Are Gluten and Rosacea Linked? Unlock 4 Powerful Tips for Reducing Skin Flare-ups

Did you know that people with rosacea are twice as likely to have celiac disease? ¹ For many, gluten can be a hidden trigger, wreaking havoc on your gut and making your rosacea worse. Reducing gluten might be the key to healing your gut and calming your skin naturally.

What is the Connection Between Gluten and Rosacea?

Did you know that the link between gluten and rosacea might be making your rosacea worse? For many dealing with rosacea, gluten triggers an inflammatory response that exacerbates symptoms like facial redness and irritation. Not only that, but many people with rosacea have undiagnosed celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, which can have a hugely negative impact on their skin. Understanding this connection could be your first step toward calmer, clearer skin.

Dr. Tara’s Story: Chronic Gluten Consumption with No Immediate Skin Reactions or Allergy Symptoms

Despite regularly consuming bread and cereals without obvious issues (unlike instant flare-ups from red peppers or wine,) Dr. Tara’s skin appeared unaffected by gluten—a fact confirmed by negative results from celiac and allergy tests. However, her suspicion about diet’s impact on her skin persisted, especially when her rosacea symptoms temporarily cleared during illnesses that emptied her stomach.

This experience led her to explore the connection between gluten and rosacea more deeply during a 30-day clean-eating challenge in December 2019, during which she fully eliminated gluten. The visible improvement in her skin was both surprising and motivating, prompting deeper research into why seemingly benign foods like dairy and gluten could still be problematic.

Gluten’s Impact on Chronic Skin Inflammation, Rosacea Symptoms, and Wheat Allergy

In the context of gluten and rosacea, this chronic skin disorder often flares up due to dietary rosacea triggers ²—gluten being a major one for some people. ³

Each of the four types of rosacea can react differently to what you eat, so it’s really important to find nutrition that fits your specific needs.

Gluten is found in common grains like wheat, barley, and rye and has changed a lot since the 1940s due to genetic modifications to increase crop yields. This newer, denser wheat, genetically altered to withstand significant levels of pesticides, is far from the natural, unmodified grains our ancestors grew. Nowadays, our diets are packed with processed foods, from breakfast cereals to fast food, which are not only less nutritious but are also loaded with chemicals like glyphosate. Diets like these can upset our gut microbiome, leading to chronic inflammation and a weakened immune system.

For those of us with rosacea, this means more flare-ups and skin irritation, highlighting the undeniable link between diet and skin health. Reducing gluten might help to promote gut health, thereby reducing chronic inflammation and improving your immune system, since 70% of your immune system is housed in your gut!

What Does Current Science Say About Gluten and Rosacea?

There’s growing evidence that a gluten-free diet could help to improve or heal your rosacea. This approach helps to restore gut health, a known aggravator of rosacea, offering a natural alternative to traditional pharmaceutical treatments. Ongoing studies continue to explore the potential skin benefits of eliminating gluten from your diet and focusing on gut health.

1. Study Findings on Gluten Sensitivity in Rosacea Patients

Research on gluten and rosacea indicates that people with this skin condition might be more sensitive to gluten.⁴ This sensitivity can intensify their symptoms, making gluten-free diets a valuable recommendation in treatment strategies. (Always check with your personal physician before making any changes to your diet.)

• Diet and Rosacea: The Role of Dietary Change in the Management of Rosacea – This study suggests that avoiding certain foods might help manage rosacea by supporting a healthy gut. It discusses how a balanced gut can lead to clearer skin​​.⁵
• Rosacea, Germs, and Bowels: A Review on Gastrointestinal Comorbidities and Gut–Skin Axis of Rosacea – Research highlights the link between gastrointestinal health and skin condition. It explains that treating specific gut issues may help reduce rosacea flare-ups​​.⁶

2. Link Between Wheat Allergy and Rosacea Symptoms

Immediate allergic reactions to wheat can also trigger rosacea symptoms. Identifying and removing wheat from your diet might bring noticeable improvements in skin health.

• Gluten Intolerance and Its Association With Skin Disorders: A Narrative Review – This review explores how gluten sensitivity can aggravate skin issues like rosacea. It emphasizes the benefits of a gluten-free diet in easing skin inflammation and improving overall skin health.

The Impact of Dietary Changes on Rosacea

How Does Gluten Intolerance & Inflammation Affect Rosacea Flare-ups?

Gluten intolerance and its related inflammation can directly contribute to rosacea flare-ups, affecting blood vessels and worsening the skin condition. Eliminating gluten may stabilize your immune response and reduce skin irritation.

Can a Gluten-Free Diet Help Manage Rosacea?

Many find that addressing gluten and rosacea through a gluten-free diet reduces rosacea-related inflammation and enhances their overall quality of life due to improved gut health. This simple dietary shift could be the key to managing your symptoms more effectively.

Yet, not all rosacea has a link to gut health.

While many rosacea cases are linked to gut health, it’s not universal. Some people still develop rosacea without any gastrointestinal problems such IBS or food sensitivities. This is where rosacea can be so confusing, because it appears in different people for different reasons. There is no one quick fix, and for many, addressing gluten and gut health may be a key factor.

“I would encourage you to experiment with gluten-free foods for at least a month and see what happens. For some of you there will be no change, but for many of you, the elimination of gluten will allow the gut healing process to begin. When your gut is not bombarded with gluten at every meal, it can begin to regenerate the cell wall and produce the enzymes necessary for food breakdown and nutrient absorption. When your liver is not overburdened by detoxifying glyphosate, nitrates, coloring, flavoring, caffeine and synthetic sweeteners at every meal, it can begin to break down the toxins that are already waiting to be processed.”

Dr. Tara O’Desky, The Rosacea Method

For those whose skin doesn’t improve after trying a gluten-free diet, exploring other potential causes of rosacea symptoms might be beneficial.

Gluten and Rosacea: 4 Tips for Healing Your Skin

Gluten & Rosacea Tip # 1: Experiment with Gluten-Free

• Considering gluten’s undeniable role in gut disruption and chronic inflammation, trying a gluten-free diet might help calm your rosacea symptoms and promote gut health. Gluten can actually stay in your body for many weeks after consumption, so a week usually is not enough time to see a change! (Always check with your personal physician before making any changes to your diet.)

Gluten & Rosacea Tip # 2: Personal Response to Diet

• Remember, not everyone is sensitive to gluten. If cutting out gluten doesn’t improve your rosacea, there are still many other factors to consider.

Gluten & Rosacea Tip # 3: Observe Changes During Illness Eating Habits

• If your skin clears up when your diet drastically changes (during an illness, for example), it could be a sign that dietary allergens such as gluten are influencing your rosacea.

Gluten & Rosacea Tip # 4: Embrace Clean Eating

• Switch to organic, non-GMO foods free from added dyes, flavors, and other chemicals. Clean eating not only supports your skin but enhances overall health, reducing your body’s toxic burden.

Beyond Rosacea: Other skin issues linked to gluten

It’s not just rosacea—other skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis have also responded well to a gluten-free diet (GFD). Reducing gluten intake can be a crucial step in managing these conditions and improving skin health.

Skin Disorders Related to Gluten Intolerance⁷:

• Rosacea
• Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis (AD)
• Psoriasis ⁸
• Vitiligo depigmentation
• Alopecia Areata hair-loss
• Hives or Chronic Urticaria
• Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) ⁹
• Palmoplantar Pustulosis
• Canker Sores or Aphthous Stomatitis
• Hereditary Angioedema
• Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis

Gastrointestinal Diseases Related to Rosacea¹⁰:

• Celiac Disease (CeD)
• Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrom (IBS)
• Chron’s Disease (CD
• Ulcerative colitis (UC)
• Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI)

Living Gluten-Free: Testimonials and Professional Advice

Gluten-free diets have effectively alleviated symptoms of multiple skin conditions by reducing autoimmune and inflammatory responses. Consistent adherence to such diets is often recommended for lasting benefits.

Healthcare professionals increasingly recommend eliminating gluten to patients with rosacea to help manage their condition effectively. Such dietary advice is based on overwhelming research connecting gluten to poor gut health, and poor gut health to rosacea.

Testimonials on Gluten-Free Lifestyle and Skin Improvement

Countless success stories underline the positive effects of a gluten-free lifestyle on skin health. Individuals often report significant improvements in their rosacea, backed by professional advice that underscores the benefits of this dietary approach.

Cut Gluten and Rosacea Symptoms May Finally Clear Up!

Rosacea healing takes time. This can’t be emphasized enough.

Two weeks of a new healthy nutrition is just not enough time for your rosacea to heal.

While gluten is often a contributing factor in your rosacea diagnosis, it is usually just one piece of the puzzle.

There are multiple other factors involved, ranging from household toxin exposure to eye mites to negative thoughts.

Problems with the inner workings of your body caused rosacea to appear in the first place; healing must start on the inside, and the results will show in your skin, given time.

So, if you’re ready to tackle this from the inside out, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Discover how The Rosacea Method can guide you to clear, healthy skin.

FAQs on the Gluten and Rosacea Connection

References

1. Weiss E, Katta R. Diet and rosacea: the role of dietary change in the management of rosacea. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2017 Oct 31;7(4):31-37. doi: 10.5826/dpc.0704a08. PMID: 29214107; PMCID: PMC5718124.  ↩︎
2. Weiss E, Katta R. Diet and rosacea: the role of dietary change in the management of rosacea. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2017 Oct 31;7(4):31-37. doi: 10.5826/dpc.0704a08. PMID: 29214107; PMCID: PMC5718124. ↩︎
3. Bell KA, Pourang A, Mesinkovska NA, Cardis MA. The effect of gluten on skin and hair: a systematic review. Dermatol Online J. 2021 Apr 15;27(4):13030/qt2qz916r0. PMID: 33999573. ↩︎
4. Vats V, Makineni P, Hemaida S, Haider A, Subramani S, Kaur N, Butt AN, Scott-Emuakpor R, Zahir M, Mathew M, Iqbal J. Gluten Intolerance and Its Association With Skin Disorders: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2023 Sep 1;15(9):e44549. doi: 10.7759/cureus.44549. PMID: 37790051; PMCID: PMC10544948. ↩︎
5. Weiss E, Katta R. Diet and rosacea: the role of dietary change in the management of rosacea. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2017 Oct 31;7(4):31-37. doi: 10.5826/dpc.0704a08. PMID: 29214107; PMCID: PMC5718124 ↩︎
6. Losurdo G, Principi M, Iannone A, Amoruso A, Ierardi E, Di Leo A, Barone M. Extra-intestinal manifestations of non-celiac gluten sensitivity: An expanding paradigm. World J Gastroenterol. 2018 Apr 14;24(14):1521-1530. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i14.1521. PMID: 29662290; PMCID: PMC5897856. ↩︎
7. Vats V, Makineni P, Hemaida S, Haider A, Subramani S, Kaur N, Butt AN, Scott-Emuakpor R, Zahir M, Mathew M, Iqbal J. Gluten Intolerance and Its Association With Skin Disorders: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2023 Sep 1;15(9):e44549. doi: 10.7759/cureus.44549. PMID: 37790051; PMCID: PMC10544948. ↩︎
8. Bhatia BK, Millsop JW, Debbaneh M, Koo J, Linos E, Liao W. Diet and psoriasis, part II: celiac disease and role of a gluten-free diet. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Aug;71(2):350-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.017. Epub 2014 Apr 26. PMID: 24780176; PMCID: PMC4104239. ↩︎
9. Ohlsen BA. Acupuncture and a gluten-free diet relieve urticaria and eczema in a case of undiagnosed dermatitis herpetiformis and atypical or extraintestinal celiac disease: a case report. J Chiropr Med. 2011 Dec;10(4):294-300. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2011.06.003. PMID: 22654688; PMCID: PMC3315874. ↩︎
10. Losurdo G, Principi M, Iannone A, Amoruso A, Ierardi E, Di Leo A, Barone M. Extra-intestinal manifestations of non-celiac gluten sensitivity: An expanding paradigm. World J Gastroenterol. 2018 Apr 14;24(14):1521-1530. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i14.1521. PMID: 29662290; PMCID: PMC5897856. ↩︎

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Tara O’Desky nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.