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

Non-Food Items Your Baby Or Child Needs To Avoid

Esther Sparhawk

Recommended Posts

Esther Sparhawk Contributor
Esther Sparhawk
Posted

Did you know PlayDough is made from wheat? And a kid can't help but get that gunk under their fingernails. Once it's under their fingernails, it's going in their mouth, sure as shootin'!

Tonight I visited with a lady whose child had recently been diagnosed with celiac. Like most of us when we first start out, she wasn't aware that PlayDough could be a problem. I mean, who eats PlayDough, right? But the problem isn't usually one of intentional ingestion, it's about little kids whose fingers go from their nose, to their mouth, to God-knows-where. Kids can be pretty messy.

So I thought maybe it was time, once again, to post the non-food items we parents need to be careful about. Feel free to add to my list, but here's a starter:



  • school glue (we use Elmers, but we also wash hands after use)
  • nail polish remover (none are safe, so we wash with a nail scrubber after use)
  • lotion (contact the company--Vaseline is a no-no)
  • Chapstick and other lip balms (we use Kiss My Face)
  • sunscreen (last summer Coppertone was fine)
  • PlayDough (Colorations makes one that's gluten-free)
  • finger paints (I haven't been able to find any that are safe)
  • other kinds of paints (we wash hands after use)
  • crayons (Crayola are safe--or were last Sept.)
  • wet wipes (we avoid them)
  • hand sanitizer (I haven't found any that are safe)
  • topical medicines (we avoid stuff like Cortizone)
  • lick-ables (like the glue on an envelope--we use self-sealing envelopes)
  • shampoo (Suave for Kids is safe)
  • soap (we use Ivory or Dove, but I haven't called the companies in a while)
  • laundry detergent (ALL is safe)
  • dish soap (we use Dawn, but I haven't called the company for more than a year)
  • cat food/dog food (we don't let Annie feed the pets... EVER)
  • toothpaste (we use Crest, but some others are safe too--call the company to make sure)

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


sa1937 Community Regular
sa1937
Posted

Just curious...how old is this list? I think it has some inaccuracies.

As far as I know Chapstick is safe as is Blistex Medicated Lip Balm (in the blue-green tube), which I've used for years.

Gluten in envelope glue is a myth, not that it's very tasty and many people choose not to lick envelopes but it's not because of gluten..

I've never heard of gluten being in nail polish remover or Wet Wipes or hand sanitizer, etc.

kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

This list has a lot of "myths". For instance the Elmer's glue myth:

"Is Elmer's glue gluten free?

All of our products are gluten free except for the Elmer's Finger Paints. The finger paints contain wheat and oat products."

Open Original Shared Link

Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted

Chapstick is a brand. And AFAIK everything they make is fine. People do seem to use that word to mean lip balm. I have seen wheatgerm oil in some lip balms but I can't remember which ones now.

There is a children's bath product with wheat in it but I can't remember the name now. I want to say Alba. But that might be wrong.

Also a reminder that you may want to not use items containing gluten for yourself. I gave my daughter a rash from using a wheat containing shampoo and also an oat containing bath product. I thought I had rinsed the tub well but it wasn't enough.

One of my big beefs when my daughter was younger was the amount of food used in school for math lessons. The teachers were aware of my daughter's allergies and still expected her to handle things like pizza and cookies and Twizzlers. She also has a peanut allergy and had to count M & Ms.

StephanieL Enthusiast
StephanieL
Posted

This post needs to be deleted. The inaccuracies are going to cause issues for people if they don't read the entire thing.

psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

The original post is more fiction than fact. It is correct, however, about Play-Doh brand modeling compound.

7yrslater Rookie
7yrslater
Posted

Cortizone??? You mean the stuff I've been lathering on my daughter's intensely itchy skin might be more of a hinderance than a help? She hasn't been diagnosed (The blood work came back negative but we are going gluten free to see if it helps her myriad of issues but the doc's have given us creams and lotions, and pills and... grrr! Not one of them made one dang bit of difference!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


curlyfries Contributor
curlyfries
Posted

Cortizone??? You mean the stuff I've been lathering on my daughter's intensely itchy skin might be more of a hinderance than a help? She hasn't been diagnosed (The blood work came back negative but we are going gluten free to see if it helps her myriad of issues but the doc's have given us creams and lotions, and pills and... grrr! Not one of them made one dang bit of difference!

Many of the op's statements are inaccurate. Please do some research before reacting to this thread.

Juliebove Rising Star
Juliebove
Posted

Cortizone??? You mean the stuff I've been lathering on my daughter's intensely itchy skin might be more of a hinderance than a help? She hasn't been diagnosed (The blood work came back negative but we are going gluten free to see if it helps her myriad of issues but the doc's have given us creams and lotions, and pills and... grrr! Not one of them made one dang bit of difference!

Note that she didn't say there was gluten in there. She just said she avoided it. Just like she avoids hand sanitizer and wipes.

I have never heard of gluten in crayons but some do contain soy if you're allergic to that.

I don't go by lists anyway. I always check the labels.

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. 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).
    2. klmgarland
      - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      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!!
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      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 ...
    4. 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...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      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...
  • 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):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • 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.
    • Scott Adams
      I think I am gluten intolerant

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Based on what you've described, it is absolutely possible you are dealing with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).  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.   Your situation is a classic presentation: a negative celiac panel but a clear, recurring pattern of symptoms triggered by gluten. The symptoms you listed—particularly the extreme fatigue, bloating, neurological-psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety, and even the skin manifestations like facial flushing—are all well-documented in research on NCGS. It's important to know that you are not alone in experiencing this specific combination of physical and emotional reactions. The only way to know for sure is to commit to a strict, 100% gluten-free diet under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian for a period of several weeks to see if your symptoms significantly improve. It is also crucial to rule out other potential causes, so discussing these symptoms with a gastroenterologist is a very important next step.
×
×
  • 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.