Why Do We Need To Check Shampoo, Soap, Etc?

[tasha]

I think I've missed something here. I was told by my dietitian to check all my cosmetics, hair stuff, etc. to see if they are gluten free and it appears that everyone on here has done that as well. I just haven't clued in as to why this is necessary.

I did check all the stuff I use on my lips but, if I don't have DH, why should I be checking all of these items? None of this stuff finds its way to my digestive system.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone could provide reasons as to why they feel the need to check these types of things it would be really helpful...I just have no motivation to check the gluten-free status when I don't understand the reason behind it.

Thanks!

[pixiegirl]

Well I felt like you in the beginning too and I still use some shampoo's that may contain wheat in them (my Bumble and Bumble.... but I have very fine fly away hair and it really adds body and bounce) but I use a hand held shower sprayer and make sure I rinse it down my back not near my face or mouth.

However that being said, since even a little gluten can make us sick its important for us not to ingest even a little bit and I guess those people are just being super sensitive. I don't think you can get symptoms of being glutened by rubbing a body lotion that contains gluten on your leg for example. However you have to be sure not to get it in your mouth, ie, be sure you wash it off your hands and etc. I think for a lot of people its just easier all the way around to be totally gluten free.

Susan

[KaitiUSA]

Any avenue of getting gluten into your mouth needs to be crossed off. It's easy to get these products into your mouth. It is not a level of sensitivity, celiac is an all or nothing thing and even the smallest bit of gluten can cause damage.

I was using lip balm a while back that turned out to have vitamin e derived from wheat and I was extremely sick from it. Some people may or may not get symptoms but it still does the damage.

Take soap for example, you wash your hands, say with gluten containing soap. After you wash your hands you prepare your food. Well, now your food has traces of gluten...same with lotions that you put on your hands.

Now I use all gluten free products so I know I don't have to worry about that. It's easier for that stuff to get into your mouth then you think.

With lipsticks it is a no brainer-it is right on your lips and will most definitely get traces into your mouth. I think that makeups are essential in needing to be gluten free.

[FaithInScienceToo]

WOW....

I just now realized that I DO need to get rid of ALL of my gluten-containing skin products...

I had thought that it wasn't necessary to do this beyond things that go directly on my lips or in my mouth...

BUT...ALL of us touch our skin, and DO risk contamination...and it WILL happen if we use gluten-containing skin products...

No wonder I still have symptoms now and again, even when I think I am 100% gluten-free ...

Well...I now have more homework to do, and I have MANY UN-OPENED products to part with, as I stock up when I see sales of expensive stuff I have been using...but, I have a 15-year-old niece who will be in heaven to receive them!

And...I have just begun to date a non-Celiac...whom I REALLY LIKE to touch and kiss :-)

Good grief...

Maybe I should make a "non-gluten skin care products" basket for him when I shop for my new products?

I should probably give him AT LEAST a gluten-free chapstick...since he plays harmonica, and I bet he needs one now and again...

I need a little bit this morning, as we kissed a lot last night ;-)

And....I kissed him after he drank a beer

...I didn't even think about it until I was driving home from our date...

but, it had been 4 months since last kissing someone, so I guess I get 'a break' on this little error...

I had a lovely night sweat last night , and some weirdo dreams...(but my period is due, so it could be from that...)

Anyway...I will talk to him about not being able to kiss him after he drinks beer...I only mentioned it to him briefly in an e-mail...and EVEN I FORGOT!!!

Well....I have a feeling he'll be switching to soda or wine around me...and/or trying out some of those new gluten-free beers? :-)

I guess this will be a good measure of his continued interest in me ...not a bad thing, actually....

OK...well....

THANKS to those of you who have pushed this issue...

LOVE YOU ALL!

Gina

[frenchiemama]

Yeah, I had to give up my favorite hair product of all time because the second ingredient was "hydrolized wheat protein" and I have a nervous habit of twisting my hair ALL the time. Boo.