Gluten Intolerance and Pimples on the Upper Arms

Even though gluten intolerance is often confused with celiac disease, it has no autoimmune basis. Its symptoms are nonspecific, so its more difficult to diagnose.

Written and verified by the doctor Nelton Abdon Ramos Rojas.

Last update: 11 June, 2022

We keep hearing more and more about the connection between gluten intolerance and pimples on the upper arms. It’s a disorder that, while not serious like celiac disease, also affects different parts of the body when people consume foods containing this protein.

However, in this article, we’d like to talk to you about the relationship between gluten intolerance and pimples on the arms that appear without any apparent cause.

Celiac disease affects the entire body

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by permanent intolerance to all foods containing gluten. This is usually an inherited condition, Celiac disease can manifest at any time during one’s life.

Gluten is wheat, barley, and rye products. In addition, some refer to it as TACC (in food labeling) and you can find it in all processed foods made from these grains.

Upon eating gluten, a person with celiac disease suffers an immune response that releases antibodies that not only affect the digestive system but also the entire body.

Is gluten intolerance the same as celiac disease?

Several disorders have come out in recent years that associate with varying degrees of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. In these cases, the intolerance to gluten doesn’t have an autoimmune base. However, it may relate to other, yet unknown factors.

The problem is that the disorder is more difficult to diagnose. In addition, the symptoms may appear gradually and are easy to confuse with other health problems. For this reason, it’s so important to be aware of the symptoms of gluten intolerance.

Gluten intolerance and pimples on the arms

Some people get tiny pimples on their arms. This symptom, medically known as keratosis pilaris, is an excess of keratin that appears on the upper arms. It is a result of a deficiency in vitamin A and essential fatty acids.

Poor nutrition doesn’t cause this deficiency. However, gluten intolerance progressively damages the intestine and prevents the absorption of fat.

So, in order to find out if your upper arm pimples are linked to this protein, let’s take a look at some of the other symptoms.

Other symptoms

In addition to pimples on your arms, gluten intolerance can also lead to:

• Inflammation or pain in the joints
• Anxiety, depression, or mood swings
• Migraines, these are almost always linked with digestive problems, although it’s not always gluten
• Hormonal irregularities. It’s easy for women to determine if their cycles are irregular or painful if they’re infertile or have miscarried.
• Exhaustion or fatigue, especially after eating foods containing gluten (pasta, biscuits, bread, etc.). Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia should also be taken into consideration.

If you have a family history of autoimmune disorders (thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, etc.), then you are at a greater risk for suffering from this intolerance.

How do I know if I have a gluten intolerance?

If you have several of these symptoms, then you should make an appointment with your doctor for testing and diagnosis to help confirm or rule out this disorder. However, the tests are not always 100% reliable. In some cases, the test results may be negative despite there being some degree of gluten sensitivity.

Another way to find out if you have intolerance is to completely eliminate gluten from your diet for a month. You need to be strict as your body needs time to remove the toxins that undigested gluten leaves in the body and vigilant when it comes to product labeling. If you eat out, always ask if the food contains flour. 

After a month, try reintroducing gluten into your diet and keep an eye out for any symptoms. In case you suspect you might have celiacs, the most appropriate thing is that you see a doctor.