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

    In an effort to educate and brush away the web of
myth that surrounds or disease, here is another post
from the undiplomatic, much-too-direct, and much
flamed FDWinslow. In the interest of full disclosure I
must admit that replies to my posts are less than 10%
in the flame category!

    As celiacs we all know that ingesting gluten is a
NO-NO! We also know that our disease can lead to DH
(dermatitis herpetiformis). Over the past there have
been questions on the listservs about the need for GF
personal hygiene and cosmetic products and where such
products might be found if they are indeed necessary.

    Before getting down to the science, let me just
say that these products are all about pampering
ourselves, looking and feeling better inside and out!
So, regardless of the science people should and will
make the choises that pamper their body and spirit.

    With that said, here is what the leading authority
on DH has to say on the matter:

PATIENT:  I have heard that gluten is only a problem
          for celiacs if it's ingested and that we
          shouldn't worry about gluten in things like
          lipstick, lotions, or shampoo. Do people
          with DH (dermatitis herpetiformis) need to
          avoid skin contact with gluten?
          If not, why do so many complain that they
          react to any contact, even skin contact?
          What about something like lipstick or
          toothpaste which might be ingested? Should
          they be avoided?

DR. ZONE ( yes, that is the real name!): There is
         always great concern about the possibility of
         topical gluten products causing problems. To
         start out with, gluten is not absorbed
         through the skin. There is little question
         about this. Topical gluten does not worsen
         dermatitis herpetiformis and it does not
         worsen celiac disease.
         If the topical product is eaten or licked as
         might be the case in lipstick, then the
         person is essentially eating that product and
         it would make sense that it would then be a
         problem. The same is true of toothpaste. I am
         well aware that many patients state that when
         they come in contact with gluten containing
         compounds that they cause problems. However,
         I do not know of any scientific basis for
         this and have a great deal of difficulty
         believing that this is activating celiac
         disease or dermatitis herpetiformis.

Regards ...



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