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Just Diagnosed With Celiac...do I Really Need Special Shampoo And Body Wash?

ScarlettsMommy

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ScarlettsMommy Explorer
ScarlettsMommy
Posted

I see alot of people talking about special body wash and shampoo...I was just diagnosed yesterday and Friday Im going to start my gluten free diet..but is it that necessary to buy gluten free hair care and body products? I thought just ingesting them was the problem..and to be honest I didnt even know gluten was in products like that. Thank you!

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Silencio Enthusiast
Silencio
Posted

I just saw a nutritionist and she said its not a big deal if you use shampoo with any sort of gluten in it unless you have an extreme case and very sencitive to it.

FernW Rookie
FernW
Posted

Sensitive or not if you are putting gluten into your body you are doing damage, whether you feel it or not. I changed everything, makeup, shampoo, body lotion etc, and I am glad I did

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

I see alot of people talking about special body wash and shampoo...I was just diagnosed yesterday and Friday Im going to start my gluten free diet..but is it that necessary to buy gluten free hair care and body products? I thought just ingesting them was the problem..and to be honest I didnt even know gluten was in products like that. Thank you!

It depends on your habits. You have to ingest gluten to start an autoimmune reaction so if you feel that you may swallow some shampoo with wheat components in it, then you may feel more comfortable going entirely gluten free.

If you are careful and use gluten-free products where it is important to do so, like hand cream and lip products (where it counts and the risk of contamination is high) then using other products should not pose a problem.

I do not screen make-up or hair products but do not ingest them. I have healed fine with no on going problems.

I am comfortable with that.

Di2011 Enthusiast
Di2011
Posted

May depend on your symtpoms. For us DH/skin problem members it seems to be often essential. I can't even use bandaids because I have a terrible reaction - presumably because of gluten containing ingredients in the adhesive. I can't even tolerate gums but that is very unusual ( but not so unusual for sensitive/skin sensitive glutenfree folk ).

I'd recommend gluten/wheat free products for anyone with any sort of gluten issue but you may be tolerant.

Darn210 Enthusiast
Darn210
Posted

Don't be worried about "special" meaning $$$$ . . . there are many regular products that are safe.

We use Dove soap, shampoo and conditioner. Suave products are OK as well.

Pema Newbie
Pema
Posted

Hi,

I thought at first gluten intolerance was about just food but when some intense itching came my way by way of my laundry detergent and shampoo (both had wheat proteins), that opened up a whole other can of worms. I realized quickly that the skin being the largest organ in the body ingests things into your body like your digestive system does. I don't have full-on Celiac, but I just live as if I do so as to avoid any problems and that has made things very easy. I just avoid wheat all across the board.

The safest thing I found to do as far as beauty products went was avoiding all body lotions and using coconut oil and shea butters. They work fantastic and feel great! For my hair and face, I went with Morrocco Method products. They are completely natural, pure, raw vegan, gluten-free and fair trade to boot :)

I hope your journey is not wrought with too many challenges and that you are healthy and happy!

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Michelle1234 Contributor
Michelle1234
Posted

I would say yes. Try wearing a pair of glasses in the shower and see if they don't get wet with soap and shampoo on them. They are just a few inches from your lips. I had to change out all personal products, laundry detergent, pet shampoo etc.

Good luck,

Michelle

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

Hi,

I thought at first gluten intolerance was about just food but when some intense itching came my way by way of my laundry detergent and shampoo (both had wheat proteins), that opened up a whole other can of worms. I realized quickly that the skin being the largest organ in the body ingests things into your body like your digestive system does. I don't have full-on Celiac, but I just live as if I do so as to avoid any problems and that has made things very easy. I just avoid wheat all across the board.

The safest thing I found to do as far as beauty products went was avoiding all body lotions and using coconut oil and shea butters. They work fantastic and feel great! For my hair and face, I went with Morrocco Method products. They are completely natural, pure, raw vegan, gluten-free and fair trade to boot :)

I hope your journey is not wrought with too many challenges and that you are healthy and happy!

I think you are confusing a topical wheat allergy with a true Celiac reaction. You cannot absorb gluten through the skin, period. The molecule is too large. Intense itching after using a wheat based topical product is an allergic reaction and not an intolerance reaction. There are many Celiacs who can successfully use some non-gluten-free products on their skin without issue because they do not ingest them into their GI tract. That's the key.

mbrookes Community Regular
mbrookes
Posted

Listen to Gemini. So nice to hear a voice of reason. Just be careful not to drink your shampoo or spread moisturizer on you toast.

sa1937 Community Regular
sa1937
Posted

Just be careful not to drink your shampoo or spread moisturizer on you toast.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

ScarlettsMommy Explorer
ScarlettsMommy
Posted
  • Author

I think you are confusing a topical wheat allergy with a true Celiac reaction. You cannot absorb gluten through the skin, period. The molecule is too large. Intense itching after using a wheat based topical product is an allergic reaction and not an intolerance reaction. There are many Celiacs who can successfully use some non-gluten-free products on their skin without issue because they do not ingest them into their GI tract. That's the key.

Thank you!! that helped me out alot. Being new to this Celiac thing I hear things left and right that are contradicting but this made sense. Thanks!!

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

Listen to Gemini. So nice to hear a voice of reason. Just be careful not to drink your shampoo or spread moisturizer on you toast.

It's also nice to hear someone with a fabulous sense of humor!!!! That was beautiful! I'm still laughing..... :lol::P

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

Thank you!! that helped me out alot. Being new to this Celiac thing I hear things left and right that are contradicting but this made sense. Thanks!!

Your welcome. Don't worry...this will all be second nature to you very soon. You become immersed in it for awhile during the learning process but then you just automatically know what to do....most of the time! As long as what you do doesn't end up with gluten in your GI tract, you should be fine. :D

love2travel Mentor
love2travel
Posted

Perhaps your shampoo would improve the taste and texture of the dreaded Ener-G bread! Might soften it up a bit... :D

butterfl8 Rookie
butterfl8
Posted

Just my story, take from it what you will. I was using a lotion, didn't really care about the ingredients. I kept feeling just a little bit sick in the morning. I knew the Udi's muffins were ok (certified gluten-free), so I started trying to figure things out. The lotion. I would put it on, then go downstairs and eat breakfast. Changed lotions and no more problems.

I was taking a shower, washing my face, had my gluten-free face wash. The shower caddy slipped, and my reaction was to inhale 'sharply,' ya know? like a surprise reaction. I felt the soap burning the back of my throat. Good thing I didn't have to worry about a possible reaction!

So no, I don't think gluten molecules can get from your skin to your digestive tract. Just my opinion! But I have gluten-free shower stuff. I think it's just a bit easier! I use pantene shampoo, the conditioner from my hair dye (feria), and a bar of soap. For lotion? I found grapeseeed oil. It's not greasy, and makes my skin super happy!

My thoughts are to monitor yourself. Do you think you could feel better? Still a little tired? Try the gluten-free products in the bath. It can't hurt!

-Daisy

heatherjane Contributor
heatherjane
Posted

May depend on your symtpoms. For us DH/skin problem members it seems to be often essential. I can't even use bandaids because I have a terrible reaction - presumably because of gluten containing ingredients in the adhesive. I can't even tolerate gums but that is very unusual ( but not so unusual for sensitive/skin sensitive glutenfree folk ).

I'd recommend gluten/wheat free products for anyone with any sort of gluten issue but you may be tolerant.

FYI - gluten in adhesives is a myth that has been going around the celiac community for years. It's not true.

I get rashes from band-aids as well, but it's not because of gluten, and I do not have DH.

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