Why The Worry About Skin Products?

[chrissy]

i have been reading danna rock's book about raising celiac children. it says in there that gluten molecules are too large to be absorbed through the skin----so why do so many people worry about using make-up with gluten in it? i can see the reasons for worrying about lip products and hand lotion----but won't hand washing take care of the risk of ingesting gluten from these other products?

christine

[Nantzie]

Because if you touch your hair or face without thinking about it, it will get on your hands and you may ingest it. Just think about how many times a day you tuck your hair behind your ears or scratch your nose or rub your eyes. Until you think about it, you don't realize how much you do that during the course of a day.

Also, when you wash your hair, a couple drips of rinse water will usually get in your mouth or on your lips. Even me -- I hate, hate, hate getting shower spray in my face and didn't think that applied to me because I just rinse from the back. But I'll be darned. I did get little drips down my face, and they were all over my lips and mouth. Who knew?

If you're really good about washing your hands EVERY time you put anything anywhere near your mouth, you may not need to worry about it. But if you start getting glutened and you can't figure out anything wrong with your food or food prep areas, often it turns out it's some type of skin or hair product.

Nancy

[hez]

You are right that gluten cannot be absorbed thru the skin. However, I decided to have all my makeup, shampoo and lotions gluten-free. Why? Frankly it is not worth the risk of accidently being glutened. I would rather be completely safe in that department. I have enough to worry about without having to freak out in the shower. It is just easier for me. You need to decide what would cause you less worry and be easy for you and your family.

Hez

[jerseyangel]

Hez--I agree completely! The less I have to worry about, the better

[teebs in WV]

Also, some of us who have DH are super-sensitive to gluten-containing skin products. As a matter of fact, that bothers me more than ingesting gluten (symptom wise, anyway). Before being dx, I was using Aveeno Mediacated Lotion because I thought the menthol in the lotion was soothing. But the funny thing was, a couple of hours after applying it, any relief that I had felt was replaced by INTENSE itching and burning. After being dx I figured out that the oats in the Aveeno lotion was my issue. I quit using it and the itching has minimized (not totally gone away, but much, much better!)

[chrissy]

one of my kids has rashes----this is actually why we had testing done in the first place-----but i am not sure if she has DH or if it is just plain old atopic dermatits (like i have).

christine

[jerseyangel]

I don't know what just happened......

[Guest nini]

my daughter will break out in hives from any skin products with gluten in them... so don't get any that she could get into, also I don't wear makeup hardly at all anymore. Got rid of all my makeup except for some burts bees lipstick

[Guest BERNESES]

I just recently got glutened by my shampoo and ended up having to cancel a romantic night away with the hubby because of it. Boy was I mad!

[mouse]

I am so sorry that you had to cancel your romantic get-a-way, Berneses. What a bummer. Also thank you for the nice email. I tried to email you back, but it said I had to PM and I don't know what that means. The other emails said the word email. I am not very up on the initial thing and am certainly not savvy on the computer.

[Guest BERNESES]

Hi Armetta- I'm glad you got the email! To PM (it just means "personal message" when you go to my profile, just hit the PM button and I will get it through my email. That way it just goes through the board so that the entire world can't see my email address. Keeps away stalkers (hee hee)

Although the flying beagle is good at that too. B

[Janie]

Also, some of us who have DH are super-sensitive to gluten-containing skin products. As a matter of fact, that bothers me more than ingesting gluten (symptom wise, anyway). Before being dx, I was using Aveeno Mediacated Lotion because I thought the menthol in the lotion was soothing. But the funny thing was, a couple of hours after applying it, any relief that I had felt was replaced by INTENSE itching and burning. After being dx I figured out that the oats in the Aveeno lotion was my issue. I quit using it and the itching has minimized (not totally gone away, but much, much better!)

I was wondering if you've found a similar product to Aveeno that is just as effective...?

Thanks,

Jane

[teebs in WV]

Hi Janie. Gold Bond Medicated Lotion - Extra Strength - seems to help soothe the itching. It contains menthol and from what I can tell by reading the label, it appears to be safe. But, I have not confirmed through the manufcaturer if it is safe or not.