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

Confused About Gluten Free Products..

hspichke

Recommended Posts

hspichke Apprentice
hspichke
Posted

I am newly gluten free. I understand I cannot eat anything with gluten and have been doing okay with all of that but I am confused about topical gluten, if that even makes sense ha. I have heard two things, you cannot have any makeup made with gluten touch your lips. I have also heard you cannot use anything with gluten on your body period. I do get the DH rash, but I have never found it came from a certain product, so I assume it was the food I was eating. Could some explain this to me please :)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

Many of us avoid all gluten because it is just not worth the risk of getting shampoo in your mouth when showering, or gluten off your hands from lotion or gluten in watering eyes from mascara. It doesn't mean we would react but it just seems so much easier for me to get the gluten out of the house entirely and not even think about it.

Krystal K. Rookie
Krystal K.
Posted

I'm newer to this too, but I asked my Dr. and he said that topical gluten is fine but like Mushroom said if it gets ingested at all it can become a problem...So I've gotten rid of mascara and some lotions chapsticks and my Big Sexy Hair shampoo :/ to me its just not worth the risk!

peanuts Newbie
peanuts
Posted

I'm newer to this too, but I asked my Dr. and he said that topical gluten is fine but like Mushroom said if it gets ingested at all it can become a problem...So I've gotten rid of mascara and some lotions chapsticks and my Big Sexy Hair shampoo :/ to me its just not worth the risk!

How do we go about finding out if our daily favorite products for skin, hair, makeup etc. contain gluten? It makes sense to not use topical gluten as our skin absorbs these products. :(

mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

You need to familiarize yourself with all the different ways that gluten hides. Anything that says wheat, oats, barley, avenin (oats) is of course out, although some claim hydrolyzed wheat protein is okay but I avoid it. You can call or email the manufacturer or there are iphone apps available. Here is a link: Open Original Shared Link that has other links.

rosetapper23 Explorer
rosetapper23
Posted

Quite frankly, I don't believe the "experts" who say that gluten must be ingested to cause DH. There simply have been no real studies done on this. All I know is that if I use a shampoo that contains wheat, my scalp and face break out all over in DH. Back when I didn't know I had celiac, I wore lipstick (only in my teens)....and my lips would swell up and turn purple. It wasn't from ingestion of gluten--it was from the gluten touching my lips. DH is quite a different animal from celiac, I believe, and it definitely needs to be studied more.

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

I am newly gluten free. I understand I cannot eat anything with gluten and have been doing okay with all of that but I am confused about topical gluten, if that even makes sense ha. I have heard two things, you cannot have any makeup made with gluten touch your lips. I have also heard you cannot use anything with gluten on your body period. I do get the DH rash, but I have never found it came from a certain product, so I assume it was the food I was eating. Could some explain this to me please :)

That is very astute of you to recognize the connection between a DH break-out and it being connected to the food you are eating! That is supposedly the way it works as the reaction comes from within but I think that anyone who has skin issues with Celiac probably runs a higher risk of having an additional wheat allergy, which is different to an intolerance. Coming into contact with the offending product would cause that type of reaction.

You must not use gluten containing lip products, whether you have DH or classic Celiac. You ingest what you put on your lips and that's why you have to screen lipstick. As far as body lotion is concerned, that can be personal choice but you have had issues with skin products so you might want to find one that isn't a problem and just stick with that. I always screen hand lotion, for obvious reasons, and just use that on anything else. Otherwise, I don't worry about stuff I won't ingest.

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ciamarie Rookie
ciamarie
Posted

Another ingredient to look out for that is derived from wheat is panthenol, and I agree with mushroom and rosetapper23!

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

I also agree with mushroom & rosetapper23 & ciamarie!

Another reason not to use gluten containing topical ingredients is that Vit E is absorbed through the skin. Now if that Vit E happens to be wheat derived then what do you think is going to happen?

I have dh ~~~ I know that NOW. But for 7 or 8 years I have not been able to wear makeup of any kind. It would itch me so! And my face, particularly my eyes would swell up. I would wear it, come home & right away wash it off ~~ still had reactions. Tried 20 or 30 products ~~~ with the same results. Guess what? Now that I found out I am celiac & with dh & looked for gluten-free makeup. I found Afterglow (online) which is gluten free ~~~ pricey but gluten-free. I tried it. I'm a very happy girl! For the first time in years & years I can wear makeup. It's like a miracle.

Bellanovia Newbie
Bellanovia
Posted

oh my god..I just solved my makeup allergies! my eyes can not tolerate anything...and I never understood..until this thread. thank you so much!

squirmingitch Veteran
squirmingitch
Posted

Welcome to the board Bellanovia. It's amazing the things we learn are connected to celiac. So many things make sense now that I couldn't figure out before or that I thought were just an odd problem I had.

hspichke Apprentice
hspichke
Posted
  • Author

I also agree with mushroom & rosetapper23 & ciamarie!

Another reason not to use gluten containing topical ingredients is that Vit E is absorbed through the skin. Now if that Vit E happens to be wheat derived then what do you think is going to happen?

I have dh ~~~ I know that NOW. But for 7 or 8 years I have not been able to wear makeup of any kind. It would itch me so! And my face, particularly my eyes would swell up. I would wear it, come home & right away wash it off ~~ still had reactions. Tried 20 or 30 products ~~~ with the same results. Guess what? Now that I found out I am celiac & with dh & looked for gluten-free makeup. I found Afterglow (online) which is gluten free ~~~ pricey but gluten-free. I tried it. I'm a very happy girl! For the first time in years & years I can wear makeup. It's like a miracle.

OH MY GOSH!! I used to use certain makeups that would make my face itch and turn bright red and I just wanted it off asap! I wonder if it could have been something with the gluten...however, now I wear numerous different kinds. So is most foundation contain gluten? :(

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. Rogol72
      - Rogol72 replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      3

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      @klmgarland, My dermatitis herpetiformis didn't clear up until I became meticulous about cross contamination. I cut out gluten-free oats and all gluten-free foods, dairy and gluten-free rice. Additionally, getting the right amount of protein for my body weight helped significantly in my body's healing process ... along with supplementing with enough...
    2. ShariW
      - ShariW commented on Scott Adams's article in Frequently Asked Questions About Celiac Disease
      4

      What are Celiac Disease Symptoms?

      In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, I had gastroesophageal reflux that was becoming intolerable despite treatment with PPIs and antacids. When I went gluten-free, the GERD lessened tremendously (as did the other symptoms).
    3. klmgarland
      - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      3

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      Thank you so very much Scott. Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful. If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      3

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to ...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      My only proof

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,908
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    ebrown
    Newest Member
    ebrown
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Rogol72
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Rogol72 · Posted

      @klmgarland, My dermatitis herpetiformis didn't clear up until I became meticulous about cross contamination. I cut out gluten-free oats and all gluten-free foods, dairy and gluten-free rice. Additionally, getting the right amount of protein for my body weight helped significantly in my body's healing process ... along with supplementing with enough of all the vitamins and minerals ... especially Zinc and Magnesium. I went from 70kg to 82kg in a year. Protein with each meal 3 times daily, especially eggs at breakfast made the difference. I'm not sure whether iodine was a problem for me, but I can tolerate iodine no problem now. I'm off Dapsone and feel great. Not a sign of an itch. So there is hope. I'm not advocating for the use of Dapsone, but it can bring a huge amount of relief despite it's effect on red blood cells. The itch is so distracting and debilitating. I tried many times to get off it, it wasn't until I implemented the changes above and was consistent that I got off it. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is horrible, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  
    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      My only proof

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
×
×
  • 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.