Can Food Allergies Cause Acne?
Those who suffer from allergies are well aware of the symptoms that come along with an allergy attack–everything from hives and runny eyes to headaches and skin itchiness. But can allergies contribute to acne breakouts? Acne is caused by a number of factors, including clogged pores, an overproduction of sebum and a surge in hormones. While there is no definitive data linking acne and allergies, there is evidence that inflammation, a common reaction to an allergy, does contribute to acne.
One of the more common allergies that people have is to food–especially dairy. When someone who is allergic to dairy drinks milk or eats cheese, their body reacts with fighting the food as if it were an invading organism. That’s when inflammation develops inside the body and the body’s need to get rid of the “toxin,” in this case the piece of cheese or glass of milk.
It has recently been discovered that a low glycemic diet may in fact help fight acne breakouts. Too many simple carbohydrates, which turn into sugar once inside the body, elevate your levels of the hormone insulin. This spike in insulin then also spikes the androgen hormones, which are directly responsible for overproducing sebum and causing acne breakouts. When you are allergic to high-glycemic foods, the reaction becomes even more pronounced.
A successful acne regimen should be a 360-degree treatment, meaning that diet as well as the proper prescription medications and in-office procedures should be utilized to obtain clear skin forever. We suggest following a South Beach-style diet and getting tested for any allergies to food.
