Acne On The Arms And Gluten Intolerance

We are hearing more and more about gluten intolerance,  a disorder that is not as serious as celiac disease, but which also affects us in different parts of the body if we consume foods that contain this protein.

In this article we’ll talk about one of the most common symptoms: blackheads that appear on the arms for no apparent reason.

Celiac disease affects the entire body

First and foremost, celiac disease is an autoimmune disease characterized by a permanent intolerance to gluten-containing foods.

Gluten is found in wheat, oats, barley and rye, also known as TACC (on the food product label), and in all those processed foods that are prepared with derivatives of these cereals.

Despite being a disease determined by a genetic condition, it can manifest itself at any stage of life.

When consuming gluten, celiac suffers an immune response that causes the production of antibodies that affect not only the digestive system, but also the body in general.

Is gluten intolerance the same as celiac disease?

In recent years, there have been some disorders related to different degrees of sensitivity to gluten that are not celiac disease.

In these cases, it appears that gluten intolerance does not have an autoimmune basis;  but, it could be related to other factors that are still unknown.

The problem is that this disorder is more difficult to diagnose, as symptoms  can appear gradually and be confused with other health problems.

Therefore, it is important to know the possible symptoms of this intolerance, including the appearance of blackheads on the arms.

the carnations in the arms

There are people who have blackheads on their arms, similar to what is known as “chicken skin”.

This symptom, which is actually called  keratosis pilaris,  is an excess of keratin that appears on the back of the arms as a  result of a lack of vitamin A  and fatty acids.

This deficiency is not due to a bad diet, but because intolerance progressively damages the intestine and prevents the absorption of fat.

We may have had blackheads for years without ever having linked them to a possible gluten intolerance. So, to know with more certainty if they are related to this protein, we can review the other symptoms listed below.

other symptoms

These are other possible symptoms of gluten intolerance:

• Usual digestive discomfort, such  as bloating, gas and acidity, for example;
• Fatigue or exhaustion, especially after eating gluten-containing foods (noodles, cookies, bread, etc.). Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia should also be considered;
• Hormonal irregularities. In the case of women, it is easy to confirm whether they suffer irregular or painful cycles, infertility or miscarriages;
• Migraines. Migraines are almost always related to digestive difficulties, although not always with gluten;

• Joint inflammation or pain;
• Anxiety, depression or mood swings.

If we have a family or personal history of autoimmune diseases (thyroid, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, etc.) we are even more likely to suffer from this intolerance.

How do I know if I’m intolerant?

If you suffer from these symptoms, see a doctor for pertinent digestive tests to confirm or rule out this disorder.

However, exams do not always give 100% reliable results. In other words, the results can be negative even if you have a degree of gluten sensitivity.

Another way to find out is to  eliminate gluten from your diet for a month.

Be restricted as the body needs time to eliminate the toxins that undigested gluten has caused in the body. Thus, you will be at the mercy of product labels.

You will be surprised how many foods do not contain this protein.

If you happen to be eating out, always ask if the food contains flour ,  which is often used in salads, soups, beer and other alcoholic beverages, for example.

After this month,  reintroduce gluten into your diet and watch for possible symptoms.