My Story (Gettng Diagnosed with Celiac Disease)

Something like 60% of the stuff you put on your face is absorbed into your skin. Ladies and gents I’m talking make-up, lotion, soap, anything like that. Your skin is your largest organ and it sure does like to suck stuff up. Let’s all take a minute to think about the things you put into and on your body… that’s a lot of stuff! Some experts believe that gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin. Now of course we all react differently to this gluten stuff. I am super sensitive and not only does my skin freak-right-out but I may perhaps even have an angry poo or two. Lotion, shampoo basically anything that touches your skin or is ingested, is something you should watch out for.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A13):
When I was first diagnosed I never thought about lotion as something I had to watch out for. When asked about the wheat or oats in my hand cream I simply said… ‘Well, I’m not eating it’. There are so many articles out right now about celiac disease and lotion or cosmetics. Google it, you will find a lot. Some of these articles are stating that gluten is too large of a particle to be absorbed through the skin. I have noticed that, for me, I will react to gluten on my skin. And there are so many other Celiacs out there that are having gastrointestinal problems due to the absorption through the skin and not knowing why they are feeling so bad. We aren’t eating our lotion or our makeup. It wasn’t until I joined the celiac society in my city that I learned that all gluten is bad gluten. Who knew?

There are cosmetics and bathroom supplies that are gluten-free. These can be hard to find because of the lack of ingredient labels but, my friends, there is always a solution. Call the manufacturer and talk to them regarding the ingredients/gluten content in the products that are in question. Ask them to email you the ingredient list of they are not able to give you a straight answer. Please never feel weird about calling the manufacturer; they are the only people that truly know what is in their products. If they can’t tell you what is in it please by all means do not buy that stuff! I have found that the manufacturer wants my money so they will do what they can to reassure me in their product. Sometimes I can get the product sometimes I can’t.

Now if you are less sensitive and don’t notice anything happening to your skin or internal discomfort just remember that sometimes we don’t feel that damage as its happening. You also might be one of the lucky ones that just plain don’t have a reaction to it on or through your skin. You are awesome and please enjoy for those of us that don’t partake.

You need to do right by you (you do you) and I believe as long as you are listening and really paying attention to your body you will know what is right and wrong for you.