Gluten, Gut and Skin: 23 Signs of a Possible Gluten Intolerance or Coeliac Disease
- Marcelline Goyen
- Nov 17, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Exploring the intricate link between gut health, skin conditions and gluten sensitivity on the skin–gut axis
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: gluten intolerance, coeliac disease and the skin.
Gluten intolerance and coeliac disease may not immediately spring to mind when someone suffers from recurring skin issues, fatigue or gut problems. Yet the connection is clear: when your gut is disturbed, your skin often speaks the truth.
At Skin‑Gut Axis we emphasise that healthy skin often comes from inside — from the gut, the microbiome and a balanced immune system. (SKIN GUT AXIS) In this article, you will discover 23 clinically-relevant signs that point to possible gluten intolerance or coeliac disease — and how these signs link with gut health, the microbiome, skin symptoms and systemic wellness.
2. Understanding gluten intolerance vs coeliac disease
Before diving into the signs, let’s clarify the difference:
Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where ingestion of gluten triggers inflammation and damage in the small intestine.
Non-coeliac gluten intolerance (also sometimes called non-coeliac gluten sensitivity) is a condition in which individuals react negatively to gluten but do not fulfil the diagnostic criteria for coeliac disease.
Both conditions can disturb gut function, microbiome balance and immune responses — and both may impact skin health via the skin–gut connection.
3. The skin–gut axis: how your gut health affects your skin
The concept of the skin–gut axis emphasises that our skin and gut are closely interconnected organs. Research shows that disturbances in gut microbiota, increased intestinal permeability (so-called “leaky gut”), immune activation and inflammatory mediators can show up as skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne or rosacea. (MDPI)
At Skin-Gut-Axis Bookshop we teach that by looking at the gut and the skin as a single integrated system, one can often uncover the root causes of persistent skin issues. (SKIN GUT AXIS)
When gluten enters the picture — whether through intolerance or coeliac disease — the gut disturbance can ripple through to skin and other organs. That is why recognising early signs is so important.
4. 23 Signs of Gluten Intolerance or Coeliac Disease
Here you’ll find a detailed list of signs that may indicate gluten intolerance or coeliac disease. If you recognise several of these, particularly in combination with gut or skin symptoms, it may be worth exploring further (see section 6).
4.1 Signs 1 – 8
1. Irregular bowel movements
Recurring constipation, sudden diarrhoea or persistent abdominal pain may indicate gluten sensitivity.
2. Unusual stool characteristics
Strong-smelling, greasy or floating stools can signal malabsorption of fats or nutrients — a hallmark of coeliac disease.
3. Digestive discomfort after meals
Feeling bloated, experiencing excess gas, or discomfort in the gut after meals containing gluten is a common reaction.
4. Increased intestinal permeability (so-called “leaky gut”)
Prolonged and untreated gluten exposure may weaken the intestinal barrier, allowing unwanted substances to pass and trigger immune responses.
5. Unexplained changes in body weight
Both unintentional weight loss and weight gain can occur — for example, due to nutrient malabsorption or metabolic imbalance.
6. Vitamin B12 deficiency
Impaired absorption in the small intestine may lead to low B12 levels, fatigue, reduced immune function or neurological symptoms.
7. Symptoms in young children
In children, a swollen belly, crying, growth delays or failure to thrive may correlate with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease.
8. Recurrent mouth ulcers
Frequent aphthous ulcers are sometimes a reflection of immune dysregulation in the gut, worth considering in the context of gluten exposure.
4.2 Signs 9 – 16
9. Mood changes or depressive symptoms
Feeling fatigued, experiencing low mood or “brain fog” after gluten-rich meals can suggest a gut–brain–skin axis involvement.
10. Reduced fertility or reproductive issues
Coeliac disease has been linked to fertility challenges and increased miscarriage risk when untreated.
11. Frequent headaches or migraines
Headaches may be connected to gluten-related inflammation, nutrient deficiencies or gut-brain communication issues.
12. Association with autoimmune diseases
There is a higher prevalence of skin autoimmune diseases (like psoriasis or eczema), rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or MS in people with coeliac disease.
13. Persistent fatigue and brain fog
Ongoing exhaustion, especially after gluten consumption, is a red flag that should not be ignored.
14. Keratosis pilaris (“chicken skin”)
Small bumps on the outer skin of upper arms or thighs may be tied to fat malabsorption or nutrient deficiency in gluten intolerance.
15. Dermatitis herpetiformis
A very itchy, blistering rash that is strongly linked to coeliac disease and gluten exposure.
16. Severe or widespread eczema
Wheat or gluten sensitivity may intensify inflammatory skin reactions, beyond common eczema triggers.
4.3 Signs 17 – 23
17. Easy bruising
A vitamin K deficiency or fat-soluble vitamin malabsorption may present as increased bruising — a subtle but telling sign.
18. Nail abnormalities
Brittle nails, ridges or unexplained breaks may reflect impaired nutrient uptake due to gut disturbance.
19. Pain or sensitivity at the hair roots
Some people with gluten intolerance report discomfort or inflammation at the level of hair follicles.
20. Dizziness and balance issues
Neurological symptoms, including dizziness, vertigo or balance problems, have been observed in untreated coeliac disease.
21. Fibromyalgia-like pain
Chronic muscle pain, fatigue and joint stiffness may worsen with gluten exposure — potentially via systemic inflammation.
22. Higher risk of other conditions
Beyond classic gut/skin symptoms, untreated coeliac disease correlates with higher incidence of type 1 diabetes, autism spectrum, Sjögren’s syndrome and even Down syndrome.
23. Increased allergy sensitivity
A stressed intestinal barrier can heighten susceptibility to food allergies, environmental allergens or skin reactions.
5. What to do if you recognise several signs
If you tick off several of the above signs — especially across gut, skin and systemic categories — here's a practical roadmap:
Keep a symptom diary: track your meals (with gluten/no-gluten), skin flare-ups, gut symptoms, mood changes, etc.
Link your observations: note any pattern between gluten (or wheat) consumption and gut/skin reactions.
Consult a health professional: a gastroenterologist, dietitian or gut-focused therapist can assess further.
Begin lifestyle and diet adjustments: even while awaiting testing, small steps like reducing processed gluten /wheat foods, increasing fibre, and supporting gut health can help.
Explore gut-skin axis interventions: at Skin-Gut Axis we emphasise the value of microbiome support, gut barrier healing and anti-inflammatory nutrition.
6. Testing, diagnosis and next steps
How is gluten intolerance or coeliac disease tested?
Blood tests (tTG antibodies, EMA, total IgA) for both gluten intolerance and coeliac disease.
If gluten intolerance or coeliac is suspected, you must still be consuming gluten to avoid false negatives.
A small-intestine biopsy remains the gold standard for confirming coeliac disease.
Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity is more of a diagnosis of exclusion — no specific biomarker yet.
Note: it's even possible to get a (falsely) negative test result, even though you clearly react to gluten. The elimination diet (gluten-free eating) is your "test" and “answer” in that case.
Important considerations
If you start a gluten-free diet before testing, results may be inaccurate.
Always work with a qualified professional when considering diet elimination.
Even if tests are negative, but symptoms persist, a gut–skin axis view may still uncover underlying causes (microbiome imbalance, gut permeability, dysbiosis).
7. Prevention & management: nourishing your gut-skin connection
Once you suspect or have a diagnosis of gluten intolerance or coeliac disease, managing the condition becomes about more than just avoiding gluten. Here are key strategies:
Strict gluten exclusion (if coeliac) or guided elimination (if sensitivity).
Support gut barrier integrity: foods rich in fibre, prebiotics/probiotics, fermented foods. Recent research shows gut microbiota imbalance links to skin inflammation. (ScienceDirect)
Focus on skin-friendly nutrition: omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins A/C/E and K, zinc and B-vitamins.
Reduce systemic inflammation: via anti-inflammatory diet (e.g., Mediterranean style), stress management, sleep support.
Monitor skin changes: keep track of how your skin responds over weeks-months after dietary/gut changes.
Work with integrative practitioners: at Skin-Gut Axis we integrate gut therapy with skin therapy to address root causes — not just symptoms. (SKIN GUT AXIS)
8. FAQ
Q1: What is the difference between gluten intolerance and coeliac disease?
A: Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition with measurable intestinal damage when gluten is ingested. Gluten intolerance (or non-coeliac gluten sensitivity) involves adverse reactions to gluten without the classic intestinal biopsy findings.
Q2: Can gluten intolerance cause skin problems?
A: Yes — via the skin–gut axis. Gut barrier disruption, microbiome imbalance and chronic inflammation triggered by gluten exposure may manifest as skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis herpetiformis or keratosis pilaris.
Q3: If I stop eating gluten, will my skin automatically improve?
A: Not necessarily automatically. While removing gluten is important, you also need to support the gut microbiome, ensure nutrient sufficiency, reduce inflammation and follow skin-gut axis principles for full effect.
Q4: How many of the 23 signs should I have before I worry?
A: It’s not about counting a threshold, but about patterns. If you recognise multiple signs across gut, skin, systemic or neurological categories — especially new worsening symptoms — it’s worth exploring further.
Q5: Can children have coeliac disease with skin signs?
A: Absolutely. In children, signs such as growth delay, swollen belly, recurrent mouth ulcers or dermatitis may correlate with gluten-related gut issues. Early recognition is beneficial.
9. Conclusion and Call-to-Action
Gluten intolerance or coeliac disease isn’t just about gut cramps and digestion — it can ripple outwards via the skin–gut axis and manifest as persistent skin issues, mood changes, nutrient deficiencies and systemic symptoms. At Skin‑Gut Axis we believe that healthy skin comes from both the outside and the inside. (SKIN GUT AXIS Bookshop)
If you recognise several of the 23 signs listed above, this is your invitation to take a holistic view: begin a symptom diary, adjust diet and lifestyle, and consult a knowledgeable practitioner. The connection between your gut and your skin is real — and addressing gluten sensitivity or coeliac disease may unlock smoother skin, steadier energy and better overall well-being.
Ready to dig deeper?👉 Explore our book collection on the skin–gut axis, check our blog for more in-depth articles or contact us for a professional consultation tailored to your skin-gut health.👉 Share this article with someone who might benefit — knowledge is power, but sharing knowledge creates impact.
Let’s help your skin shine from the inside out.
Marcelline Goyen BSc Skin Therapy & Author
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