How Gf Should I Be?

[hthorvald]

Hi, I'm new to both Celiac Disease and this forum, so apologies if I make any faux pas. I was diagnosed on May 3, 2004, and am completely (or so I think) gluten-free. However, should I also use gluten-free shampoos and conditioners? I don't have DH understand that I don't need to be that careful with the topical stuff, but want to be sure. I love Aveda products, but the majority of their products are not gluten-free. I get really bad migraines and it was suggested that shampoos can get absorbed into the scalp and into the system. It sounds far-fetched to me, but would like to get opinions. Thanks!

[celiac3270]

Technically, you do not need to use gluten-free lotions, shampoos, etc. However, many like to have a gluten-free shampoo in the event that it gets in their eyes or mouth, a gluten-free lotion since they might touch something after putting on the lotion, etc........so technically you don't need it, although for contamination purposes it can't hurt.

[GEF]

Now, I never thought that shampoos could make a difference either... but I did get this shampoo called Nioxin from the salon, since my sylist said it makes your hair grow faster. I have a wedding approaching and thought I'd see if it actually worked. After a week or so of using it, I got a tremendous headache and had bad cloud-head, and I'm not one to get headaches and I don't have DH. Apparently has wheat something-or-other as one of the top ingredients and has peppermint oil that apparently helps with absorption. All I know is that I will never use it again.

Gretchen

[MySuicidalTurtle]

I think it is important to be fully glutenfree. You never know when you might have a reaction to your shampoo, make-up, or lotion. When you start getting gluten out of your life you may notice that suddenly you have small or big reactions to those products. I don't have DH but after going glutenfree my shampoo started giving me problems that it hadn't before and then my make-up, too. It is up to you though. . .some people don't mind it.

I just think if I are going and being glutenfree, washing my hands, avoiding cross-contamination that I shouldn't use glutenproducts on my body at all.

[hthorvald]

Can anyone recommend really good, gluten-free hair products? I've tried nutrogena shampoo and conditioners, with Pantene mousse. Not really good for my hair type. But, my headaches have subsided.

Thanks.

[Racheleona]

Kiss my face, and burt's bees make many gluten-free shampoos. I was wondering the same thing about going to the extreme of using gluten-free shampoos lotions etc., but when I took a shower this morning, I realized a lot of rinse off does go all over my face, and little in my mouth, so I don't want to take the risk, and plus sometimes my hair flies in my mouth when I'm in the wind. And if you use lotion with gluten, and eat with your fingers you might contaminate! So I would go the extra mile.

Rachel

[tarnalberry]

I don't have DH, and I know you can't absorb gluten through your skin, but I go with better safe than sorry.

[flagbabyds]

I don't jabe DH but i wouldn't want to accidenttaly be contaminated

[celiac3270]

I actually haven't checked shampoo, which I should've........there are a few different brands in my house for different people -- I don't really care what brand I use, but does anyone know about Suave or Johnson & Johnson?

[CoolCat1]

I use Amplify from the salon and sometimes Sebastian. Is there a web site to find out about shampoos? Do I need to contact the manufacturer or is there an easier way. What makeup is bad?

[hthorvald]

Make up. Wow, another consideration. Believe it or not, the Neutrogena lip sticks and gloss are gluten-free and look pretty good, too. As far as foundation, etc., I haven't made that switch yet. I use Bobby Brown and have tried unsuccessfully to reach them by email. But, I'll keep trying. I agree with all the responses about being better safe than sorry. Thanks for the input.

I practically live at Whole Foods and just bought their 365 Bath and Shower gel. I'll give that a shot. And, Burts Bees cuticle cream. I think as I run out of things, I"ll see if I can replace them with a gluten-free product. So far, so good (except the shampoo - but I have pretty fine hair).

If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know. And, thanks again for all the great responses.

[natalieb]

I have had this question verified by several noted authorities both doctors and clinical nutritionists as when I first read some of the posts on this subject, I flew into a tizzy and went to whole foods on the search for gluten-free everything. Please.... everyone out there who is creating mass panic in telling people that they must have gluten-free shampoos, conditioners, lotions, etc, stop....The only thing that should be gluten-free is anything, and I mean anything thats goes into your mouth. This means lipstick, toothpastes, mouth rinses. I spent alot of money thinking that I had to watch every single thing.....obviously if you are getting a weird rash after using a shampoo, etc, then stop using it. I think we can create a huge mass hysteria by misinforming people.

[plantime]

I use Matrix Curl Life Shampoo, Pantene conditioner for normal hair, and step #3 of the Curl Life line. For lotion, I use Suave Skin Therapy Cocoa Butter. If I use anything with wheat in it, my skin breaks out, and I itch horribly. I don't think it will cause any kind of mass hysteria or panic to inform Celiacs that they should be careful of everything they use. I do like to eat with my fingers sometimes, and I don't want to accidently contaminate myself.

[Dwight Senne]

I read a similar post several months ago and laughed it off thinking people were getting a little paranoid. Then, about a month ago, my hairstylist gave me a hair gel to use. She put it in my hair and sent a tube home with me. Later that evening, I had a "Celiac attack" with severe bloating and diarrhea!

Normally, I am not real sensitive, and that day I did not eat anything any different than I have been eating for months. When I looked on the label of the tube of hair gel, I seen it contained wheat! I never would have believed this if I had not experienced it myself.

Needless to say, I no longer think it is paranoid to be concerned about such things! Nor do I think I am inducing hysteria by relating a personal experience.

[lovegrov]

Sorry, Natalie, but I think you're wrong. We're not saying you absorb this stuff through your skin because you can't, but ANYTHING you put on your skin, such as lotion, can get into your mouth. And most people get water in their mouth when they shampoo. I can assure you I know some very sensitive people who have gotten sick this way.

richard

[Guest gfinnebraska]

hthorvald ~ I have thin, fine hair and I use Pantene for fine, thin hair. It is gluten-free and works great. Actually makes my hair feel and look thicker. Bonus!! I have been using Cover Girl foundation because I read on another thread that it is gluten-free.

[judy04]

I use Garnier Fructis(sp?), it is gluten free. I used to use Nexxus

and my head was always itchy. After I looked at the list of ingredients

and found it contained wheat!

Natalie, I'm sorry to disagree with you, I do not have a definite diagnosis

of Celiac, but I can't tolerate gluten in any form. I don't want to be

disrespecful of your doctor, but they have a lot to learn. A lot of my

symtoms were non-GI and I was under the care of one of the best

allergist on the east coast and he never considered testing me for

antibodies, even after I told him that I thought I had a wheat allergy

or intolerance. The only thing he did was a scratch test which was neg

for wheat. Had he done a Celiac Panel in 1993 I could have avoided

10 years of hell. I finally got so sick that I couldn't walk into the hospital

on my own, was referred to a GI doc who diagnosed me as gluten

intolerant, possible Celiac. As far as doctors, I had to educate my dentist

because I have had some nasty reactions from sitting in the dentist chair

and being" zapped" with gluten. I recently gave my family doctor a

list of gluten-free meds to keep in my chart. He was very impressed and asked

where I got it. My GI doc, who I respect ,didn't know if Prevacid and/or

Nexium were gluten-free and he prescribes them every day!

I don't think this forum is misinforming people. I find people who have

suffered for years have more knowledge of this disease than most

physicians. I have been a nurse for years and I don't believe in" bashing"

doctors, but a lot of us have been sick for a lot of years and have been

at the mercy of doctors who think that Celiac is very "rare" and is found

in only thin people. I hope that they are getting better educated in med

school.

Sorry to be ranting tonight... Judy