<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Dear Listmates -
I have seen posts on this list, in the past, concerning sunblocks,
hand lotion, skin lotion, shampoos, hair color, etc., etc.

Some listmates are not concerned, or don't understand the concern.
Some of us are more sensitive than others.
Some of us also get Dermatitis Herpetiformis, skin outbreaks associated
with Celiac Disease and gluten exposure.

We do absorb a little of what is on our skin.
We also absorb a little of what goes on our scalp.

If we didn't absorb anything that is put on our skin,
a "patch" form of medication would not be used for
any medicines at all, and this form, an adhesive patch, IS used
for some medications.

We also tend to put our fingers to our mouths, many
of us wear lipstick, and we eat a lot of foods/snacks with out
fingers, which may have just scratched an arm, leg, head, etc.

I have read that those of us who wear lipstick every day consume up to
two pounds of lipstick a year. I don't know if that is true, but we
certainly swallow a bit, since our lips move, and minute amounts end
up inside our mouths, whether we notice it or not.

So, for those who do not think topical products are a concern, please
keep this in mind: I have never heard of a Celiac who blamed himself or
herself for being too careful. But there are plenty of us who blame 
ourselves
after we have a consequence for not being careful enough.

-Vicki

Visit the Celiac Web Page at Http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html
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