Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Bummed Out :(- Just Venting

tryme

By tryme
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

tryme Rookie
tryme
Posted

Saw my GI today for follow up and found out that I might still be glutening myself :(  I thought I was doing great with my new gluten free diet and didn't even think of the skin care products that I was using ;(   My moisturiser contains GLUTEN!! I thought that it wasn't possible for gluten to be absorbed in the blood stream through the skin but my GI specialist thinks otherwise. I guess that is another newbie mistake for me. I just feel frustrated because I thought I was doing good but I guess this means I have to start from day 1 again :(   But  I don't know how this is possible because my GI symptoms (well symptoM  as I just had the Big C) have disappeared and I don't have skin sensitivity to gluten.    

 

Also my calcium is slightly high not sure if it is secondary to taking supplements but my doc is sending me to for bone scan. Do I need to be worried about this?

 

I just feel so disappointed in myself but looking at the bright side I am happy that this was made clear to me during initial stages of my diet and not towards the end or else I would have been really pissed :P

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Saw my GI today for follow up and found out that I might still be glutening myself :(  I thought I was doing great with my new gluten free diet and didn't even think of the skin care products that I was using ;(   My moisturiser contains GLUTEN!! I thought that it wasn't possible for gluten to be absorbed in the blood stream through the skin but my GI specialist thinks otherwise. I guess that is another newbie mistake for me. I just feel frustrated because I thought I was doing good but I guess this means I have to start from day 1 again :(   But  I don't know how this is possible because my GI symptoms (well symptoM  as I just had the Big C) have disappeared and I don't have skin sensitivity to gluten.    

 

Also my calcium is slightly high not sure if it is secondary to taking supplements but my doc is sending me to for bone scan. Do I need to be worried about this?

 

I just feel so disappointed in myself but looking at the bright side I am happy that this was made clear to me during initial stages of my diet and not towards the end or else I would have been really pissed :P

 

 

Well, hon,  it isn't possible for gluten to be absorbed through the skin. The gluten molecule is too large.

 

(make sure your "GI specialist" knows this.)

 

Please, read this:

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

 

No need to worry about a bone scan. It's painless and over in a second (you lay on a table--that's  it)

 

Calcium being high is less worrisome than calcium being low. If you are newly diagnosed, all of your levels may very well normalize soon anyway. Just give the G F diet some time.

 

I am sure you are doing everything right. No, you do not have to start from "day 1" again.

 

If your Big C has disappeared, you are doing fine. 

 

Why on earth did he say you were "glutening yourself?"  This is confusing.

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

Sorry for your set back.  Are you sure that the lotion was the problem?  Unless you were licking it off your fingers or something, its not likely the cause.  Are your supplement/medications gluten free?  Do you have a shared kitchen?  I would look at some other possibilities.  Also, I don't know how long you have been diagnosed but it does take time to heal.

 

Good luck to you.

 

Colleen

shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

I agree with the others. Gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin.

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

Well, hon,  it isn't possible for gluten to be absorbed through the skin. The gluten molecule is too large.

 

(make sure your "GI specialist" knows this.)

 

Please, read this:

 

Open Original Shared Link

 

 

No need to worry about a bone scan. It's painless and over in a second (you lay on a table--that's  it)

 

Calcium being high is less worrisome than calcium being low. If you are newly diagnosed, all of your levels may very well normalize soon anyway. Just give the G F diet some time.

 

I am sure you are doing everything right. No, you do not have to start from "day 1" again.

 

If your Big C has disappeared, you are doing fine. 

 

Why on earth did he say you were "glutening yourself?"  This is confusing.

I second all this advice. The only thing regarding skin care that needs to be gluten-free would be hand lotion because if you slather that on and then eat a sandwich, you could be ingesting some which would cause an actual gluten hit.....not the fake kind like the notion that gluten is absorbed through the skin.  Good grief!  This man is a doctor with bad medical advice like that?  :blink:  

 

I will also mention that anything that goes on your lips is another "must be gluten-free" item, for obvious reasons.  It has to make it's way into your mouth, no matter what the offending item is before you need to worry.  Or up your nose or in your eyes but I highly doubt you will do that with your make-up/skincare items!  :o  

 

If your symptoms are resolving, then pat yourself on the back that you are doing a good job and don't worry about skin care/ make-up items unless you plan on eating them....no matter what this specialist says.  Their information is incorrect.

tryme Rookie
tryme
Posted
  • Author

Thanks everyone! I was diagnosed at the beginning of this month. 

 

Food wise I am doing ok..well I had almonds and walnuts from kirkland which I later found out were processed in same facility that might have wheat <_< All my supplements are dairy & gluten free. My iron came up to be 127  :rolleyes: Its just the calcium that has me worried. I just do not want to have hyperthyroidism  :( My vitamin D is really low. Although I am not as anxious about the bone density exam now that I know its not something intrusive.

my husband has also gone gluten free with me and he eats outside if he is craving some wheat and makes sure he wash his hands and brush his teeth if he does consume gluten. Its just I was darn sure that gluten cannot be absorbed but hearing it from the specialist made me worried. well he said " you are working so hard on your diet just make sure you don't use products with gluten as it can be absorbed through your skin" But it is reassuring that it can't be absorbed through skin . I think I will use this one until it finishes and maybe buy the gluten free one next time just to be extra sure that I am healing.

 

Thanks everyone!

tryme Rookie
tryme
Posted
  • Author

Thanks Gemini! I do take extra care with my lip balms and hand lotions. I also always wash my hands before touching my food just to be extra sure and mostly consume foods for which I need cutlery. I am trying my best to avoid any cross contamination!  

 

you guys are right, I shouldn't worry myself with this. Just because its coming from a specialist doesn't always mean that the information is correct!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Pegleg84 Collaborator
Pegleg84
Posted

Some people choose to only use gluten-free skin/hair care products (I do), but it's mostly a "better safe than sorry" measure. It can't be absorbed by the skin, but if it gets in your mouth, that could cause problems. I was (obliviously, cause I'm an idiot and didn't read the label properly) using a shampoo with wheat protein in it for over a year. Definitely wouldn't say it glutened me, but I could swear I felt the teensiest bit better after switching, but I'm pretty sensitive. So, it is possible that your moisturizer could have been glutening you, but only through your mouth, not skin.

 

In any case, it could be something else causing CC, or could be that you just haven had long enough to heal completely. When were you diagnosed? Good to hear all your vitamins are going up. I'd kill for 100+ iron levels!

Really, sounds like you're feeling better and getting better. So tell your doctor next time that he's been misinformed on the skin absorption thing, and keep on learning and healing.

NoGlutenCooties Contributor
NoGlutenCooties
Posted

If you're still concerned about going Gluten-free with topical products, sensitive-skin Curel is Gluten-free - and I have found that it actually works really well (was using it for years before I even knew I had a gluten problem).  Also, most Bare Minerials makeup is gluten-free, as is most Banana Boat sun screen.  Check their websites for a list of specific varieties.

BelleVie Enthusiast
BelleVie
Posted

I have to second Gemini. If you put lotion on your hands and then just rub it all over your face getting it on your lips, that could gluten you. The same thing happened to me. I'd wake up feeling great, get ready for work, and by the time I got there I'd start feeling the gluten sleepies and get a headache. After a couple weeks, I realized the problem and I changed my lotion!  

michaelyejo Newbie
michaelyejo
Posted

No I understand. I cant even touch it. When I bake cookies for my family that contain wheat my hands swell & became rashed as well as red. Maybe some peoples sensitivities are worse then others.Its goofy but when the holidays come around I buy disposable gloves for that purpose. I also don't use any Aussie conditioner. That contains wheat. It took me two weeks of a flaky itchy scalp to realize that maybe I should look at the label.  <_<

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

No I understand. I cant even touch it. When I bake cookies for my family that contain wheat my hands swell & became rashed as well as red. Maybe some peoples sensitivities are worse then others.Its goofy but when the holidays come around I buy disposable gloves for that purpose. I also don't use any Aussie conditioner. That contains wheat. It took me two weeks of a flaky itchy scalp to realize that maybe I should look at the label.  <_<

Sounds like a contact allergy to me.

shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

Sounds like a contact allergy to me.

Very much so...

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

No I understand. I cant even touch it. When I bake cookies for my family that contain wheat my hands swell & became rashed as well as red. Maybe some peoples sensitivities are worse then others.Its goofy but when the holidays come around I buy disposable gloves for that purpose. I also don't use any Aussie conditioner. That contains wheat. It took me two weeks of a flaky itchy scalp to realize that maybe I should look at the label.  <_<

Yup.  You have a separate allergy issue.  Touching gluten is not an issues for those without an allergy to wheat.  As you know Celiac is an AI Disease, not an allergy. 

 

When you said your Doctor told you that you were getting gluten from your lotion, was he talking about your allergic reaction?  Then he would not be an idiot.  Are you Diagnosed Celiac?  Or do you have a wheat allergy.  They are two very different things. 

 

Colleen

 

Colleen

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

Yup.  You have a separate allergy issue.  Touching gluten is not an issues for those without an allergy to wheat.  As you know Celiac is an AI Disease, not an allergy. 

 

When you said your Doctor told you that you were getting gluten from your lotion, was he talking about your allergic reaction?  Then he would not be an idiot.  Are you Diagnosed Celiac?  Or do you have a wheat allergy.  They are two very different things. 

 

Colleen

 

Colleen

...or maybe both?

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

...or maybe both?

 

Yes, absolutely possible...

 

Colleen

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Yaya
      - Yaya replied to Jhona's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      29

      Does anyone here also have Afib

      Thank you for responding and for prayers. So sorry for your struggles, I will keep you in mine. You are so young to have so many struggles, mine are mild by comparison. I didn't have Celiac Disease (celiac disease) until I had my gallbladder removed 13 years ago; at least nothing I was aware of. Following surgery: multiple symptoms/oddities appeared including...
    2. larc
      - larc replied to Jhona's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      29

      Does anyone here also have Afib

      When I accidentally consume gluten it compromises the well-being of my heart and arteries. Last time I had a significant exposure, about six months ago, I had AFib for about ten days. It came on every day around dinner time. After the ten days or so it went away and hasn't come back. My cardiologist offered me a collection of pharmaceuticals at the time...
    3. klmgarland
      - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      7

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      So I should not eat my gluten free bread? I will try the vitamins. Thank you all so very much for your ideas and understanding. I'm feeling better today and have gathered back my composure! Thank you kitty kitty I am going to look this diet up right away. And read the paleo diet and really see if I can make this a better situation then it currently...
    4. tiffanygosci
      - tiffanygosci replied to Jhona's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      29

      Does anyone here also have Afib

      Hi! I had my first episode of AFib last May when I was 30 (I have had some heart stuff my whole life but nothing this extreme). I was not diagnosed with celiac until the beginning of this month in October of 2025. I was in the early stages of celiac, so I'm not sure if they were related (maybe!) All of my heart tests came back normal except for my electrolytes...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      7

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      I followed the Autoimmune Protocol Diet which is really strict for a while, but later other foods can be added back into your diet. Following the AIP diet strictly allows you digestive system to heal and the inflammation to calm down. Sort of like feeding a sick baby easy to digest food instead of spicy pizza. It's important to get the inflammation...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,917
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    tiffanygosci
    Newest Member
    tiffanygosci
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Yaya
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By Yaya · Posted

      Thank you for responding and for prayers.  So sorry for your struggles, I will keep you in mine.  You are so young to have so many struggles, mine are mild by comparison.  I didn't have Celiac Disease (celiac disease) until I had my gallbladder removed 13 years ago; at least nothing I was aware of.  Following surgery: multiple symptoms/oddities appeared including ridges on fingernails, eczema, hair falling out in patches, dry eyes, upset stomach constantly and other weird symptoms that I don't really remember.  Gastro did tests and endoscopy and verified celiac disease. Re heart: I was born with Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) and an irregular heartbeat, yet heart was extremely strong.  It was difficult to pick up the irregular heartbeat on the EKG per cardiologist.  I had Covid at 77, recovered in 10 days and 2 weeks later developed long Covid. What the doctors and nurses called the "kickoff to long Covid, was A-fib.  I didn't know what was going on with my heart and had ignored early symptoms as some kind of passing aftereffect stemming from Covid.  I was right about where it came from, but wrong on it being "passing".  I have A-fib as my permanent reminder of Covid and take Flecainide every morning and night and will for the rest of my life to stabilize my heartbeat.   
    • larc
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By larc · Posted

      When I accidentally consume gluten it compromises the well-being of my heart and arteries. Last time I had a significant exposure, about six months ago, I had AFib for about ten days. It came on every day around dinner time. After the ten days or so it went away and hasn't come back.  My cardiologist offered me a collection of pharmaceuticals at the time.  But I passed on them. 
    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      So I should not eat my gluten free bread?  I will try the vitamins.  Thank you all so very much for your ideas and understanding.  I'm feeling better today and have gathered back my composure! Thank you kitty kitty   I am going to look this diet up right away.  And read the paleo diet and really see if I can make this a better situation then it currently is.  
    • tiffanygosci
      Does anyone here also have Afib

      By tiffanygosci · Posted

      Hi! I had my first episode of AFib last May when I was 30 (I have had some heart stuff my whole life but nothing this extreme). I was not diagnosed with celiac until the beginning of this month in October of 2025. I was in the early stages of celiac, so I'm not sure if they were related (maybe!) All of my heart tests came back normal except for my electrolytes (potassium and magnesium) that were low when the AFib occurred. I also became pregnant with our third and last baby a couple weeks after I came back from that hospital stay. I had no heart complications after that whole thing. And I still haven't over a year later. It was definitely scary and I hope it doesn't happen again. I drink an electrolyte drink mix about every day, and I'm sure being on a gluten-free diet will help my body even more! I will pray for you in this. Taking care of our bodies is so challenging but Jesus is with us every step of the way. He cares and He sees you!
    • knitty kitty
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      I followed the Autoimmune Protocol Diet which is really strict for a while, but later other foods can be added back into your diet.  Following the AIP diet strictly allows you digestive system to heal and the inflammation to calm down.  Sort of like feeding a sick baby easy to digest food instead of spicy pizza.   It's important to get the inflammation down because chronic inflammation leads to other health problems.  Histamine is released as part of the autoimmune response to gluten.  High histamine levels make you feel bad and can cause breathing problems (worsening asthma), cardiovascular problems (tachycardia), and other autoimmune diseases (Hashimoto's thyroiditis, diabetes) and even mental health problems. Following the low histamine version of the AIP diet allows the body to clear the histamine from our bodies.  Some foods are high in histamine.  Avoiding these makes it easier for our bodies to clear the histamine released after a gluten exposure.   Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system and calm it down.  Vitamin D is frequently low in Celiacs.  The B Complex vitamins and Vitamin C are needed to clear histamine.   Supplementing with essential vitamins and minerals boosts your intestines' ability to absorb them while healing.   Keep in mind that gluten-free facsimile foods, like gluten-free bread, are not enriched with added vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts are.   They are empty calories, no nutritional value, which use up your B vitamins in order to turn the calories into fuel for the body to function.   Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about supplementing while healing.  Take a good B Complex and extra Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine (shown to promote gut health).  Most B Complex vitamins contain thiamine mononitrate which the body cannot utilize.  Meats and liver are good sources of B vitamins.   Dr. Sarah Ballantyne wrote the book, the Paleo Approach.  She's a Celiac herself.  Her book explains a lot.   I'm so glad you're feeling better and finding your balance!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.