The SIBO-Skin Connection: How Bacterial Overgrowth Can Relate to Skin Problems

SIBO—or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth—can cause many health issues and symptoms. Of course, many people think that the inflammatory problems associated with SIBO are relegated to the gut, but SIBO can affect other areas of the body, including the body’s largest organ—the skin.

Promising research has found a possible SIBO-skin connection. This research is exciting, not only for offering possible relief for the discomfort of digestive issues but also for alleviating some skin conditions as well. While there’s still much to explore about the link between SIBO and certain skin conditions, here’s what has been discovered thus far.

Digestion and Your Skin

From acne to rosacea to allergic reactions such as hives and dermatitis, the skin is often one of the first organs to show imbalances within the body. Nutrition is an essential component of skin health; with billions of dollars being spent in the health and beauty supplement industry each year, it’s clear that people are becoming more conscious of how digestion impacts the skin. If there are gaps in nutrition causing digestive concerns, it will likely show up on the skin as well.

Rosacea is an inflammatory condition that can be caused by both immune response, hereditary predisposition, and environmental factors. It presents as a reoccurring inflammation of the skin on the face. Often people experience changes in their skin’s texture and appearance; they may also have small bumps known as papules and pustules that resemble acne. Rosacea can be both embarrassing and uncomfortable—causing burning sensations when patients use certain cosmetics, moisturizers, or sunscreen.

Those who suffer from rosacea may experience more flushing and redness than others. Blood vessels in the face can become more visible, and in the case of phymatous rosacea, the skin can become thicker with visible pores and bumps. These effects often present in the center of the face, across the bridge of the nose, on the chin, and cheeks. In the case of ocular rosacea, eyelids can become swollen with stye-like bumps. The eyes can also become irritated and present with more redness.

Rosacea can cause a warm feeling in the face. It can also cause acne-like breakouts that seem to worsen with traditional acne treatments. On skin of color, rosacea may cause darker patches, swelling, and thickening of the skin. While rosacea is most common in white women over the age of 30, it can affect all genders and complexions. Smoking and a family history of rosacea are two of the most common risk factors for this condition.

While many people live with rosacea and manage their symptoms successfully, it can be a frustrating issue that can certainly impact people’s self-image and confidence. Well-known people with rosacea include President Bill Clinton, Princess Diana and her son Prince William, actress Cynthia Nixon, actress Renee Zellweger, and actress Sofia Vergara. Although many people are able to manage their rosacea symptoms, it is typically a life-long affliction.

Many different triggers can exacerbate rosacea. Some of the most common include sunlight, wind, physical exertion, stress, and certain food and drink (spicy foods, hot beverages, alcohol). Often rosacea sufferers can feel as though their skin issues affect many aspects of their life. It can cause embarrassment, shame, discomfort, and lowered self-image. Many people with rosacea may also feel frustrated because it is often difficult to diagnose and resembles other skin conditions.

Like acne, psoriasis, and other skin conditions, the best course of action is to visit a dermatologist to get a diagnosis and begin steps for treatment and management. Understanding the skin-SIBO connection is another way to combat symptoms and start on the road to recovery.

The Connection Between Skin Conditions and SIBO

Researchers have found that there may be a correlation between the incidence of skin disease and gastrointestinal illnesses, including IBS, celiac, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), and SIBO. Irritable bowel syndrome and acne have a strong correlation, as do other stomach problems and acne. Although the causation connection isn’t entirely clear yet, there has been promising evidence that there may be a SIBO-skin correlation, particularly with rosacea.

While the connection is still being studied, some patients have shown a reduction in their rosacea flair-ups when concurrently treating gastrointestinal conditions like SIBO and HP (helicobacter pylori). The response was within as little as ten days from starting treatment in some cases. Doctors or researchers do not fully understand it, but several working theories may help explain why treating bacterial imbalances in the gut could improve inflammation in the skin.

Rosacea is associated with several comorbidities, including neurological, cardiovascular, psychiatric, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases. Gastrointestinal issues were amongst the most frequently reported comorbidities. There’s an emerging concept that there is what’s called the gut-skin axis—that many inflammatory issues begin in the gut and can affect the skin as well. There is thought to be a connection between several bodily systems, including the metabolic and nervous systems, that are regulated by the gut as well. In theory, when the gut microbiome is out of balance, it can lead to chronic inflammatory reactions throughout the body.

Researchers theorize that the gut’s microbiome impacts the skin’s homeostasis and allostasis. That means that when the gut microbiome is affected by stress, such as dietary or environmental imbalances, it triggers an immune response. It is also thought that the gut’s microbiota may also impact skin microbiota. The metabolites from intestinal microbiota are carried to the skin through the bloodstream, accumulate on the skin, and disrupt homeostasis. The microbiota on the skin is a crucial part of the body’s defense system, and bacterial overgrowth on the skin can throw things off balance.

In the case of SIBO, it may produce toxic metabolites, which cause an increase in intestinal permeability. This breach causes systemic inflammation, which researchers believe may impact the skin, particularly with issues like dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, and rosacea.

What is SIBO?

If you suffer from rosacea or another skin condition like acne, and you’ve also experienced problems with your gastrointestinal health, the skin-SIBO connection may be worth exploring with your physician. There are tests and diagnostics that can help them determine if SIBO is causing your GI distress; from there, they can help you rebalance your system.

What is SIBO? Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth or SIBO is characterized as a small bowel aspirate of more than 105 colony-forming units/ml. In layperson terms, SIBO indicates an overgrowth of bacteria and imbalance in the gut.

There are many symptoms of SIBO, and it can be challenging to diagnose based on symptoms alone since it can present similar concerns to other digestive issues, including IBS, colitis, IBD, celiac, and GERD. The symptoms of SIBO include stomach pain and bloating (especially after meals), cramps, diarrhea, constipation, tiredness, and brain fog. If you suspect SIBO, it’s important to discuss your concerns with your physician.

Why does SIBO occur? Researchers are still studying the underlying causes of SIBO and related disorders. Many gut inflammation and imbalance disorders happen because the body’s defense systems are reduced or compromised. When the body’s defenses are down, bacterial growth can increase. Defenses like gut motility (the ability for the intestines to move content), hydrochloric acid in the stomach, pancreatic proteolytic enzymes and immunoglobulins, and other mechanisms can become impaired.

Fortunately, there are diagnostic tools, including the QuinTron At-Home Breath Collection Kit. The kit allows you to conveniently test for SIBO in the comfort of your own home or office. You can order the test from us or through your healthcare provider. Then, once the test is performed, you simply return your samples to one of our partner labs for analysis or your practitioner’s office.

The QuinTron breath collection tests will measure levels of Hydrogen and Methane in your breath, which can help your health practitioner determine the best course of action to help you restore balance. This may mean changes to your diet, medication, or other interventions to help you get back on track.

SIBO and related conditions aren’t something you need to suffer through. Start taking steps today to restore balance to your system.