Foods That May Cause Skin Breakouts

Almost everyone has experienced acne at some point in their lives or some sort of breakout or rash. These breakouts can sometimes be traced back to some underlying illness, but often times they are a result of something we ate. While there are many foods that can cause our skin to develop bumps, blisters, or redness, some are found to be the culprit more than others.

Cow’s Milk

While cow’s milk is thought to be an essential part of our diet, there are many who experience breakouts if they drink too much. For example, those with sensitive skin might need to look into cutting down their milk intake to less than 3 glasses of milk a day, possibly down to one glass a week, if they are experiencing unexplained breakouts. Acne is formed because of excess cellular debris in the hair follicles, and some dermatologists believe that there is a direct correlation between cow’s milk and acne because of the hormones in the milk. Some good alternatives to cow’s milk would be rice, hemp, almond, or coconut milk.

Allergens

Certain allergens have been known to be the cause of skin breakouts. Some of the more common allergens that may lead to the skin breaking out in hives include milk, peanuts, wheat, eggs, soy, fish, shellfish, and nuts. The major way to determine whether or not you are allergic to one of these foods is if you get a skin rash, redness, or swelling around the mouth immediately after consuming one of these foods. Some other symptoms of an allergic reaction may also include cramping, shortness of breath, dizziness, or elevated heart rate. Once you have found the suspect food, it’s up to your physician to conclude that you really are allergic to that it, and that the symptoms you are experiencing aren’t from some underlying illness. Because anaphylactic shock is extremely dangerous and may lead to death, it’s important to keep medications on hand in case of accidental ingestion.

Gluten

Wheat, barley, and rye contain proteins called gluten, which can destroy intestinal villi and in turn cause rashes or skin breakouts. An easy way to avoid these breakouts? Eliminate dietary gluten from your diet and chances are you’ll also eliminate those rashes. Gluten intolerance is also often associated with nutritional deficiencies and autoimmune disorders, and medications can be prescribed in severe cases.

Wine

Wine contains tannins that may cause flushing of the skin or hives, and they are more commonly found in red wine than white wine. Moderation is key when drinking wine, and many believe that as long as you are consuming small amounts, your skin condition shouldn’t worsen.

The bottom line…

If you find that your skin condition isn’t getting any better by eliminating certain foods, it’s important to talk to a health care provider because these symptoms don’t always point to foods as the culprit. Just remember that you are what you eat, and as long as you’re putting the good stuff into your body, you and your skin will reap the rewards.