Gluten Free Cosmetics/shampoo/etc?

[leadmeastray88]

I was wondering how many people actually use gluten free makeup and shampoo and creams, etc. Is it really common for a person who is gluten-sensitive to have a reaction to products containing gluten?

And - can you have a reaction to it by absorbing it through your skin, or do you have to actually ingest it??

Thanks!!

[leadmeastray88]

Nobody has any input??

[Gemini]

I was wondering how many people actually use gluten free makeup and shampoo and creams, etc. Is it really common for a person who is gluten-sensitive to have a reaction to products containing gluten?

And - can you have a reaction to it by absorbing it through your skin, or do you have to actually ingest it??

Thanks!!

According to the latest medical information on Celiac Disease and all the research I have done over the past 3 years, it is not necessary to use gluten-free personal care

products unless you think you may ingest some into your stomach. This does not apply to anything that goes on your lips, for obvious reasons. Those need to be strictly gluten-free.

The gluten molecule is too large to be absorbed through the skin so no worry there. Remember, it has to get into your gut to cause an autoimmune reaction.

If you are having a skin problem from using a product, then it would fall under the category of contact sensitivity or allergy to something in the product. It is possible to have a wheat allergy on top of Celiac or a person may be allergic to another ingredient. This also applies to people with DH...the reaction comes from within and causes the skin to erupt. You cannot cause a DH breakout by touching gluten with your hands.

Many people feel more comfortable going entirely gluten-free and that is their choice, not a medical necessity. It's a personal decision but if you decide not to start all over with gluten-free products, that's OK also. I do not use gluten-free products myself, except for lip balm and lipstick and I have had zero problems. You will also be able to tell if you are ingesting any gluten by your repeat blood work, if you are concerned.

If you use hand cream with gluten and tend to put your hands in your mouth, then you may want to use a gluten-free hand lotion. It all depends on personal habits.

Hope this clears things up a bit!

[kbtoyssni]

I use gluten free personal care products. You are correct that you have to ingest it to react (although some do react from it being on the skin, mostly those with DH), but I think it's just too risky. I'm constantly fidgeting with my hair, leaning my face on my hands, etc. I don't see how I could possibly not accidentally ingest some. And taking a shower - I don't get shampoo in my mouth often, but it might happen once or twice a year and that's one or two glutenings I can easily avoid. I have made the personal decision to not have any gluten in my home so I never have to worry about CC in my personal life. I figure the more I partake in "risky" behaviors, the more likely I am to get glutened, and I like to save up my risky behaviors for eating out. There are plenty of gluten-free personal care products out there, so it's not at all inconvenience for me.

[darlindeb25]

It's a personal preference, I guess. BUT, using gluten free products give you one less thing to worry about. Honestly, why does there need to be gluten in shampoo, conditioner, soaps, etc???? I have to have all my products gluten free. I never had DH, yet my skin reacts to gluten and other grains. Products with oatmeal, make me itch, as does soy, or corn. Gluten makes me break out in hives, and I learned all this by accident. Gluten free products are every bit as good as gluten containing products and they do not cost anymore. Dove products are gluten free and they are high priced. I use Pantene on my hair, it does cost more, but I was using it before going gluten free. Most Softsoap is gluten-free, most toothpaste is, most deodorants are...the list goes on and on. Using gluten free products on your skin is the smart way to go...staying with a gluten product is like playing russian roulette.

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

I definitely use gluten-free shampoos and such. My shampoo is by Desert Essence (I get it at the health food store), but Neutrogena makes some as well. There is a list on this forum of Neutrogena products that are gluten-free. I use Neutrogena Foaming Cleanser. I am switching my moisturizer from Olay (not sure if gluten-free) to one by MyChelle which some people have talked about in the forum. You can get it at Sprouts. I believe both Secret and Lady Mennen? are gluten-free. I use either Crest or Colgate toothpaste. For lipsticks I use Burts Bees lip shimmers and Chanel gloss. There is a thread for Everyday Minerals going on that is several pages long. You can PM me if you want more info.

Hope this helps. The decision is yours is you want to switch everything. At first, I thought it was ridiculous. I thought, who swallows shampoo. Well, I realized that I may not swallow it, but it definitely gets in my mouth sometimes. Also, I don't want to worry about residue left on my hands from me putting on moisturizer, makeup, etc.

[jparsick84]

As a sufferer of severe DH, I can tell you it's safer to just go totally gluten-free. My head kept having these bumps that felt like mosquito bites, but in my hair, and I couldn't figure out what was causing it. Then I looked at my hair gel - "wheat gluten, oat protein, barley extract".

It could be just that I'm sensitive to gluten stuff on my skin, but I agree with what has been said already - why risk that accidental glutening?

[jparsick84]

Oh, and now I use Suave shampoos and conditioners, Victoria's Secret body washes, Crest toothpaste, Got2Be hair glue, Suave hairspray, Udderly Smooth Cow Cream, Lip Medix lip product, SoftSoap hand soap, Burt's Bees lip products, and Mitchum for Women deodorant.

All of these products are safe for me, so they should be safe for you too. Just make sure you read the label. If it's too small for me to read, it's not worth my time!

[Gemini]

It's a personal preference, I guess. BUT, using gluten free products give you one less thing to worry about. Honestly, why does there need to be gluten in shampoo, conditioner, soaps, etc???? I have to have all my products gluten free. I never had DH, yet my skin reacts to gluten and other grains. Products with oatmeal, make me itch, as does soy, or corn. Gluten makes me break out in hives, and I learned all this by accident. Gluten free products are every bit as good as gluten containing products and they do not cost anymore. Dove products are gluten free and they are high priced. I use Pantene on my hair, it does cost more, but I was using it before going gluten free. Most Softsoap is gluten-free, most toothpaste is, most deodorants are...the list goes on and on. Using gluten free products on your skin is the smart way to go...staying with a gluten product is like playing russian roulette.

As I said in my original posting, it is all personal preference and comfort level. I have no problem if someone feels they are playing Russian Roulette and chooses not to use any gluten containing products. I do not look at things the same way and know I am at 0% risk of CC as I have done so successfully for the past 3 years. I also do not have any contact allergies to grains so it's far safer for me than for those that do.

You will also find that the better the product you use, the less chance of it containing anything connected to gluten. I found out after checking that the majority of what I use is gluten-free but not all of it. As I like the products and doubt I would find anything better, I still use them and am careful not to ingest any.

What I think most important to teach the newly diagnosed is the correct medical facts on the disease and not give erroneous information. While some may react topically to gluten, that would be an allergy and will not cause any damage to the intestinal tract. It is not a glutening.

[leadmeastray88]

That's great - thank you all for your responses!

That definitely cleared a lot things up for me - I wasn't sure if gluten could be absorbed through skin contact and now I know Thanks!

[ericajones80]

use gluten free products just to be safe...thats what i do

[darlindeb25]

What I think most important to teach the newly diagnosed is the correct medical facts on the disease and not give erroneous information.

Sorry Gemini, I think telling a celiac/gluten intolerant it's ok to use gluten containing products, IS erroneous information. You've just been lucky so far, or maybe you just do not know you are reacting to gluten in products. All celiac's should use gluten free products, and, all newbie's should switch to gluten-free free products just for the fact that they can't know they are healing while still using gluten products.

I didn't attack your statements simply because I knew enough people would tell her to use gluten free products, and they would help her make up her mind. Singling me out allows me the right to respond to you. You have been lucky so far, I hope your luck holds out for you, I seeing a celiac get glutened.

[Gemini]

Sorry Gemini, I think telling a celiac/gluten intolerant it's ok to use gluten containing products, IS erroneous information. You've just been lucky so far, or maybe you just do not know you are reacting to gluten in products. All celiac's should use gluten free products, and, all newbie's should switch to gluten-free free products just for the fact that they can't know they are healing while still using gluten products.

I didn't attack your statements simply because I knew enough people would tell her to use gluten free products, and they would help her make up her mind. Singling me out allows me the right to respond to you. You have been lucky so far, I hope your luck holds out for you, I seeing a celiac get glutened.

Let me see if I can't make myself clearer so that you do not feel that you are being attacked. No one, including myself, is attacking anyone so you need to become less sensitive. I was stating my opinion on SOLID, MEDICAL FACT but apparently, that is not something many Celiacs rely upon. I did not gleen my information from a quack posing as a doctor, I actually took the time to read the book from one of the leading Celiac doctors and researchers in this country. Doesn't get any better than that. Just because you believe that it is unsafe to use gluten containing products topically does not make it true. I have also spoken with many specialists on this topic so I would be sure to get it right and they say the same thing......unless you are drinking or ingesting shampoo, make-up, etc., it is NOT a problem unless you are the type to worry excessively about it or have habits that may get you into trouble. For those that are, it might be prudent for you do go completely gluten-free so it won't become an obsession. Their words, not mine.

As far as me being lucky, I don't think so. I have spent the past 25 years studying nutrition and the past 3 years learning the correct medical facts concerning celiac disease. I was one of those who presented classically and was down to 98 pounds at diagnosis and losing weight every day. When I am glutened,, which has only happened a couple of times in the past 3 1/2 years, I know I have been glutened. I also get my blood work repeated often and with the numbers I am showing, there is no gluten getting into my system. It is not luck but hard work on my part, although it's now second nature. Anyone can do this, with some learning a little hard work.

I still believe that many newly diagnosed are receiving incorrect information, based on someone else's fears. All the people that write in to this forum are mostly adults and when given the correct information, are old enough to make their own decisions about how they live with celiac disease. It's a gluten filled world out there and you have to learn to handle that fact and live with it comfortably or it's going to be a miserable existence. You have a right to your opinion and live your life the way you see fit but it's a disservice to newbies to say I am wrong when all the leading research says otherwise. It may be difficult to diagnose Celiac Disease unless you are at end stage but treating it is well established and I stand by my information posted here.

[darlindeb25]

You have a right to your opinion and live your life the way you see fit but it's a disservice to newbies to say I am wrong when all the leading research says otherwise.

You have a right to your opinion, yet it's a disservice to newbies to say I am wrong too. There is just as much research out there stating a celiac/gluten intolerant should be TOTALLY gluten free, including topical products! The research you are speaking of is just part of the research. Many doctors also say you must have DQ2 or DQ8 genes to be celiac, yet many others have proven that to be a false statement! We are at the mercy of people who do not suffer from this disease, they do not live it day to day. Many of us who have gone years and years without a diagnosis have come to realize...doctors do not know everything there is to know about celiac, if they did, there would not be an average of 11 yrs for a diagnosis. It's getting better, but we have a long way to go still.

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I was stating my opinion on SOLID, MEDICAL FACT but apparently, that is not something many Celiacs rely upon. I did not gleen my information from a quack posing as a doctor, I actually took the time to read the book from one of the leading Celiac doctors and researchers in this country.

I have read SOLID MEDICAL FACTS too. I know Dr. Green, I have talked to him many times, and he IS the leading celiac doctor in America. He never tells patients you absolutely can not get glutened by topical products. I have read many, many reports by Dr. Hadjivassilou...also one of the leading celiac doctors! His opinions are very different from some.

The thing about celiac doctors, 99% do not have celiac/gluten intolerance--they do not live this day after day. In your opinion, topical products do not matter, in my opinion, every newbie should go totally gluten free, including topical products---BUT, this is just our opinions! Not all doctors agree.

This is from Scott Adams here in this forum:

https://www.celiac.com/articles/35/1/Can-pr...iacs/Page1.html

Can products which contain gluten but only touch the skin affect celiacs?*

Very few celiacs are likely to have any reaction to topical gluten contact. In order for a gut reaction to occur, it is likely that direct contact with the gut lumen is required. Many people with celiac disease have everyday contact with gluten (for instance, bakers with celiac disease who have contact everyday with wheat flour), and do not have any reaction to it. However, there are, on rare occasion, people who have had an anaphylactoid response to gluten, and these people should avoid gluten in all forms. Also, topical gluten breathed into the upper airways may cause symptoms of allergic rhetinitis in rare instances. If there is a simple alternative to a shampoo, cosmetic, etc., you may want to use the non gluten containing product.

I tell newbies to go totally gluten free for their own safety. After they are feeling better and have had time to heal, and know they are gluten free, then they can add such products back in and see what happens. You can't know the product is or isn't effecting you without removing it first!

[gpierre]

I use the gluten-free neutrogena series!

[darlindeb25]

I haven't checked Walmart brands, but I'm betting they will say if they are gluten free or not. Many of the Equate products are nice, and I have noticed that Walmart is listing gluten status on their products. I never felt their shampoo that is similiar to Pantene was any comparison, but then I do not think anything compares to Pantene. I'm sure their body soaps and such are nice. I have always used their Equate ibuprofen.

[kera87]

Hey guys, I work at a magazine where we get tons of products sent to us daily, and I constantly read the labels before I try something. One product I found and loved is called Desert Essence Organics, they have tons of great products that are affordable! All of their products are 100% wheat and gluten free which makes me feel safe. You can get them from Whole Foods or order online.

It's definitely getting harder to find products without "hydrolized wheat germ" or whatever else they call it.

[wakefield]

I was diagnosed in May and have been miserable not being able to wear lipstick. So after much research into lipsticks--considering I have a fair number in my drawer--I learned that Lancome is safe/gluten free. MAC; however, is not nor were they at all willing to help me out in returning the brand new unopened lipsticks. They really did not care.

Retesting blood tests was mentioned for the future. I will do it but I must find out what my blood test level was. It must have been significant as the doctor insisted I have a colonoscopy and endoscopy which I did. Could someone tell me the safe, unsafe blood ranges?

[Jenny (AZ via TX)]

Hey guys, I work at a magazine where we get tons of products sent to us daily, and I constantly read the labels before I try something. One product I found and loved is called Desert Essence Organics, they have tons of great products that are affordable! All of their products are 100% wheat and gluten free which makes me feel safe. You can get them from Whole Foods or order online.

It's definitely getting harder to find products without "hydrolized wheat germ" or whatever else they call it.

I love these products! I use the shampoo and conditioner, the blemish stick, and the lotions. I get mine at my local health food store. It's a lot cheaper than Whole Foods. So, if you want to try this line, check the smaller health food stores. They are about 1/2 the price of Whole Foods.