I Am An Idiot!

[CNV2855]

I have had a rough last few months, with wild - wild swings between my good days and bad days. It seemed like I was continuing to get glutened by I kept limiting my diet and still... symptomatic.

I came across a post on another forum from 2006 where someone mentioned they had red, painful, itchy bumps on their scalp and they went away after switching to a gluten free shampoo. I saw many other mentions of gluten containing hygiene products causing skin reactions and they PERFECTLY described what I experience. I have those same bumps, I have the same DH rash that doesn't go away... These itchy bumps are worst on my head and shoulders and pretty bad on my back. So I immediately went to check my shower and bath. I could only verify one product, Dove body wash, gluten free out of over 15-20 different bottles of various soaps and shampoos. Needless to say I went to grab the garbage bag.

Then I saw the bottle of BIOINFUSION olive oil moisturizer for hair that I had in the corner. I turned it over and it immediately caught my eye. Hydrolyzed oat protein and wheat extract (triticum). This was leave-in conditioner that I had been using for over a year. I was putting this stuff in my hair, it would stay there because you don't wash it out and then when I'd go to sleep I'm sure some rubbed off on my pillow and night after night I was putting my face into it by sleeping on possibly contaminated pillows. This would partly explain the wild inconsistent swings that I was having in my symptoms.

This also explains why my bumps are worse in certain spots. My head... where I'm applying this stuff, and when I shower it runs down my shoulders and back.

I even read threads that people here react to an ingredient in Tide (not necessarily gluten). Which is what I use! Wow. How did I go this long without taking care of the non-food products. I'm seriously mad at myself right now. I've even been using gillette shaving cream for YEARS. Their shaving cream isn't on their gluten free list, only gels. Could explain why my face swelled everytime I shaved.

I need some good recommendations from cologne, to shampoos, to shaving creams, to laundry detergents. I'm throwing it all out.

[AVR1962]

I have had a rough last few months, with wild - wild swings between my good days and bad days. It seemed like I was continuing to get glutened by I kept limiting my diet and still... symptomatic.

I came across a post on another forum from 2006 where someone mentioned they had red, painful, itchy bumps on their scalp and they went away after switching to a gluten free shampoo. I saw many other mentions of gluten containing hygiene products causing skin reactions and they PERFECTLY described what I experience. I have those same bumps, I have the same DH rash that doesn't go away... These itchy bumps are worst on my head and shoulders and pretty bad on my back. So I immediately went to check my shower and bath. I could only verify one product, Dove body wash, gluten free out of over 15-20 different bottles of various soaps and shampoos. Needless to say I went to grab the garbage bag.

Then I saw the bottle of BIOINFUSION olive oil moisturizer for hair that I had in the corner. I turned it over and it immediately caught my eye. Hydrolyzed oat protein and wheat extract (triticum). This was leave-in conditioner that I had been using for over a year. I was putting this stuff in my hair, it would stay there because you don't wash it out and then when I'd go to sleep I'm sure some rubbed off on my pillow and night after night I was putting my face into it by sleeping on possibly contaminated pillows. This would partly explain the wild inconsistent swings that I was having in my symptoms.

This also explains why my bumps are worse in certain spots. My head... where I'm applying this stuff, and when I shower it runs down my shoulders and back.

I even read threads that people here react to an ingredient in Tide (not necessarily gluten). Which is what I use! Wow. How did I go this long without taking care of the non-food products. I'm seriously mad at myself right now. I've even been using gillette shaving cream for YEARS. Their shaving cream isn't on their gluten free list, only gels. Could explain why my face swelled everytime I shaved.

I need some good recommendations from cologne, to shampoos, to shaving creams, to laundry detergents. I'm throwing it all out.

First of all, you're not an idiot. I felt like a fool too when I found wheat flour in my cooking spray, had not even thought to look. I use Pantene products for my hair, Nivea for chapstick (another one you have to watch). "Free" detergents like Tide free should be good. I have family members with skin sensativity issues and they do not use fabric softeners.

[navigator]

I also had problems which turned out to be from cleanser, exfoliator and lip balm. They were wonderful products from the dermalogica range but contained wheat. The company were great however, not only did they supply a full list of their products which were gluten free but deducted the cost of the problematic products from my next purchase.

I use kerastase age premium hair products, Chanel body lotion and cologne, Balm Balm lip balm, Persil non-bio laundry detergent and Colgate and Aquafresh toothpaste.

[CNV2855]

I also had problems which turned out to be from cleanser, exfoliator and lip balm. They were wonderful products from the dermalogica range but contained wheat. The company were great however, not only did they supply a full list of their products which were gluten free but deducted the cost of the problematic products from my next purchase.

I use kerastase age premium hair products, Chanel body lotion and cologne, Balm Balm lip balm, Persil non-bio laundry detergent and Colgate and Aquafresh toothpaste.

Were you having any reactions to the stuff? I find it so interesting that there are SO many people who report having a gluten reaction when using shampoos, conditioners, and what not with the stuff in it yet Mayo and other hospitals say, "that's impossible, gluten can't be absorbed through the skin!"

[bartfull]

Were you having any reactions to the stuff? I find it so interesting that there are SO many people who report having a gluten reaction when using shampoos, conditioners, and what not with the stuff in it yet Mayo and other hospitals say, "that's impossible, gluten can't be absorbed through the skin!"

Sometimes you sneeze while you're shampooing and get a little in your mouth.Or sometimes you forget you just washed your hair and fail to rewash your hands before eating.

But even if none of that happened, why in the world would you want to take a substance that makes you ill when you ingest it, and rub it into your skin?

[GlutenFreeManna]

Nope, not an idiot. Very smart actually to figure it out.

[Roda]

I make my own laundry powder: 2 cups borax, 2 cups washing soda, 1 bar soap (fels naptha, zote, etc.) ground/shredded fine. Mix all together for laundry powder. I've been drying my soap out in the microwave then adding it to my food processer with some of the other ingredients to get it powdered. It works well. I use about 2-3 tablespoons full per load. You may have to use more or less depending on how soiled the clothes are and water conditions ie. soft/hard. I was spending a small fortune for the perfume/dye free laundry detergents since we have issues with scents. I have had no skin reactions so far with this. I also, to help with any residue, put 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar in the rinse cycle. I actually put it in a downey ball at the beginning or I would forget. Glad you figured things out. Your NOT stupid at all! Just FYI for anyone who uses Off bug spray, the last time I talked to the company (about 1 1/2 yrs ago) it wasn't gluten free either. HUH?

[navigator]

Were you having any reactions to the stuff? I find it so interesting that there are SO many people who report having a gluten reaction when using shampoos, conditioners, and what not with the stuff in it yet Mayo and other hospitals say, "that's impossible, gluten can't be absorbed through the skin!"

Yes, the main reaction was debilitating fatigue. I couldn't understand where I'd been glutened as I'm very careful and house is gluten free. It was my son-in-law who got me to think beyond food cross-contamination and go through everything I'd done which was different. The only thing was that I'd changed to Dermalogica skin care. I then checked ingredients and discovered it had wheat. Coeliac UK state that you can't be affected by toiletries, shampoos etc so I'd never checked them. Lesson learnt the hard way!

Whilst food labels are easy to read, the problem with toiletries and cosmetics is that they often use chemical and latin names rather than wheat, barley, rye. I hope this list helps you.

BARLEY DERIVED INGREDIENTS

AMINO PEPTIDE COMPLEX

BARLEY EXTRACT

HORDEUM VULGARE (BARLEY) EXTRACT

PHYTOSPHINGOSINE EXTRACT

WHEAT DERIVED INGREDIENTS

AMP-ISOSTEAROYL HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN

DISODIUM WHEATGERMAMIDO PEG-2 SULFOSUCCINATE

HYDROLYZED WHEAT GLUTEN

HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN

HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN PG-PROPYL SILANETRIOL

HYDROLYZED WHEAT STARCH

HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN

STEARYLDIMONIUMHYDROXYPROPYL HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN

WHEAT AMINO ACIDS

WHEAT BRAN EXTRACT

WHEAT GERM EXTRACT

WHEAT GERM GLYCERIDES

WHEAT GERM OIL

WHEAT GERMAMIDOPROPYLDIMONIUM HYDROXYPROPYL HYDROLYZED WHEAT

PROTEIN

WHEAT PROTEIN

WHEAT (TRITICUM VULGARE) BRAN EXTRACT

TRITICUM VULGARE (WHEAT) FLOUR LIPIDS

TRITICUM VULGARE (WHEAT) GERM EXTRACT

TRITICUM VULGARE (WHEAT) GERM OIL

[Jenniferxgfx]

Not an idiot!! You're a sleuth for figuring it out!!

I've done the same thing, too. Not just with gluten bath products, but with a gluten-free but seaweed-containing shampoo. Within a few hours, i had tons of angry red blisters everywhere the shampoo flows when I rinsed. The iodine was the culprit.

It makes me so grouchy that most resources say a skin reaction from touch isn't possible, but we're living proof!

[jswog]

Yes, the main reaction was debilitating fatigue. I couldn't understand where I'd been glutened as I'm very careful and house is gluten free. It was my son-in-law who got me to think beyond food cross-contamination and go through everything I'd done which was different. The only thing was that I'd changed to Dermalogica skin care. I then checked ingredients and discovered it had wheat. Coeliac UK state that you can't be affected by toiletries, shampoos etc so I'd never checked them. Lesson learnt the hard way!

Whilst food labels are easy to read, the problem with toiletries and cosmetics is that they often use chemical and latin names rather than wheat, barley, rye. I hope this list helps you.

BARLEY DERIVED INGREDIENTS

AMINO PEPTIDE COMPLEX

BARLEY EXTRACT

HORDEUM VULGARE (BARLEY) EXTRACT

PHYTOSPHINGOSINE EXTRACT

WHEAT DERIVED INGREDIENTS

AMP-ISOSTEAROYL HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN

DISODIUM WHEATGERMAMIDO PEG-2 SULFOSUCCINATE

HYDROLYZED WHEAT GLUTEN

HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN

HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN PG-PROPYL SILANETRIOL

HYDROLYZED WHEAT STARCH

HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN

STEARYLDIMONIUMHYDROXYPROPYL HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN

WHEAT AMINO ACIDS

WHEAT BRAN EXTRACT

WHEAT GERM EXTRACT

WHEAT GERM GLYCERIDES

WHEAT GERM OIL

WHEAT GERMAMIDOPROPYLDIMONIUM HYDROXYPROPYL HYDROLYZED WHEAT

PROTEIN

WHEAT PROTEIN

WHEAT (TRITICUM VULGARE) BRAN EXTRACT

TRITICUM VULGARE (WHEAT) FLOUR LIPIDS

TRITICUM VULGARE (WHEAT) GERM EXTRACT

TRITICUM VULGARE (WHEAT) GERM OIL

Thank you so much for this list! I will be armed with it as I go searching ingredients on the rest of my makeup and other skin care products!

[ravenwoodglass]

There are a few companies that will clearly label gluten ingredients. With some of them a lot of their stuff is gluten free. Garneir is one example. I use their shampoos, conditioners, skin products etc. Dove and Suave will clearly label. Shikai, Giovanni and Himalaya are organics that also label clearly. Himalaya even has gluten free on the bottles of their safe stuff.

[lemontree1]

I am very sensitive to Tide products, even Tide Free. The only laundry detergents I've tried that didn't make me break out are All Free and Clear and Sun. I use All because Sun doesn't clean as well.

[AVR1962]

Were you having any reactions to the stuff? I find it so interesting that there are SO many people who report having a gluten reaction when using shampoos, conditioners, and what not with the stuff in it yet Mayo and other hospitals say, "that's impossible, gluten can't be absorbed through the skin!"

What can happen though is during showers these products can get in the mouth. Anything on the lips can easily get into your mouth. And what has happened to me, and sounds like it happened with the original post, is that you can have a reaction on the skin....bumps, swelling, itching. I was having it and realized it was my eye make-up. Detergents could be a scent sensative issue, many of my family mebers have it.

[ravenwoodglass]

Were you having any reactions to the stuff? I find it so interesting that there are SO many people who report having a gluten reaction when using shampoos, conditioners, and what not with the stuff in it yet Mayo and other hospitals say, "that's impossible, gluten can't be absorbed through the skin!"

Celiac is an antibody reaction so while gluten can't be absorbed through intact skin it can enter the system through open wounds, broken skin, the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth etc. in addition to anything that gets on your skin or hair can potentially get into your mouth. Conditioners and lotions are designed to leave a residue on your skin or hair that can be transfered to an area where it can be absorbed.

[Jenniferxgfx]

Btw I use Method dye and scent free laundry soap. It's been safe for me so far. I've NEVER been able to use any tide, even pre-gluten-free. I've also tried the Seventh Gen baby laundry soap, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't as itch-free as Method so I didn't even finish the bottle. I'm too attached to not itching to risk it. Lol.

[marlene333]

OMG - I have had a rash on my arms, neck, chest and part of my back. I am ready to go for "Allergy Scratch Testing"!!! Then I read your post about Tide. I AM AN IDIOT ALSO.....I was using "All Free and Clear" and switched to "Tide Free and Clear" because the "All" was not getting my clothes clean. So now I am thinking that the "Tide" is what is causing this horribly itchy rash. Thanks SOOOOOOOOO much for posting this.  I will stop using Tide and see if things improve. CAN'T WAIT TO GET RID OF THIS 3 MONTH OLD ITCHY RASH!!!!! Thank you!!!

[notme]

i use tide free and clear (no perfumes or dyes) regularly with no problem.  i wash my clothes with it.  

[cyclinglady]

I always double rinse my clothes (per my MIL). We are sensitive people here -- it is not related to gluten. I think these new-fangled washing machines do not do a good job of rinsing. My mother's new top loader without an agitator is awful! It seems to just sprinkle the clothes. My SIL's front loader stinks (okay, it is always damp in Georgia). I am keeping my old top-loader without any electronics forever, I hope!

[bartfull]

Just tell you SIL to leave the door open for 8 to 12 hours after washing clothes. Those front loaders have to seal completely so they don't leak, therefore they always stay wet (even here where the humidity is low), and begin to smell. If you let it dry completely before latching it, it will never stink again.

[cyclinglady]

Just tell you SIL to leave the door open for 8 to 12 hours after washing clothes. Those front loaders have to seal completely so they don't leak, therefore they always stay wet (even here where the humidity is low), and begin to smell. If you let it dry completely before latching it, it will never stink again.

Tx!

[Maddi]

I was going to say the same thing. I always leave my front load washer open for hours until it dries out and I'm actually in GA too!