Is IBS Causing Your Acne and Eczema?
Addressing IBS naturopathically for healthier & Clearer skin
Many people who see me for holistic acne and eczema treatment know that their gut health is linked to their skin health.
And, many of them tell me that they think they might have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) because of constant bloat and gut issues they experience.
When looking at the science, gut health has been linked to acne, eczema, rosacea, and other skin conditions. And, IBS has specifically been connected to acne, eczema, and rosacea.
So, IBS may be something worthwhile to look into if someone has gut issues AND skin issues!
And I have seen that addressing IBS and gut health has helped many of my patients start to achieve healthier & clearer skin!
So, how do we address IBS?!
But, before we get ahead of ourselves, what is IBS? How is it diagnosed? And Then how does a naturopathic doctor address it?
Well, let’s talk about all of these things and more!
Disclaimer: This post does not constitute as medical advice; is not meant to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any medical conditions or disease; and is meant for educational purposes only. The information in this post does not replace the advice of your medical provider. Speak to your doctor before starting anything new OR schedule your appointment with me.
What is irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is commonly diagnosed, and it can look like a combination of gas, bloat, bowel movement changes, and abdominal pain/discomfort.
Specific changes in bowel movements can include diarrhea, constipation, and a mix of both constipation and diarrhea.
And with these different bowel movement changes, there are three different types of IBS: IBS-D (diarrhea), IBS-C (constipation), and IBS-M (mixed diarrhea and constipation).
How is IBS Diagnosed?
IBS is considered a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that conditions that look like IBS need to be ruled-out first before an IBS diagnosis can be considered.
And, once diagnosis can be considered, IBS is diagnosed via the Rome IV Diagnostic criteria.
Conditions that look like IBS that need to be ruled-out first are:
Celiac disease
Colorectal cancer
Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis
Drug use
Gastrointestinal infections
Hyperthyroidism/Hypothyroidism
Inflammatory bowel disease - Crohn Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Lactose intolerance
An in-depth intake will help a doctor understand what conditions need to be ruled out, and labs and other work-up may be necessary to rule-out/rule-in conditions.
Once conditions are ruled out, the Rome IV Criteria for the diagnosis of IBS states:
Recurrent abdominal pain on average at least 1 day/week in the last 3 months, associated with two or more of the following criteria*:
Related to defecation
Associated with a change in frequency of stool
Associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool
*Criteria fulfilled for the last 3 months with symptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis
What causes IBS?
As a licensed naturopathic doctor, I am always asking why does something happen. Understanding the Why helps me know how to best treat root causes of someone’s issues. So, what these root, underlying IBS?
HEre are Some root, underlying issues contributing to IBS:
Commensal intestinal bacteria/yeast overgrowth:
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is when there is too much good (or commensal) bacteria in the small intestine, leading to symptoms of IBS. There are some risk factors for SIBO, such as frequent use of acid blockers to reduce heartburn; intestinal motility disorders and abnormalities in the migrating motor complex; gastric bypass surgery; and more.
Small intestinal fungal/yeast overgrowth (SIFO) could also be a cause of IBS, and is described as the presence of excess numbers of fungal organisms in the small intestine. Common symptoms seen in those with SIFO are belching, bloating, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, and gas.
Psychiatric & mood disorders
There is a link between psychiatric disorders and IBS, with psychiatric disorders found in 94% of those seeking IBS treatment and psychiatric interventions improving IBS symptoms.
Stress & Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction
The HPA axis is involved in the stress response where the hypothalamus in the brain senses physical and emotional stressors, then sends signals to the pituitary gland to activate the adrenals to release cortisol and neurotransmitters called catecholamines.
And, brain signals, cortisol, and catecholamines have been reported to be higher in those with IBS.
Additionally, stress often worsens symptoms in those with IBS, indicating that there is a link between stress, gut health, and IBS.
Post-infectious IBS
Post-infectious IBS is a when someone experiences symptoms of IBS after acute gastroenteritis, and can happen in 5-32% of the general population. Disease-causing bacteria that have been identified to cause post-infectious IBS are: Campylobacter, Shigella, Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli).
Several factors can potentially take place after acute gastroenteritis that can lead to IBS symptoms, such as intestinal inflammation, intestinal permeability, gluten intolerance, and more.
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)
EPI is when the pancreas cannot make enough natural digestive enzymes to help break down for for nutrient absorption. This can then lead to abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, gas, and more.
Food intolerance
The mechanism as to how food intolerance plays a role in IBS is yet to be fully understood, but there is evidence that reveals that dietary elimination and food challenges can improve IBS symptoms in some.
What are some natural IBS options?
The amazing thing about working with a licensed naturopathic doctor is that you get a provider who wants to address your primary concerns from a 360º point-of-view.
Licensed naturopathic doctors want to truly address your goals holistically, and when it comes to acne and eczema, it also means addressing your gut health!
Licensed naturopathic doctors are also trained in integrative medicine, meaning that we are trained in conventional medicine and natural medicine.
So, you can capture a vast array of treatment options while addressing the root issues of your skin issues (and IBS) when you work with a licensed naturopathic doctor.
So, what are some natural Options for IBS?
Diet: There are several dietary options that can address various root issues of IBS, such as options that support gut bacteria balance, optimal adrenal function, and address food intolerance.
Lifestyle: Much like diet, lifestyle medicine is one of the foundational pillars of naturopathic treatment. When it comes to lifestyle medicine, there are options that a licensed provider may recommend to support optimal adrenal function and support healthy gut movement.
Herbal medicine: There are many herbal medicine options that could be recommended for someone with IBS. However, what’s recommended depends on what the underlying root issue is. If someone’s labs indicate that they have gut bacteria imbalance, there are several herbal preparations that a licensed provider might recommend. If a patient has adrenal dysfunction, there are herbs that can support optimal stress response and energy at different points throughout the day.
Vitamin, mineral, and amino acid supplementation: Much like with herbal medicine, there are many supplements that your licensed naturopathic doctor can recommend to you depending on what someone’s underlying root issues are.
Takeaway: Testing will inform your doctor what your options are. While there are various foundational options that can be recommended from the get-go, other options will depend on what your lab results show. So, work with a licensed naturopathic doctor to treat the root cause of your gut issues for healthier and clearer skin!
If you want to see me, I see patients in-person and virtually. The only caveat is that since I am only licensed in the state of California, I can only see patients who are physically in the state of California (especially for telehealth patients).
If you are outside the state a California, a great resource to find a licensed naturoapthic doctor in your state is the Institute for Natural Medicine’s directory: https://naturemed.org/find-an-nd/.
Want to learn about skin health from a holistic & integrative POV? Read my articles on:
To stay up-to-date about future articles on my website, click here sure to sign up for my email newsletter. And, if you want to set up an appointment with me, click here.