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

Piercings Rejecting-related To Gluten?


pdx.lila

Recommended Posts

pdx.lila Rookie

so about 2 years ago I got my nipples pierced. I never had any problems with them until about May of this year. Then they started weeping(oozing) and being extremely tender. This was about the same time I noticed my celiac symptoms getting worse. I don't usually have skin reactions although I've been noticing a reaction to my non gluten free soap lately.

I use Aveeno soap in the shower to clean my piercings (then do salt water soaks) and this has oatmeal in it...anyone think that there's any chance this could be irritating the piercings so much that this is why they're rejecting? It'd be useful to get some advice because I haven't heard much about celiac in relation to piercings,and I want to be able to take good care of my piercings in the future.

Thanks!


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



JillianLindsay Enthusiast

It is advisable to change your body wash and soaps if you are reacting to them.

About the piercings, nipple piercings can reject, especially if they're not done properly (not far back enough, not enough skin to keep them in). If the jewelry gauge is too thin or the piercing isn't deep enough to begin with, you run the risk of rejection. If you have an allergy to the metal, it could cause it to reject. If you have problems with infection and/or tug and pull on it too much, it could reject.

It's hard to know for sure whether it's the gluten or the piercing -- try changing the body wash to see if it gets better.

Good luck!

Jillian

so about 2 years ago I got my nipples pierced. I never had any problems with them until about May of this year. Then they started weeping(oozing) and being extremely tender. This was about the same time I noticed my celiac symptoms getting worse. I don't usually have skin reactions although I've been noticing a reaction to my non gluten free soap lately.

I use Aveeno soap in the shower to clean my piercings (then do salt water soaks) and this has oatmeal in it...anyone think that there's any chance this could be irritating the piercings so much that this is why they're rejecting? It'd be useful to get some advice because I haven't heard much about celiac in relation to piercings,and I want to be able to take good care of my piercings in the future.

Thanks!

Generic Apprentice

Also if you have barbells and if they are too short they won't heal well. Try useing Dr. bronner's hemp soap. It is fantastick. wroks great to heal piercings.

Evie4 Apprentice

I've been wondering if my progessive problem with gluten has had anything to do with my inability to wear earrings for about a year and a half now. I've always been able to wear 14k gold and I even went to 18k, but still had a problem. I wore earrings successfully for almost 30 years. I bought some niobium hooks to try, but haven't as I found it pointless since one lobe hurts to even put the earring through the hole. Maybe I'll try in another year when I 've been gluten free longer. I'm hoping it's not an allergy--I hope I can return to wearing my earrings.

  • 1 month later...
Laurelf Explorer

It could be nickel allergy. I developed that out of the blue a couple of years ago. My wedding band which had been fine for 10 years suddenly caused my finger to swell and turn red and itch and I had to have the band cut off. Even though it was supposed to be gold, it had white gold mixed in which often contains nickel. You have to really make sure that gold is 100% pure as they often stick nickel in without telling you. I switched to stanless steel watch as my wrist had a problem with the gold watch.

Good luck

  • 2 weeks later...
positivenrgfairy Apprentice

Hello! I have no idea if it's related to gluten or not, but I had an eyebrow piercing that got rejected when I was in college. I also can't wear earrings and I'm so sensitive to most metals that I break out into a rash when I wear jeans (just a tiny one on my right hip where they put the little stud)

I haven't been wearing jeans lately so I don't know if it has gone away since being gluten-free.

I definitely had bad problems with DH (having no clue what it was of course) before going gluten-free, so maybe they are related.

it would be so awesome if I could wear earrings again!!

tarnalberry Community Regular

I started getting a bit of pain in the piercings in my ears - pretty sure it was the nickle in the sterling silver. They'd be ok for a day, but only that long. Rather than let the situation get worse, I switched to niobium, and haven't had any problems.


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



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



pufffee Apprentice
so about 2 years ago I got my nipples pierced. I never had any problems with them until about May of this year. Then they started weeping(oozing) and being extremely tender. This was about the same time I noticed my celiac symptoms getting worse. I don't usually have skin reactions although I've been noticing a reaction to my non gluten free soap lately.

I use Aveeno soap in the shower to clean my piercings (then do salt water soaks) and this has oatmeal in it...anyone think that there's any chance this could be irritating the piercings so much that this is why they're rejecting? It'd be useful to get some advice because I haven't heard much about celiac in relation to piercings,and I want to be able to take good care of my piercings in the future.

Thanks!

Hi There

Nipple piercings can take years to heal properly. It is an extremely sensitive area and women can even lose feeling after they are done. I am a man and had mine done for a year or two and they never healed 100%. I had them done vertically to be a tad different and the barbells were real small, this causes alot more irratation, as another member also mentioned. Having many piercings in my earlier life, I would say this was the most time consuming and sensitive. I am not a Dr. lol, but been around that needle many times. This is most likely and issue of soap, type of metal, barbell or hoop used. Try some things out. But be careful on who you speak to. Some people are quick to give you answers. They will say theirs healed in a month or two, yet that same person can get infection a year later. Best of luck!

Mysh Rookie

wow! interesting!

I'd had my ears pierced since I was a little girl but have had numerous times when my body just rejected them. I'd wait a few months and get them repierced. I always thought I just couldn't wear "cheap" earrings.

I took my earrings out a few years ago when my youngest took a fancy to them and let the holes close up. Since then, I've tried 4 times to have them repierced. No amount of good earrings, cleaning solutions etc allows me to keep them. My body just rejects them totally.

I hate it because I am real girlie girl :P

tarnalberry Community Regular
I took my earrings out a few years ago when my youngest took a fancy to them and let the holes close up. Since then, I've tried 4 times to have them repierced. No amount of good earrings, cleaning solutions etc allows me to keep them. My body just rejects them totally.

Have you tried stainless steel, niobium, or titanium? They might not be "good" (as in fancy), but they tend to be the least allergenic.

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. - Jane02 replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      314

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

    2. - Jane02 replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      314

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

    3. - knitty kitty replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      314

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

    4. - trents commented on Amiah's blog entry in Amiah
      1

      Help!!

    5. - Scott Adams replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      314

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

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

    • Total Members
      133,582
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

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

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):
  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Jane02
      Sorry, I just realized how old this thread is and only read the initial post from 2021. I'll have to catch up on the comments in this thread. 
    • Jane02
      Sorry to hear you're going through such a hard time. It would be worth looking into MCAS/histamine issues and also Long Covid. Perhaps there is something occurring in addition to celiac disease. It would be worth ruling out micronutrient deficiencies such as the b vitamins (B12, folate, B1, etc), vit D, and ferritin (iron stores). 
    • knitty kitty
      This sounds very similar to the neuropathic pain I experienced with type two diabetes.  Gloves and boots pattern of neuropathy is common with deficiencies in Cobalamine B12 (especially the pain in the big toe), Niacin B3, and Pyridoxine B6.  These are vitamins frequently found to be low in people with pre-diabetes and diabetes.  Remember that blood tests for vitamin levels is terribly inaccurate.  You can have vitamin deficiencies before there are any changes in blood levels.  You can have "normal" serum levels, but be deficient inside organs and tissues where the vitamins are actually utilized.  The blood is a transportation system, moving vitamins absorbed in the intestines to organs and tissues.  Just because there's trucks on the highway doesn't mean that the warehouses are full.  The body will drain organs and tissues of their stored vitamins and send them via the bloodstream to important organs like the brain and heart.  Meanwhile, the organs and tissues are depleted and function less well.   Eating a diet high in simple carbohydrates can spike blood sugar after meals.  Eating a diet high in carbohydrates consistently over time can cause worsening of symptoms.  Thiamine and other B vitamins like Niacin B3 and Pyridoxine B6, (which I noticed you are not supplementing), are needed to turn carbs, proteins and fats into energy for the body to use.  Alcohol consumption can lower blood sugar levels, and hence, alleviate the neuropathic pain.  Alcohol destroys many B vitamins, especially Pyridoxine, Thiamine and Niacin.  With alcohol consumption, blood glucose is turned into fat, stored in the liver or abdomen, then burned for fuel, thus lowering blood glucose levels.  With the cessation of alcohol and continued high carb diet, the blood glucose levels rise again over time, resulting in worsening neuropathy.   Heavy exercise can also further delete B vitamins.  Thiamine and Niacin work in balance with each other.  Sort of like a teeter-totter, thiamine is used to produce energy and Niacin is then used to reset the cycle for thiamine one used again to produce energy.  If there's no Niacin, then the energy production cycle can't reset.  Niacin is important in regulating electrolytes for nerve impulse conduction.  Electrolyte imbalance can cause neuropathic pain.   Talk to your doctors about testing for Type Two diabetes or pre-diabetes beyond an A1C test since alcohol consumption can lower A1C giving inaccurate results. Talk to your doctors about supplementing with ALL eight B vitamins, and correcting deficiencies in Pyridoxine, Niacin, and B12.  Hope this helps! Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ P. S.  Get checked for Vitamin C deficiency, aka Scurvy.  People with Diabetes and those who consume alcohol are often low in Vitamin C which can contribute to peripheral neuropathy.
    • Scott Adams
      I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this—chronic neuropathic or nociplastic pain can be incredibly frustrating, especially when testing shows no nerve damage. It’s important to clarify for readers that this type of central sensitization pain is not the same thing as ongoing gluten exposure, particularly when labs, biopsy, and nutritional status are normal. A stocking/glove pattern with normal nerve density points toward a pain-processing disorder rather than active celiac-related injury. Alcohol temporarily dampening symptoms likely reflects its central nervous system depressant effects, not treatment of an underlying gluten issue—and high-dose alcohol is dangerous and not a safe or sustainable strategy. Seeing a pain specialist is absolutely the right next step, and we encourage members to work closely with neurology and pain management rather than assuming hidden gluten exposure when objective testing does not support it.
    • Scott Adams
      There is no credible scientific evidence that standard water filters contain gluten or pose a gluten exposure risk. Gluten is a food protein from wheat, barley, or rye—it is not used in activated carbon filtration in any meaningful way, and refrigerator or pitcher filters are not designed with food-based binders that would leach gluten into water. AI-generated search summaries are not authoritative sources, and they often speculate without documentation. Major manufacturers design filters for water purification, not food processing, and gluten contamination from a water filter would be extraordinarily unlikely. For people with celiac disease, properly functioning municipal, bottled, filtered, or distilled water is considered gluten-free.
×
×
  • 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.