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Dr. Green's New Book

CMCM

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CMCM Rising Star
CMCM
Posted

I'm just finishing Dr. Peter Green's new book called "Celiac Disease...A Hidden Epidemic." Here's what he says about lotions and potiions, shampoos etc:

"Gluten is absorbed only thru the digestive tract. It is not absorbed thru the skin. Unless you are ingesting your shampoo, skin lotions, creams or makeup, they do not have to be gluten-free. If you have specific skin sensitivities to creams that contain gluten, you may need to consult a dermatologist or an allergist."

LIPSTICK....lipstick is the only cosmetic that people ingest, sometimes in huge quantities. Many of the long-lasting formulas often contain wheat germ oil or other wheat based products. "

The full discussion is on p. 239 of his book.

SO BEWARE OF LIPSTICK. Call the manufacturer to be sure since labeling doesn't have to show wheat (since it's not a food product.)

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ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
Unless you are ingesting your shampoo, skin lotions, creams or makeup, they do not have to be gluten-free. If you have specific skin sensitivities to creams that contain gluten, you may need to consult a dermatologist or an allergist."

I think I will still avoid these as they have been a source of contamination too many times. I would rather avoid the gluten than see another doctor and get some cream or pill to do away with the skin symptoms. Just my personal opinion but I'll continue to avoid ALL gluten.

Guest nini
Guest nini
Posted

The danger here is that most people DO inadvertently ingest their makeup, shampoos, lotions, etc. All it takes is for you to TOUCH your face or hair and then touch food that goes in your mouth... There was a thread recently with a really neat experiment to show you JUST HOW MUCH of your shampoo you ingest when you wash your hair. Just mix baking soda and water and run it through your hair in the shower, this removes styling product residue and makes your hair soft and shiny, but you can also TASTE the saltiness of it when the water runs down your face and into your mouth. I've done this and it IS surprising how much you do ingest.

remember IT ONLY TAKES A MOLECULE OF GLUTEN TO DO DAMAGE

Becky6 Enthusiast
Becky6
Posted

My face breaks out horribly if I use gluten containing products! Also, my head was really itchy and my hair was falling out and my shampoo had wheat indgredients on it.

mommida Enthusiast
mommida
Posted

The cosmetic companies know that the AVERAGE woman ingests ONE TUBE of lipstick a year.

(Aveda line of advertising their product line about 20 years ago.)

Laura

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I am in the process of reading Dr. Green's book and saw the part in question. I will be sticking with my gluten-free products. I know I was glutened by a hair gel that contained wheat. It did not (I don't think) go through my skin--I bit my fingernail! I do not want to have to think about it--the products I now use have no gluten and are even made in a dedicated facility. The CC in my food is enough to worry about, so I make it easy when it comes to the products ;)

Ursa Major Collaborator
Ursa Major
Posted

That's one part of his book I don't like (I'm not done with it). I also react to wheat germ oil in hair and skin products, and I don't buy the claim (which is made all the time) that you don't absorb any gluten through your skin. You absorb a lot more than you think.

I am with the ones who will avoid EVERYTHING that contains gluten (or anything else I am intolerant to), including cosmetics and hair/skin products.

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munchkinette Collaborator
munchkinette
Posted

I haven't gotten to that part yet. I gotta say, based on what I've heard from other male doctors, I'm sure he knows what he's talking about with the gluten. He probably has no idea what it's like to wear makeup or use a lot of styling products. It's probably more an issue of being male. :) My brother was amazed when he discovered moisturizer and how great it felt on his face- he was like 20 at the time. That's a simple source of contamination, and it just never occurred to him.

CMCM Rising Star
CMCM
Posted
  • Author
I am in the process of reading Dr. Green's book and saw the part in question. I will be sticking with my gluten-free products. I know I was glutened by a hair gel that contained wheat. It did not (I don't think) go through my skin--I bit my fingernail! I do not want to have to think about it--the products I now use have no gluten and are even made in a dedicated facility. The CC in my food is enough to worry about, so I make it easy when it comes to the products ;)

Well, I was kind of surprised to read that too. I just threw out a huge bottle of my favorite shampoo because it had TWO wheat ingredients in it. When I've had my hair done (coloring) several times I had some weird kind of scalp reaction....I could feel it, and it was there for a few days and my scalp was itchy. I don't think it was the coloring....but perhaps the shampoo used at the salon. At this point as I try to get all gluten out of my system and not expose myself to any of it, I guess I don't much trust anything.

Also....at the end of Dr. Green's little section on lotions etc. he made what I took to be a kind of condescending comment about those of us who claim to know so much about celiac disease (he fails to note that we make a lot of our comments from direct experience!!). I felt kind of irritated when I read that part. I'll be interested to see if the rest of you view his comments the same way. :angry:

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
Also....at the end of Dr. Green's little section on lotions etc. he made what I took to be a kind of condescending comment about those of us who claim to know so much about celiac disease (he fails to note that we make a lot of our comments from direct experience!!). I felt kind of irritated when I read that part. I'll be interested to see if the rest of you view his comments the same way. :angry:

I agree--those were my feelings, too when I read it.

LivingtheGoodLife Newbie
LivingtheGoodLife
Posted
...the products I now use have no gluten and are even made in a dedicated facility.

Hi Patti - can you tell me what products you have found that are manufactured in a dedicated factory?

thanks - Care

_____________________

Diagnosed: December 30, 2005

Gluten-Free: February 1, 2006

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

Hi Care--I use shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion from The Gluten Free Savonnerie. You can check them out at www.gfsoap.com. Their products are gluten, casein, soy, nut, fragrance and colorant free and all made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. The people there are very nice to deal with--co. is owned by a husband and wife--the wife is a Celiac. I find that even with shipping, I spend less on these than I used to spend on my salon-type products. :)

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

Carole-

What page was that part you are speaking of? I've only just started the book...

I will also stick with my gluten-free products. I just think it makes life simpler and safer in some areas too. I say why take chances with gluten inside or out when there are so many great products out there than don't use it?

Becky6 Enthusiast
Becky6
Posted

I went to get my haircut a week ago and they use a ton of Aveda products and several have gluten. She was so great and handed me each bottle so I could quickly scan for gluten now that it jumps out. I just don't take the chance anymore!

CMCM Rising Star
CMCM
Posted
  • Author
Carole-

What page was that part you are speaking of? I've only just started the book...

I will also stick with my gluten-free products. I just think it makes life simpler and safer in some areas too. I say why take chances with gluten inside or out when there are so many great products out there than don't use it?

The product discussion starts on p. 239. His (as I took it) snooty comment is at the bottom of p. 240. Actually, now that I look at it again, I'm not sure what he's saying. First he says that lotions etc. are not absorbed into the skin and are therefore safe for us to use, and then he says this:

"Many patients with celiac disease feel that they come to the diagnosis with an "advanced degree" in Bathroom 101. Make sure that the medicine and cosmetic cabinet are part of your gluten-free knowledge base."

So is he saying it's not a problem, or it is a problem? I'm not sure...

Regardless, I plan to avoid wheat and gluten in anything I use. I don't want to take a chance.

teankerbell Apprentice
teankerbell
Posted

Yeah, all you have to do is touch your face, then put your hand near your mouth and down the tube it goes. I would still try to avoid it if possible.

4getgluten Rookie
4getgluten
Posted

I know a little bit of my shampoo, soap and hand cream can easily end up in my mouth. Better to be safe than sick.

Patti - thanks for the gfsoap.com link. I just ordered a travel pack. I can't wait to try it.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

Karen--I think you'll like the products! Let me know :)

4getgluten Rookie
4getgluten
Posted

Patti - I'll let you know! I'm hopeful my shipment arrives this week. I'm going out of town next weekend, and it would be great to take with me.

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I don't know where you're located, but I'm in NJ and I always get it either the next day or in 2 days tops. I love that about them--and that no matter how large the order, the shipping is always the same--3.99. I notice now they are offering a discount if you buy 3 of some things. (never noticed that before) The next time I order, I'm going to get 3 of my shampoo, conditioner and soap. I figure between the discount, and the shipping, I'll do even better. FYI--because they don't use a lot of additives, the shampoo lathers best when you use a lot of water.

Mango04 Enthusiast
Mango04
Posted
Patti - I'll let you know! I'm hopeful my shipment arrives this week. I'm going out of town next weekend, and it would be great to take with me.

I ordered the gluten-free Savonnerie stuff and it got to me in two days (I'm in California). It's great stuff.

4getgluten Rookie
4getgluten
Posted

Good to hear. I'm in California, so I should get it this week.

Thanks guys!

teankerbell Apprentice
teankerbell
Posted
I am in the process of reading Dr. Green's book and saw the part in question. I will be sticking with my gluten-free products. I know I was glutened by a hair gel that contained wheat. It did not (I don't think) go through my skin--I bit my fingernail! I do not want to have to think about it--the products I now use have no gluten and are even made in a dedicated facility. The CC in my food is enough to worry about, so I make it easy when it comes to the products ;)

Hi Patti,

Please read DaniKali's comments about Dr. Green located in Celiac Disease - Post Diagnosis, Recovery/Treatment(s), Post #11, dated March 10th. We had a nice discussion about him on the phone this morning!

Laura

4getgluten Rookie
4getgluten
Posted
Karen--I think you'll like the products! Let me know :)

Patti - got my gluten-free Savonnerie shipment today. I've already tried the soap and the lotion. I like it a lot! The lotion is really nice, not greasy at all. I'll definitely order some more. Thanks again for the tip. (like your new picture... what a beautiful cat)

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted
Patti - got my gluten-free Savonnerie shipment today. I've already tried the soap and the lotion. I like it a lot! The lotion is really nice, not greasy at all. I'll definitely order some more. Thanks again for the tip. (like your new picture... what a beautiful cat)

Glad you were happy with the products! Thank you from my kitty and me :D You have a pretty cat, too--did you have as much trouble as I did taking the picture? I must have tried for 20 minutes before I got a good shot of his face!

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