| There has been some debate in recent years | | | | So what is causing my skin reaction? |
| about whether gluten found in skin care products, | | | | If you have a skin reaction when you use a |
| and various other non-edible substances can cause | | | | cosmetic product containing gluten, consult your |
| a reaction in people with Celiac's disease. The | | | | doctor or dermatologist to find out what is |
| official answer to this question is no, gluten cannot | | | | causing it. It is possible that you do have an |
| be absorbed through the skin, so these products | | | | allergy to wheat or another grain that is not |
| can only cause a reaction in celiacs if they are | | | | directly linked to Celiac's disease. Equally you may |
| actually swallowed. | | | | be sensitive to another ingredient in the products |
| Check products that come into contact with your | | | | that has no relation to wheat or other grains at all. |
| mouth | | | | Other non-edible products to consider |
| Check any products that you might use around | | | | One item that has been the subject of |
| your mouth such as lip balm or lipstick, and dental | | | | investigation is the gum that is used on postage |
| products such as mouthwash or toothpaste, to | | | | stamps and envelopes, that needs to be licked to |
| see if they contain gluten, as these may well be | | | | make it sticky. Envelope manufacturers have |
| ingested and cause a reaction if you have gluten | | | | confirmed that this gum does not contain gluten, |
| sensitivity. Sometimes it is difficult to see whether | | | | so there is no need for celiacs to avoid licking |
| such a product contains gluten from the list of | | | | envelopes. |
| ingredients because gluten containing products | | | | Something that you should be aware of if your |
| have so many different names. If you are unsure, | | | | children are celiacs is the play dough they may |
| contact the manufacturer and ask. | | | | use at kindergarten or school. This is often made |
| Is dermatitis herpetiformis caused by skin | | | | with wheat flour, and if your child puts it in their |
| products containing gluten? | | | | mouth, they may ingest some of the gluten. If |
| No, although dermatitis herpetiformis is a skin | | | | your child's teachers are aware of their gluten |
| related condition associated with Celiac's disease, | | | | sensitivity, they should keep an eye on them |
| which is characterized by an itchy blistering rash, it | | | | when they play with dough, but mention it |
| appears in reaction to digesting gluten, not | | | | anyway as some people may not have made the |
| absorbing it through the skin. | | | | connection. |
| Experts state that skin products containing gluten | | | | There are all sorts of hidden sources of gluten to |
| will not have any effect on dermatitis | | | | look out for, and cosmetic and dental products |
| herpetiformis. However, many people that suffer | | | | that will be used around the mouth can be a |
| from this condition claim that their symptoms | | | | particular cause for concern. However, most skin |
| increase with the use of cosmetics containing | | | | care products should not cause a reaction in |
| gluten, so you may want to steer clear of these | | | | celiacs unless they are put in the mouth because |
| just to be on the safe side. | | | | gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin. |