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- Can products which contain gluten but only touch the skin affect celiacs?*
Can products which contain gluten but only touch the skin affect celiacs?*
- By Scott Adams
- Published 07/26/1996
- Frequently Asked Questions: Celiac Disease & Gluten-Free Diet
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Scott Adams
In 1994 I was diagnosed with celiac disease, which led me to create Celiac.com in 1995. I created this site for a single purpose: To help as many people as possible with celiac disease get diagnosed so they can begin to live happy, healthy gluten-free lives. Celiac.com was the first site on the Internet dedicated solely to celiac disease, and since then it has become an invaluable resource to people worldwide who seek information about celiac disease and the gluten-free diet.
In 1998 I created The Gluten-Free Mall, Your Special Diet Superstore! which was also another Internet first—it was the first gluten-free food site to offer a shopping cart-style interface, and the ability for people to order gluten-free products manufactured by many different companies at a single Web site.
I am also co-author of the book Cereal Killers, and founder and publisher of Journal of Gluten Sensitivity.
Very few celiacs are likely to have any reaction to topical gluten contact. In order for a gut reaction to occur, it is likely that direct contact with the gut lumen is required. Many people with celiac disease have everyday contact with gluten (for instance, bakers with celiac disease who have contact everyday with wheat flour), and do not have any reaction to it. However, there are, on rare occasion, people who have had an anaphylactoid response to gluten, and these people should avoid gluten in all forms. Also, topical gluten breathed into the upper airways may cause symptoms of allergic rhetinitis in rare instances. If there is a simple alternative to a shampoo, cosmetic, etc., you may want to use the non gluten containing product. As always, Celiac.com welcomes your comments (see below).
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16 Responses to "Can products which contain gluten but only touch the skin affect celiacs?*"
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08 Jan 2008 11:36:14 AM PDT Just starting out, everything helps greatly !!
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08 Feb 2008 6:33:26 AM PDT This is one of the best sites for new people. Easy to access!
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05 Oct 2008 5:55:46 PM PDT I've been wondering that for years but wasn't sure, thanks!
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14 Feb 2009 2:40:28 PM PDT Yes, I have had some experiences with shampoos that had wheat in them, it caused a lot of uncontrollable itching. I recently was trying a face cream with collagen, and was getting a rash that was unexplained, until I found that collagen comes from wheat. It took quite a while for the rash to go away after I discontinued use. I had to use vitamin E to get rid of it. Now that is all I use and it works nice.
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26 Jun 2009 12:26:29 PM PDT I see no research sited that supports the premise that topical gluten has no adverse effect on celiacs. Until I see research that proves topical gluten is safe for celiacs, I will continue to recommend that celiacs avoid gluten-containing personal products. Additionally, I have heard anecdotal stories similar to Judy's that would concern me. Certainly it is recommended that those with dermatitis herpetiformis avoid topical gluten!
When we work so hard to avoid ingesting gluten, does it make any sense to use a shampoo or hand cream with wheat protein? I suppose you never get shampoo or your hair in your mouth or you never lick your fingers. I guess you would have to be very careful to avoid accidental ingestion. Also, I am shocked to see the inference that baking with gluten products has no effect on celiacs. Even if skin contact has no effect, the possibility of breathing in gluten through the mouth while talking and thus ingesting it accidentally is enough to suggest that all celiacs avoid baking with gluten! In fact, I know one celiac baker who was very sick until he quit his job. Perhaps all the bakers mentioned in the article are not as sensitive, but I hope they have their antibodies checked regularly. |
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06 Jul 2009 8:38:44 AM PDT I have had many reactions to products containing gluten as well. I'm not convinced that this stuff doesn't affect the skin. I used to get dermatitis herpetiformis every time I used lotion or gel until I realized that some had hydrolized wheat protein in them. Same with my shampoo. As soon as I changed to Dove, the dandruff and skin problems totally ceased.
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06 Mar 2013 7:41:57 PM PDT I just recently found out I have a wheat allergy. This info makes sense to me. I used to think that my low carb diet cured my dandruff until I changed shampoo and was confused. I finally read the ingredients and found out there were wheat products in it. My shampoo brought back my dandruff. Now I have to change back. I am glad I realized that topical exposure to gluten also produces an allergic reaction. Duh! Your skin is a large, absorbent organ - you do not necessarily have to have a 'gut' reaction to ingested wheat to trigger allergies.
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16 Dec 2009 5:08:13 PM PDT I was diagnosed over the summer and I have steadily gotten more and more sensitive. At first I didn't worry about hair and skin products with gluten, but now I have realized that they do affect me. I think this is because it's impossible to avoid getting some products into contact with my mouth. For instance, I had a hair product that I used one day. I washed my hands like I usually did after using it, but later on I fluffed my hair with my hands. Then I went and ate a tangerine, putting my hands all over it, not really thinking. An hour later, I was throwing up. I checked the label and wheat protein was a main ingredient. I also used to get rashes while using some lotions and facial moisturizers, surprise surprise, they have hydrolyzed wheat protein and barley extract. For me, it's not worth it! I could never imagine the horror of having to breathe in flour all day.
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21 Oct 2010 5:48:46 PM PDT Many manufacturers of hair and skin products, do not list on their labels ALL the ingredients, so it behooves us the public to call them and esquire. I don't know what ingredient has caused some rashes on my skin but now that I have been diagnosed I'm more likely to esquire.
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12 Oct 2011 4:59:38 PM PDT I have such trouble when hydrolyzed wheat protein touches my scalp. It starts out as small pimples and becomes small open sores by the end of the day. I had switched my shampoo and conditioner and thought I was all set until I used hairspray (thinking there is no way gluten would be in hairspray)...thought I was going crazy until I read the label.
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06 Nov 2011 5:26:35 AM PDT I had been using volume shampoo's without realizing they contained hydrolyzed wheat protein. Every time I used these shampoos my hair fell out in mass amounts. I literally have lost half my hair in the past two years. After being diagnosed with celiac disease, I checked my shampoo and hair product ingredients. Bingo! hydrolyzed wheat protein. Since I no longer use hair products with this ingredient, I no longer lose hair.
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12 May 2012 11:12:58 AM PDT I too have celic and have had reactions to of all things, bath tissue. I am very careful with what I purchase making sure I call or email the company for a list of ingredients.
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20 May 2012 7:35:38 AM PDT I wonder everyday about the cross-contamination of wheat. I suspected touching bread was making me sick, but then I realized soap was making me itch.
Thanks for the information. |
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07 Jul 2012 4:43:35 PM PDT i have dermatitis herpetiformis too. Does anyone out there know of any hair products that are gluten and wheat free?
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13 Jul 2012 4:47:08 PM PDT @Marylou hubbard. I don't know if have heard of Arbonne but it is a fabulous company that makes over 400 gluten-free products from shampoo/conditioner, protein powder and skin care products! We are in the process of getting our almost 4 year old tested for celiac disease and swear by these products! I hope this helps.
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09 Oct 2012 1:08:28 PM PDT This article was originally published in 1996. The responses came 12-16 years later. I would encourage all folks new to a celiac disease diagnosis, or anyone trying to be informed, to research this topic beyond this article.
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