Skin Care with SIBO

The skin and gut organ systems share a lot in common - they are both barriers separating and protecting our insides from the outside world (the gut barrier is also outside the body), and both have microbiome ecosystems of their own. Both play key roles as defenders against external pathogenic threats and are large players in the neuroendocrine messaging system, containing nerves that send and receive signals from the brain, with the ability to send messages to other parts of the body. It is well known that hives is a common symptom of food allergies which are directly linked and influenced by the health of our gut microbiome(1) and what we eat affects the health of our guts, microbiome and skin(2). Epidemiological evidence reinforces this, demonstrating a clear association between gut problems and skin disorders with studies showing that both stress and gut inflammation can impair the integrity and protective function of the epidermal barrier(3). Our gut microbiome - an integral part of gut health and overall health in the body - also profoundly affects our skin and influences auto-immune conditions(4). 

“Intestinal permeability (a.k.a. “leaky gut”) causes both systemic and local inflammation, which in turn contributes to skin disease.”(3) 

Intestinal Permeability = Food Intolerance

The intestinal epithelial lining forms a barrier that separates and protects us from the external environments. This ‘gut barrier’ is a functional unit, organised as a multi-layer system and along with the skin organ system, acts as a first-line defense against outside microbial threats. It is the function of this specialised barrier to block the entry of a diverse range of exterior antigens while absorbing nutrients(5), and controlling the equilibrium between tolerance and immunity to nonself-antigens (autoimmunity). In pathologic conditions such as SIBO, the permeability of the epithelial lining can become compromised and damaged. As a result, the finely tuned trafficking of macromolecules is dysregulated and the barrier’s intercellular tight junctions allow the passage of toxins, pathogens, antigens, and bacteria to enter the bloodstream, creating a “leaky gut.” These environmental factors which then enter the body trigger the initiation and development of both intestinal and extraintestinal autoimmune disorders(6). As well as absorbing nutrients, the intestinal mucosa also faces tremendous exterior antigens, including food antigens. Thus, undigested food particles enter the blood, stimulating an allergic/immune response which we call a “food intolerance”. We discuss in depth exactly how SIBO causes leaky gut on the Healing the Gut + AI page and SIBO + Autoimmunity connection in depth via the link. 

Dysbiosis & Skin Conditions

SIBO can also be referred to as Dysbiosis. In the gut, the disruption of the microbiome’s cellular components — or dysbiosis — can trigger a range of ailments which have been linked to obesity, dermatitis, autoimmune/allergic diseases, neurological imbalances such as autism as well as chronic gut conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome(7). 

As SIBO is a major cause of leaky gut syndrome, it can also be linked to various conditions, including a wide range of autoimmune diseases, migraines, food sensitivities, skin conditions, brain fog and chronic fatigue(8). 

The AutoImmune Protocol

The AIP diet aims to eliminate certain foods which can “leak” into the bloodstream, causing further inflammation in the body and initiating the auto immune/allergic response. The AIP diet avoids foods which are harder to digest such as nuts, seeds and grains, which if not broken down successfully, leak into the body, stimulating an autoimmune response, inflammation and further gut damage. We discuss this in more depth on the SIBO Diet page.

The more damaged an individual’s intestinal epithelial lining has become (commonly the result of intestinal pathology), the more advanced their state of autoimmunity and thus, the more degraded the health of their skin (including scalp and hair). Skin conditions and complaints common in SIBO-sufferers and individuals with chronic gut dysfunction can come in “bouts” lasting for hours, weeks or days, depending on the severity of the autoimmune/allergic reaction - 

• Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) - the most common and visible SIBO symptom and SIBO-caused skin condition
• Dermatitis - a vague umbrella term used to diagnose skin irritations. This term most commonly refers to itchy, dry skin which can be swollen and reddened. This includes Seborrheic Dermatitis or scalp dermatitis, which affects the scalp specifically. The appearance can vary hugely, from large raised angry red patches to stinging nettle rashes/contact dermatitis
• Skin Rash - another vague term which describes a large area of skin which is dry, moist, bumpy, smooth, cracked, or blistered; they can be painful, itchy, and even change color
• Hair Loss - there can be many causes for hair loss and we are certain that the combination of being on the nutrient-deficient SIBO diet for so long, combined with poor gut and skin health, has caused our hair to thin. Research is showing a link between depleted gut microbiome populations and hair loss.

“If you've ever blushed from embarrassment, you know that your skin can reflect what you're feeling inside. It makes sense, then, that emotional trouble might show up as skin trouble.”(9) 

"All parts of the body react to our emotions...it's the border between the inside and the outside, (and) it's full of all the intrigue and byplay that accompanies being on the border."(10) 

The psychological dimension of skin conditions are now being addressed medically. It is well known that psychological factors such as stress can activate or worsen certain skin conditions and that the bond between skin and mind has deep roots, going back at least as far as skin-to-skin contact between newborn and mother. Its now recognised that there is a fundamental link between mental health, immune health and gut function and skin health, with mind-body relaxation techniques being increasingly deployed by medical establishments to provide relief from autoimmune and skin condition symptoms such as eczema and psoriasis(10). This is a whole topic in and of itself but the referenced articles above further reinforce the findings that we present, regarding the mind-body connection and how mental health and wellbeing is a vital part of full-body health, discussed on our Mental Wellbeing and Meditation + Neuroplasticity pages. 

As our SIBO cases are chronic, we've both experienced these external skin symptoms and the gut-skin connection directly. My (Sophie) SIBO first appeared in the form of the autoimmune condition eczema. These eczema bouts repeatedly and rapidly became infected, turning into full-body bacterial skin infections which caused many A+E and doctor visits, antibiotic treatment, plus steroids and antihistamines. This vicious cycle (I didn’t know that my diet was feeding the SIBO which caused the eczema bouts) continued and affected my quality of life for 2+ years by and caused further damage to my gut - avoid antibiotics at all cost! It caused severe dermatitis, rashes and scalp dermatitis. During this time I had more antibiotic courses than I could count - sometimes as many as x2 per month - as the skin bacteria became resistant to certain types. I also was given intravenous and topical steroids and antihistamines - in a nutshell, it was a nightmare. The doctors were at a loss and had no idea how to prevent the eczema, let alone stop it becoming infected. NEVER RELY ON DOCTORS! After tonnes of my own research and trying literally everything from honey to crushed garlic (so smelly!) and essential oil mixes, I finally stumbled across MooGoo (see below) which is a completely natural cream which stopped the eczema infections and I have not been to A+E since I started using it :) 

When I finally saw Dermatologists, I was diagnosed with “Good old fashioned, incurable eczema”, and they did not believe that my skin reactions were being caused by a gut issue and the food I was eating. I was dismissed, just like that, my hope momentarily crushed. Encounters like these remind us of the importance of harbouring healthy scepticism, even with medical professionals, and take doctors’ diagnoses and hypothesis with a large pinch of salt! Always conduct your own thorough research, be your own doctor and take control of your own health.

Gina has also experienced these symptoms - scalp dermatitis, eczema, rashes and full-body dermatitis - and so we both searched for products which brought us relief, and which would not compromise the health of our skin; many shop-bought products contain chemicals which strip skin of its protective microbial and fatty-acid epidermal barriers. We hope you find these products as helpful (and life-saving) as we have!

Aloe is cooling, soothing, hydrating and highly anti-inflammatory. Used together with coconut oil it helps your skin absorb the oil so you aren’t covered in a greasy layer for hours! Coconut oil is composed primarily of nourishing fatty acids and rich in lauric acid which is also present in breast milk. It aids skin repair and general maintenance, while moisturising adding an antimicrobial and antifungal protective layer, soothing the skin, reducing irritation and itching and lowering the risk of infection.

Both are so gentle they can be used anywhere, even on the face. The raw/cold-pressed oil is the best as it still contains the vitamins and other goodness from the coconut which is stripped away when the oil is processed. 

We don’t promote products unless they are life-changing. This is one of them. Before finding MooGoo Irritable Skin Balm, each eczema bout rapidly became infected leading to course of antibiotics after antibiotics. This year and a half long nightmare degraded my gut health that I could barely digest food, not to mention all of the other health issues they caused! Out of desperation I spent a lot of time online trying to find a natural alternative to cure the infection. This is what I found and I haven’t had a skin infection since. I always carry a small jar of the balm with me wherever I go in case of a flare up. It contains only natural ingredients such as honey and milk proteins (OK when for SIBO sufferers to use topically) and promotes general skin health and maintenance.

Feeding and SIBO die-off produce gases and chemicals released into the bloodstream which the body recognises as foreign. The autoimmune response in the form of eczema, rashes and other inflammatory and immune responses can last for hours or  days depending on how much of the wrong foods are consumed or how bad the die-off is. They appear in the form of hives, “bubble blisters”, traditional looking eczema ,traditional rashes, stinging nettle like rashes or just small bumps which are open and easily get infected. The ONLY thing which soothes when the itching is bad is White Tiger Balm which can be found at any decent Pharmacy or online (where you can buy in bulk and save money). When really bad, apply the balm to affected areas and run under cold water. This cools the skin rapidly and will make you feel really cold but the itching will go completely and you’ll have relief and be able to sleep.

Use something simple and natural such as Oliva olive oil soap. This can be found at most health food shops and also online where you can find discounts. This soap can clog up drains easily so I use a different natural soap bar to wash my hands. Any in eco-packaging will do and the fewer and simpler the ingredients the better. We don’t want to strip away the protective upper-layers of the dermis and the bacterial ecosystems that live there. We need them. 

We've created some of our own Health + Beauty recipes over the years. Check them out :)