Topical NSAIDs.... ?

[C.U.B. girl]

Maybe this question has already been answered somewhere along the way, but it just occurred to me this morning. For years I have been using an astringent on my face that contains salicylic acid, which, when I looked it up, is related to the main ingredient in aspirin (a NSAID). Is there any evidence that a topically applied NSAID can have the same effect on the gut as one taken internally? Or maybe over time, the amount builds up in the system to a point where the body says "ENOUGH ALREADY!" .... ? I've read about the connection between NSAIDs and MC, and when I think back, in my case the MC started after occasional use of Aleve for chronic neck pain (which thankfully has been since eliminated by a skilled chiropractor ) Anyway -- just wondering if anybody has any input on whether topical use of NSAIDs can be a risk factor...... Thanks in advance!

[Sheila]

I'm glad you asked the question. I have been wondering the same thing. I just stopped taking Celebrex about 2 weeks ago after an attack of gastritis. However, I do use a topical anti-inflammatory called Pennsaid. It is DMSO and Voltaren and it works extremely well on various parts of my poor old arthritic body.

I had also been using a hand cream that had gluten in the contents. I stopped using it because I don't want even minute amounts of gluten getting into my blood stream. After doing some research, I found that it probably did not enter my bloodstream. I would rather be safe than sorry and gave it all away.

Hopefully, Tex or one of our other bright scientists will be able to answer the question. BTW, someone in another post recently mentioned that the group as a whole was pretty smart. I agree but I also think most of us have a certain type of personality that is proactive, openminded, curious, and results oriented. Many people with symptoms similar to ours just live with it or make desultory efforts to get well but won't commit fully to changing their life style.

Sheila W

[InTents]

I'll be interested in hearing what others have to say about the use of gels such as you mentioned. I, too, had taken transdermally the types of NSAID's you mentioned. I had forgotten that I'd also been using Voltaren for pain in my left forearm and had been using it a few times a day for about 6 weeks. In addition, I used a lot of Advil as well for other aches and pains. Now I'm wondering if this wasn't all self induced.

I'm interested to know what others think about that topic also.

[tex]

Hi,

This is a tricky topic, because the "experts" insist, for example, that gluten cannot be absorbed through the skin, and therefore skin care products that contain gluten cannot cause dermatitis herpetiformis or other gluten reactions. We know by experience that some people do indeed react to skin care products, so I researched the situation and in my book I explain the embarrassingly dumb mistake that the experts appear to be making to cause them to miss the boat in their analysis of the problem. Gluten in skin care products may not cause DH, but the alpha gliadin peptides and other allergenic peptides that are derivatives of gluten in those products can certainly trigger a reaction. IOW, in their analysis, the "experts" apparently forgot that we do not actually react to gluten -- we react to specific peptides that are contained within the gluten molecule, but are released and become active when the gluten molecule is broken down by digestion or any other relevant chemical process. It ain't rocket science -- it's just common sense. The really sad part is that one of the "experts" making this mistake has established a reputation as the top celiac researcher in the world.

Transdermal effects of NSAIDs amount to uncharted waters, as far as published scientific research is concerned, but I see no reason why the same phenomenon would not apply to NSAIDs as well. If rubbing a compound on your forehead can stop a headache, I see no reason why it could not also affect your gut.

Remember that not everyone reacts adversely to NSAIDs, but as far as drug-induced MC is concerned, NSAIDs show one of the strongest correlations with triggering the symptoms of the disease.

Remember, this is just my opinion, and I'm not a doctor.

Tex

[Zizzle]

I'm willing to guess that topical NSAIDS pose far less risk than ingested ones, because NSAIDS are known to irritate the GI tract on their way through. I suspect it's their action along the intestines that causes most GI problems, as opposed to once they make it into the bloodstream. Topical NSAIDS are not making a direct trip to the GI tract, so I suspect their MC-causing porperties are much reduced once they make their way into the bloodstream through the skin. Again, just a guess.

[C.U.B. girl]

Thank you for the input! Guess its still one of those grey areas.... Since my MC was triggered after only a few doses of Aleve spread out over just a few weeks, I'm guessing I must be fairly sensitive to the effects of NSAIDs, so I decided to switch from the stuff with the salicylic acid in it to plain, old witch hazel. No point in taking chances if there are other options out there...