

Mine was due to acne and HFCS. It makes me angry how doctors are conning people by peddling dangerous drugs instead of finding out the causes of acne!

HFCS?

Which dangerous drugs are you referring to ? (i assume its accutane?)

High Fructose Corn Syrup
I am specifically referring to Accutane. The side effects are horrendous.....

[princess004]

this is julie, on 07 November 2011 - 08:24 PM, said:

catherinemorland, on 07 November 2011 - 08:15 PM, said:

I can see how dairy might affect skin because of all the hormones and whatnot. But I don't see the connection of gluten or sugar. (Unless you're allergic) Anybody have info or lab studies info to share about the subject?

Gluten free lifestyle is extremely hard for people who like bread and pasta(me). And taking supplements to give back what you're missing just stinks. Plus, alot of pills have gluten in them anyway. Which is also something you should look into if you're on meds for acne, sounds weird but gluten can be in there and that's not going to help!
There's just no way in heck I'm giving up my sugar. Potatoes are the saving grace of us wheat allergic people!

Hmm I cannot say one way or another if there is a definite correlation. I should have said that I feel bad when I eat gluten, like I am doing damage to my face. But after you spend hours on the Natural/Holistic forum, you get scared about certain things! And I know it is extremely hard!

I don't believe food causes acne, because I know people with horrible diets and clear skin. But personally, I think that if you have acne, it can be effected by certain foods. That is just my hunch.

And I prefer sweet potatoes

My dermatologist always told me that there was no relationship between food and acne. So for 7 years like a good little patient I handed over my money and in turn got prescriptions. I've been on benzoyl peroxide, doxycyline, Retin A, Differin Gel, different formulations of clindamycin, three type of birth control pills. I had great succes yet every now and then my skin would stop responding and my dermatologist would give me a new medication to try.
In January 2011 my acne stopped responding to everything. I was not aware that acne could take over your entire face in literally two weeks. This happened while I was on an antibiotic and Retin A The only area that I didn't break out was around the eyes and the bridge of my nose. This continued until August 2011 when I went gluten free and dairy free. By this time my inflammatory acne was migrating down my neck. An average of 10 new inflamed pimples a day from January to August meant that it had taken over my face. I never believed food could affect your acne but the results were too drastic to think it could have been anything else. In two days I noticed that I didn't have as many breakouts as before, in a week the inflammation was gone and I wasn't breaking out. The hyperpigmentation was terrible but the bumps were gone. I was just left with one area on my left cheek that broke out for a couple of weeks more. It stopped by Week 3.
Our bodies are all so different so our acne comes about for different reasons. Some people eat junk and never get a pimple. I had a pretty good diet, I was not into junk foods, was not into fast food. I preferred having fruit as a snack and water as my beverage. I never went to bed with makeup, got enough sleep. I would tell anyone don't overlook certain foods. It's easy to cut it out for one week, if you see a difference--you just saved a lot of money, if you don't see a difference--oh well, there might be another cause. You wouldn't have lost much. So many other things you can eat. It's just a week.

[catherinemorland]

The problem that I have with food messing with you that bad is that it's always stuff you've eaten since you grew enough teeth to eat it. Why is it only affecting you now? And when you remove more than one thing from your diet at the same time, which one is working? How do you know?
I agree everyone is different and things that work for some don't in others. I dislike self-diagnoses. And I'm concerned that too many people are giving up valuable nutrients to satisfy a google-based diagnoses.

[princess004]

catherinemorland, on 08 November 2011 - 06:00 PM, said:

The problem that I have with food messing with you that bad is that it's always stuff you've eaten since you grew enough teeth to eat it. Why is it only affecting you now? And when you remove more than one thing from your diet at the same time, which one is working? How do you know?
I agree everyone is different and things that work for some don't in others. I dislike self-diagnoses. And I'm concerned that too many people are giving up valuable nutrients to satisfy a google-based diagnoses.

My plan is after 6 months to reintroduce gluten for 2 weeks and see what happens. If nothing happens I will remove the gluten and then reintroduce dairy and then see what happens. Thing is you can develop adult allergies. Weird things happen. As a teenager I never had a pimple. Then when I turned 22 my skin went crazy. Clearly what worked for me from birth until the age of 21 stopped working at the age of 22. I don't think I am missing out on any valuable nutrients by cutting out wheat and dairy. I eat 7-9 serving of fruits and vegetables a day--I make sure I eat the rainbow to ensure I am getting everything I need: reds, yellows/oranges, purples/blues, dark greens. I have brown rice and lots of peas and beans. I eat a lot of vegetarian sources of calcium so I know I am not missing out on that either. I can also get my B-12 from various seafood sources. I would even say that I am probably getting more nutrients than the average person. I was eating like this before I dropped the gluten and the dairy though.
It was at the point that I was going to have to start accutane as I stopped responding to everything else. I decided to try the diet for a week. I was completely sceptical. I figured well, why not. Can it really hurt?
It's not only google based diagnoses though. I started reading two books, one by a dermatologist and another one by a nutritionist. They are called "The Clear Skin Diet" and the other one is "Feed Your Skin, Starve Your Wrinkles". These books talk about what you should and should not be eating. They break it down. The Clear Skin Diet actually refers to studies linking acne and dairy and I believe gluten. The studies are there. It's not just google although I do agree that some people take everything they find on the internet at face value.

Edited by princess004, 08 November 2011 - 07:49 PM.