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

Fragrance-Less

FruitEnthusiast

Recommended Posts

FruitEnthusiast Enthusiast
FruitEnthusiast
Posted

Well, this seems like a silly thing to complain about in light of the more serious health issues we deal with on here, but I’ve had to go all fragrance free as some of you may have read recently. Several of you have offered great advice. Finding new products isn’t that hard, a little time and energy consuming, but not hard. Us sensitive folks have it pretty good these days with all the new products for us.

 

It’s sort of funny though, “Better living through chemistry” came along at some point and brought all the chemical ingredients we can’t pronounce in our products. So, now I’m buying new stuff with the same chemicals minus the fragrance. I want to go more natural but that will take some learning and I don’t have the energy for it just yet. The funny thing is that I feel more afraid of the natural stuff because I’m not familiar with it.

 

I’m not a fan of change. But mostly I miss those fragrances I’m used to. Nothing smells good around here anymore. It took time to find all those chemical concoctions I became so fond of and I miss the smell of them. I’m not sure where my aromatherapy is supposed to come from anymore. I have a scented candle I like but I’m afraid to burn it. I’ve become scent-phobic!

 

I’m bummed. I can’t eat anything and now I have nothing good to smell. Poor me.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Adalaide Mentor
Adalaide
Posted

I missed it at first too. I haven't used soap or shampoo in more than a year now. Some people probably think that's creepy and weird, but it's great for me. My skin and hair have never been happier. If you start looking up recipes online for body scrubs you can find ones with essential oils added for fragrance. Or you can just add a few drops yourself to whatever recipe makes you happy. You just have to be careful to get something that isn't going to irritate your skin and that isn't something you'll have a problem with. Or, for instance, I love love love lavender, but if I used it in everything I'd just tranq myself because it has the effect on me. So be aware of what a smell will do to you before adding it to things. :lol:

FruitEnthusiast Enthusiast
FruitEnthusiast
Posted
  • Author

Awww, Thanks A! I hadn't thought of the essential oils yet. That's so funny, to be aware of how they will effect you before using them. That could be really important, depending on the situation. I love the smell of peppermint and licorice. That makes me feel better already. I'm gunna go smell my natural organic peppermint mints right now. I have those for a treat once in a while.

 

Yes, all the people that would think not using all those soaps to get super clean... I'm a bit more "european" about that stuff anyway. I've never been one of those over clean people that cover themselves in cologne. I'm clean but I don't like to overdo it either. Interesting that your skin and hair are happier than ever. That gives me another reason to smile.

 

This is completely off the subject, but we had a little earthquake in the LA area over here just a little bit ago. I had just finished my post when it started shaking and I scurried under the table. No big deal, I've felt lots of them, but they always scare me, I'm still shaken up. Good time for aromatherapy. I just might light that scented candle after all!

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

I hate to add fuel to the fire..........but my chemical/scent sensitivity has gotten increasingly worse since the removal of gluten.  I am not talking science right now...I know I can't tolerate scents or smoke any longer...i used to be able to gracefully excuse myself.  Um, no longer.

 

If sensitivities are increasing....IMHO...it is time to look at histamine and/or mast cell issues (I waited too long....again IMHO).

 

For perspective -- just five or so short years ago....I could walk into Bath and Body Works and actually enjoy their samples....now...I can't walk in front of their storefront or let my sis in the house when she is wearing it.  sucks.  yes.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

No scents for me for the last 15 years. I used to run though the department store cosmetics department. It made me feel sick! I will not let anyone in my family where scents either still. But I think it has improved somewhat.

FruitEnthusiast Enthusiast
FruitEnthusiast
Posted
  • Author

If sensitivities are increasing....IMHO...it is time to look at histamine and/or mast cell issues (I waited too long....again IMHO).

 

Thanks GS, that's definitely good info to keep in mind. I also had started to wonder if my sensitivities were increasing after problems with gluten. It really sucks that you have to deal with that, as if Gluten isn't a big enough problem!

 

Actually, now I think it may not have been a fragrance issue (or a corn issue, which you may have seen me talk about in another post the last couple days) at all. All my itching problems (etc) started around the time I started eating canned tuna. I thought I was having a problem with food in cans, so I stopped eating anything on a can for a day, and I felt so much better overnight, I had to wonder.

 

After more reading It seems that what was bothering me, was too much mercury in the tuna! I was eating it every day, going over the allowable amount. My symptoms were right on: itchy, insomnia, eyes burning, balance problems. I don't think it was actual mercury poisoning, but toxicity which is not dangerous, but not good. There will be no fish in my diet for quite a long while.

 

I'll have to wait to see if the fragrances or the corn had anything to do with it, but I think it was the mercury.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Lesson learned: everything in moderation! Try canned salmon as it has less contaminant, especially if you are in a jam and can not cook. Look up the safe fish list for more suggestions.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


FruitEnthusiast Enthusiast
FruitEnthusiast
Posted
  • Author

Lesson learned: everything in moderation!

 

You said it!

 

By the way, I used to have trouble going through the cosmetic counters is stores, back in the days when they used to fill the air with clouds of perfume, it was very irritating to my nose. Remember how they used to come up and spray perfume right on you before you could even blink! That would make me so mad. Boy have things changed, or started to.

 

I still see magazines with perfume ads though. I thought they were going to do away with that. That stuff still bothers my nose. It's really not cool for people with fragrance issues. Those of us who are sensitive in various ways have a tough time out there among the brutes of the world!!

livinthelife Apprentice
livinthelife
Posted

I buy plain jojoba oil and add an essential oil. This time I added peppermint to the oil and slather it on after I'm almost dry after a shower. Maybe something like that could work for you? I thought the peppermint would give my tired butt some energy. Yeah, yeah, yeah...  There are so many yummy scents!

CaliSparrow Collaborator
CaliSparrow
Posted

So be aware of what a smell will do to you before adding it to things. :lol:

Ha ha so true! I put together aromatherapy kits as Christmas presents one year and spritzed a concoction with orange oil on my face. It just about knocked me down and put me in another orbit. After recovering, I looked it up in my book and found out it can have a hypnotic effect. Of course, I was not gluten-free at the time so there's no telling how my senses interpreted the strong scent but that one spritz taught me a lot about aromatherapy.

My ability to smell anything diminished as time wore on until it was just null and void. It's just beginning to return. (I can actually smell other people's breath which, oddly, has a grounding effect on me... and no, I wasn't the Elmer's glue sniffer in elementary school) ;)

My hearing and vision are what I contend with the most sensitivity-wise and it's worse when I'm under stress. A friend of mine who turned up sensitive to gluten way back in 1998 is also sensitive to perfume. To be honest, it's been nice not having to deal with olfactory sensitivity. At least with the other ones, you can close your eyes and install earplugs! Maybe cotton balls? :D

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. trents
      - trents replied to SilkieFairy's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      4

      IBS-D vs Celiac

      No coincidence. Recent revisions to gluten challenge guidelines call for the daily consumption of at least 10g of gluten (about the amount in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of 3 weeks. If possible, I would extend that two weeks to ensure valid testing.
    2. SilkieFairy
      - SilkieFairy replied to SilkieFairy's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      4

      IBS-D vs Celiac

      Thank you both for the replies. I decided to bring back gluten so I can do the blood test. Today is Day #2 of the Challenge. Yesterday I had about 3 slices of whole wheat bread and I woke up with urgent diarrhea this morning. It was orange, sandy and had the distinctive smell that I did not have when I was briefly gluten free. I don't know if it's a...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    4. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    5. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,336
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Jeffrey Yeres
    Newest Member
    Jeffrey Yeres
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      IBS-D vs Celiac

      By trents · Posted

      No coincidence. Recent revisions to gluten challenge guidelines call for the daily consumption of at least 10g of gluten (about the amount in 4-6 slices of wheat bread) for a minimum of 3 weeks. If possible, I would extend that two weeks to ensure valid testing.
    • SilkieFairy
      IBS-D vs Celiac

      By SilkieFairy · Posted

      Thank you both for the replies. I decided to bring back gluten so I can do the blood test. Today is Day #2 of the Challenge. Yesterday I had about 3 slices of whole wheat bread and I woke up with urgent diarrhea this morning. It was orange, sandy and had the distinctive smell that I did not have when I was briefly gluten free. I don't know if it's a coincidence, but the brain fog is back and I feel very tired.   
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
×
×
  • 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.