Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Is It Ok To Use Shampoo/soap W/ Gluten?


jasonD2

Recommended Posts

jasonD2 Experienced

my issues are all GI and i never get rashes or anything skin related from using gluten/wheat based shampoos, lotions or soaps. can i still use these products or does it still cause villi damage? my understanding is that gluten is not absorbed into the skin cause the protein is too big


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Franceen Explorer

All of my research has found the same thing - gluten is not absorbed through the skin - but can be absorbed through mucus membranes (inside nose, mouth, etc).

I've checked all the leading authority people (U. of MD, Mayo Clinic, UVA, other famous places abroad, etc) and had it confirmed by my own 3 doctors.

I have no problem using non-ingested products with Gluten either and my symptoms were Dermatitis Herpetiformis (skin rash), followed by GI symptoms after I went gluten-free. I DO, however, watch out for lipstick, nose sprays and other things that can be ingested, even if accidentally.

I use shampoo, lotions, makeup (except lipstick), hair conditioners, powders, etc that have oats and wheat and have never had a problem.

I can't speak for others though, but am glad I don't have to look at the ingredients of cosmetic items, since they are not required by law to disclose anything!

brigala Explorer

Some people have problems with shampoo and stuff but most don't seem to. My shampoo contains wheat. I just make sure I thoroughly rinse before I get out of the shower.

I go with the theory, "don't make it harder than it already is."

I would not use a toothpaste or mouthwash that wasn't gluten-free, however. I also try to avoid hand lotions that aren't gluten-free, because that might end up on my food when I eat. But I don't go too far out of my way to make sure my lotion is gluten-free... I wash my hands often enough that the risk is probably minimal.

-Elizabeth

hannahp57 Contributor

I think most of the worry is about getting it in your mouth by mistake or something. i mean for those of us who do not react with skin rashes. i have never checked topical pruducts and have never noticed any reaction. the only thing i avoid are the hand sanitizers that may not be safe because chances are that stuff isnt always fully absorbed before the next time you put something in your mouth. i dont want sanitizer gluten all over my m&ms

darlindeb25 Collaborator

I don't believe most of the celiacs---it's some of the celiacs. I think just as many react to gluten on the skin, as those who don't. I break out in hives with gluten on my skin.

It's always best to do away with gluten containing products, be it food, or body products. You will have no idea what is glutening you if you continue to use gluten containing products, in any way. There are wonderful products out there that do not contain gluten, why take the chance??

I use Softsoap for bathing and handwashing, I use Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner, sometimes Garnier Nutrisse..I understand Suave is ok, I can't use it on my hair, it's no good for long, thick hair. Dove products are gluten free, I use their lotions. Most toothpaste is safe...I can't think of anything else right now...feel free to ask though.

taweavmo3 Enthusiast

Like everyone said, it's different for everyone. Personally, I have become sick from shampoo with wheat. I inevitably get some in my mouth, and although it doesn't make me sick right away, over the period of a few weeks, it does. It took me a while to figure that one out.

It's easy enough to find shampoos w/out wheat...Suave will clearly list wheat in their ingredients, so that's what we use.

jerseyangel Proficient
Like everyone said, it's different for everyone. Personally, I have become sick from shampoo with wheat. I inevitably get some in my mouth, and although it doesn't make me sick right away, over the period of a few weeks, it does. It took me a while to figure that one out.

Ditto all of this for me :)


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



lizard00 Enthusiast

I tend to be on the side that it doesn't get absorbed through your skin...

But, because of accidental ingestion, there are things that I make sure are gluten-free, specifically my shampoo and conditioner, for the reasons mentioned above. No, I don't drink them :lol: , but I have definitely gotten either or both in my mouth enough times to know that it could pose a risk for me. I also make sure my handsoap doesn't have gluten because I have a bad habit of putting my hands in or around my mouth while on the computer reading, watching TV, etc.

Jill89 Newbie

Can anyone give some name brands of shampoo & conditioners that are wheat free? I don't have a rash but my scalp is uncomfortable - like I've been wearing a pony tail too long.

darlindeb25 Collaborator

Dove products...Suave...Pantene...Garnier Nutrisse...Aussie...White Rain

I use Softsoap for the tub and handwashing...Johnson's Baby Powder...Dove lotions

Hope this helps some. ;)

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - xxnonamexx replied to xxnonamexx's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      27

      My journey is it gluten or fiber?

    2. - CatS commented on Scott Adams's article in Winter 2026 Issue
      5

      Are Gluten-Free Processed Foods Making You Sick? (+Video)

    3. - Samanthaeileen1 replied to Samanthaeileen1's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      5

      Thoughts? Non-endoscopic Celiac diagnosis in two year old

    4. - Wheatwacked replied to Samanthaeileen1's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      5

      Thoughts? Non-endoscopic Celiac diagnosis in two year old

    5. - RMJ replied to Samanthaeileen1's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      5

      Thoughts? Non-endoscopic Celiac diagnosis in two year old

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,805
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    lovinlifeafter60
    Newest Member
    lovinlifeafter60
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):
  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • xxnonamexx
      What about digestive enzymes that I hear help? I take align 5x probiotics daily.
    • Samanthaeileen1
      thank you RMJ! That is very helpful advice. Good to know we aren’t crazy if we don’t do the endoscopy. We are going to try the gluten free and see how symptoms and levels improve.    thank you Wheatwacked (love the username lol) that is also reassuring. Thankfully she has an amazing and experienced pediatrician. And yesss I forgot to mention the poop! She has the weirdest poop issues.    How long did it take y'all to start seeing improvement in symptoms? 
    • Wheatwacked
      My son was diagnosed when he was weaned in 1976 after several endoscopies.  Given your two year old's symptoms and your family history and your pediatrition advocating for the dx, I would agree.  Whether an endoscopy is positive or negative is irrelevant.   That may happen even with endoscopy.  Pick your doctors with that in mind. In the end you save the potential trauma of the endoscopy for your baby.   Mine also had really nasty poop.  His doctor started him on Nutramigen Infant because at the time it was the only product that was hypo allergenic and had complete nutrition. The improvement was immediate.
    • RMJ
      So her tissue transglutaminase antibody is almost 4x the upper end of the normal range - likely a real result. The other things you can do besides an endoscopy would be: 1.  Genetic testing.  Unfortunately a large proportion of the population has genes permissive for celiac disease, but only a small proportion of those with the genes have it. With family history it is likely she has the genes. 2.  Try a gluten free diet and see if the symptoms go away AND the antibody levels return to normal. (This is what I would do). Endoscopies aren’t always accurate in patients as young as your daughter. Unfortunately, without an endoscopy, some doctor later in her life may question whether she really has celiac disease or not, and you’ll need to be a fierce mama bear to defend the diagnosis! Be sure you have a good written record of her current pediatrician’s diagnosis. Doing a gluten challenge for an endoscopy later in life could cause a very uncomfortable level of symptoms.   Having yourself, your husband and your son tested would be a great idea.  
    • Samanthaeileen1
      here are the lab ranges.  Normal ranges for tissue transglutaminase are: <15.0 Antibody not detected > or = 15.0 Antibody detected normal for endomysial antibody is < 1.5. So she is barely positive but still positive. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.