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Reaction To Wheat Protein In My Hairspray?

kimann79

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kimann79 Apprentice
kimann79
Posted

I've been gluten free for about a month or so now. I'm not a diagnosed celiac- just trying to figure out if I have a problem with it.

I used some hairspray this morning that I haven't used in a few months and within twenty minutes my neck, collarbone and back of my neck all the way to the neckline of my shirt broke out with an angry red rash. There were a few bumps and it was mildly itchy but mainly it was just a bright red, flat rash. My husband checked the bottle and it did say it contained wheat protein (I didn't even think to check this morning. My shampoo, soap and conditioner are all gluten free.) It's been about twelve hours and most of it has faded. There are still a couple spots on one side of my neck where I sprayed the most to keep my bangs pushed back. I've tried to be careful with cross contamination and my diet. I've not noticed a huge difference with my digestive issues but I really don't think this can be psychosomatic since I didn't even know there was wheat in it and my husband noticed the rash before I had even looked in the mirror.

I guess I am wondering if anyone has had anything like this happen and could it be the result of the wheat protein?

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ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Yes it could be. You may even have an allergy to wheat as well as celiac, some do. I would use a different hairspray and good for you for making sure the other stuff is gluten free already.

kimann79 Apprentice
kimann79
Posted
  • Author

Yes it could be. You may even have an allergy to wheat as well as celiac, some do. I would use a different hairspray and good for you for making sure the other stuff is gluten free already.

I may have spoke too soon. I just heard that vitamin E may be wheat derived. Is that true?

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I may have spoke too soon. I just heard that vitamin E may be wheat derived. Is that true?

Yes it is, it can also be soy derived which is also an issue for me. If the tocepheral is D-tocepheral it is not derived from either soy or wheat. That's what I look for in supplements and topicals.

Garneir makes some good safe products, I use them for skin and hair care but do read the labels.

Suave and Dove supposedly are good at labeling for gluten ingredients also. If you like organics you might want to look into Giovanni, I haven't used them in a while so can't say for sure they are okay. Shikai is another brand I often use.

kimann79 Apprentice
kimann79
Posted
  • Author

Okay, thanks. I'll check out some of those brands. I do try to stay away from sulfates and parabens. I wonder if I've been having skin problem lately because of the ingredients in my hair products and makeup. My scalp has been painfully sore with little bumps all over and I've been breaking out in weird pimply rashes on my face. I'll get rid of all my stuff and start over and see what happens.

m231 Newbie
m231
Posted

I have a flat red rash on both sides of my neck under my ears that could be due to using gluten hair products. I was recently dx with gluten sensitivity and have been gluten free (food and cosmetics) for a couple of weeks. The rash is still there, though.

If you PM me with your email, I'll send you pics of mine. I haven't taken the time to figure out how to post photos here.

kimann79 Apprentice
kimann79
Posted
  • Author

I have a flat red rash on both sides of my neck under my ears that could be due to using gluten hair products. I was recently dx with gluten sensitivity and have been gluten free (food and cosmetics) for a couple of weeks. The rash is still there, though.

If you PM me with your email, I'll send you pics of mine. I haven't taken the time to figure out how to post photos here.

Message sent. :)

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julandjo Explorer
julandjo
Posted

Yes that's totally possible! I went and had my hair done several weeks ago. On the drive home from the salon I noticed one leg was itching, then the arm on that same side of my body, then my face and neck. I looked down and there were red spots all over me! The stylist had used hairspray on me and I liked it so much I bought a can of it. I checked the ingredients and whaddya know? Wheat protein! The reason one leg and one arm got it? I was wearing shorts and had my legs crossed, and had one arm out from under the cape.

That experience helped me feel a lot less crazy, as I had no idea I'd been exposed to wheat and suddenly had a raging itching rash that anyone could see. :) Not psychosomatic at all!

Oh, and for what it's worth, my skin allergy test for wheat was negative. Go figure!

Ahorsesoul Enthusiast
Ahorsesoul
Posted

Yep, the doctors will say it's all in our head but it's really ON our head! I react to it too.

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    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
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