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

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

ScarlettsMommy

Recommended Posts

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!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


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!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


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.

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • 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. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Butch68's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Guinness, can you drink it?

      This is a very common question, and the most important thing to know is that no, Guinness is not considered safe for individuals with coeliac disease. While it's fascinating to hear anecdotes from other coeliacs who can drink it without immediate issues, this is a risky exception rather than the rule. The core issue is that Guinness is brewed from barley...
    2. MogwaiStripe
      - MogwaiStripe replied to Midwestern's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      15

      Gluten Issues and Vitamin D

      Interestingly, this thought occurred to me last night. I did find that there are studies investigating whether vitamin D deficiency can actually trigger celiac disease. Source: National Institutes of Health https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7231074/
    3. Scott Adams
      0

      Tahini Swirl Fudgy Brownies (Gluten-Free)

    4. Butch68
      - Butch68 posted a topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      1

      Guinness, can you drink it?

      Before being diagnosed coeliac I used to love Guinness. Being made from barley it should be something a coeliac shouldn’t drink. But taking to another coeliac and they can drink it with no ill effects and have heard of others who can drink it too. is this everyone’s experience? Can I drink it? I get dermatitis herpetiformis and don’t get instant react...
    5. trents
      - trents replied to Xravith's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      17

      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      NCGS does not cause damage to the small bowel villi so, if indeed you were not skimping on gluten when you had the antibody blood testing done, it is likely you have celiac disease.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,212
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Melissa McGowan
    Newest Member
    Melissa McGowan
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Guinness, can you drink it?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      This is a very common question, and the most important thing to know is that no, Guinness is not considered safe for individuals with coeliac disease. While it's fascinating to hear anecdotes from other coeliacs who can drink it without immediate issues, this is a risky exception rather than the rule. The core issue is that Guinness is brewed from barley, which contains gluten, and the standard brewing process does not remove the gluten protein to a level safe for coeliacs (below 20ppm). For someone like you who experiences dermatitis herpetiformis, the reaction is particularly significant. DH is triggered by gluten ingestion, even without immediate gastrointestinal symptoms. So, while you may not feel an instant stomach upset, drinking a gluten-containing beer like Guinness could very well provoke a flare-up of your skin condition days later. It would be a gamble with a potentially uncomfortable and long-lasting consequence. Fortunately, there are excellent, certified gluten-free stouts available now that can provide a safe and satisfying alternative without the risk.
    • MogwaiStripe
      Gluten Issues and Vitamin D

      By MogwaiStripe · Posted

      Interestingly, this thought occurred to me last night. I did find that there are studies investigating whether vitamin D deficiency can actually trigger celiac disease.  Source: National Institutes of Health https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7231074/ 
    • Butch68
      Guinness, can you drink it?

      By Butch68 · Posted

      Before being diagnosed coeliac I used to love Guinness. Being made from barley it should be something a coeliac shouldn’t drink. But taking to another coeliac and they can drink it with no ill effects and have heard of others who can drink it too.  is this everyone’s experience?  Can I drink it?  I get dermatitis herpetiformis and don’t get instant reactions to gluten so can’t try it to see for myself. 
    • trents
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By trents · Posted

      NCGS does not cause damage to the small bowel villi so, if indeed you were not skimping on gluten when you had the antibody blood testing done, it is likely you have celiac disease.
    • Scott Adams
      Taking Probiotics but Still Getting Sick After Gluten – Advice?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I will assume you did the gluten challenge properly and were eating a lot of gluten daily for 6-8 weeks before your test, but if not, that could be the issue. You can still have celiac disease with negative blood test results, although it's not as common:  Clinical and genetic profile of patients with seronegative coeliac disease: the natural history and response to gluten-free diet: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5606118/  Seronegative Celiac Disease - A Challenging Case: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9441776/  Enteropathies with villous atrophy but negative coeliac serology in adults: current issues: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34764141/  Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.
×
×
  • 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.