New DX... Who do you tell?

[CatchyUserName]

Newly diagnosed, who do I tell?

I'm not talking friends & family. I am normally private about health matters but I feel it seems I need to tell so many people. Does anyone have a list? Some are obvious like doctor and dentist but one came up for me the other day when my massage therapist asked if I'd had any changes in my health and I said no but halfway through the session realized that, "Duh I should have mentioned Celiac! Clearly the lotion used could be an issue."

So who is on your list to tell? Here's who I have so far:

Doctor(s)

Dentist

Restaurant Servers

Massage Therapists

Hair Stylist

Babysitters, Petsitters or Housesitters (anyone who might bring or prepare food in my home)

 

 

 

[ravenwoodglass]

I would add your pharmacist to that that list and double check when getting a script filled that they checked to make sure it is safe. You will also need to tell any romatic partners as if they are gluten consumers they should brush their teeth before any kissing.

[Gemini]

Lotions used topically are not a concern at all unless they contain gluten and you ingest them into your mouth.  Gluten has to get into your GI tract, (which begins in your mouth) for damage to occur.  Ditto for hair care products.  As most salons have you bend your head back into a sink to wash, the odds of any shampoo or conditioner getting into your mouth are slim to none. If you shower and let the soap and water run down your face, then make your home shampoo/products gluten free.

 

[CatchyUserName]

Hmm... my massage therapists use aromatherapy and specifically ask you to inhale several times while they hold it very close to your face and I do have them rub my face (although some people don't like that and don't have it done.) Lotion also ends up on your hands which you could transfer to food you eat afterwards if you haven't washed your hands well (obviously hand washing is key!) But I don't think that is too far of a stretch to think it *could* be injested and to double check to be sure the products used are gluten-free. 

And at a salon I realize that they'd wash my hair tilted back but what about product(s) being spritzed on your hair when styled? Rare yes, but I do know I've "tasted" those products before! Ick.  

[Gemini]

I think you will find that aromatherapy is safe.  I have had the same thing when having facials many, many times over 12 years gluten free and have never, ever had a problem. I have never found any aromatherapy that contained gluten. I am a very sensitive, diagnosed Celiac.  As far as lotion is concerned, you won't have a problem if you wash your hands, which I cannot imagine NOT doing before eating.  That is Celiac 101.  You only have to screen hand lotions for personal use and anything that goes onto the lips.  Eye drops also should be gluten-free as you put that directly into the eye and it can make it's way down into your gut.

Hair salons........no, never had a problem.  If a salon uses good products, they will not contain gluten. Again, in 12 years of checking anything new they use, never found any gluten component.  I color and trim my hair once a month and I'm pretty sure I'd be dead by now if I ingested gluten for so often for 12 years.  You really do not want to ingest anything that is sprayed and I can't say that I have.  It's a bad idea for many other reasons besides gluten.

I know you are newly diagnosed and yes, you need to check ingredients BUT gluten is not everywhere. If you check whatever they are using and it does not contain the dreaded gluten, then do not worry about it.