MICROSCOPIC COLITIS SUPPORT

Hi All,

Recent research verifies what we have long suspected - that many personal care products contain hidden gluten, soy, etc.

A recent study conducted by George Washington University researchers confirms something we already know—there’s gluten in many personal care products that’s not always apparent on ingredient listings. In the study, which was released this past week at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Washington, DC, researchers tried to identify gluten in products from the top 10 cosmetic companies in the United States.

“This study revealed that information about the ingredients, including the potential gluten content, in cosmetics is not readily available,” said researcher Dr. Pia Prakash in a press release. “The findings are alarming because gluten-containing cosmetics can be inadvertently obtained by the consumer….”

http://www.livingwithout.com/blog/glute ... 734-1.html

Of course, experts such as Dr. Fasano insist that gluten in skin care products doesn't matter, even for people with DH, as long as we don't ingest those products, but I don't buy that line, either. I think it's

Tex

I do wonder how 'experts' explain the skin problems of their *proven* celiac patients, who are "compliant" with their diets, upon exposure to hidden cosmetic ingredients. I most definitely had a reaction to a hair product containing wheat germ. I have a lot of hair, and where it flops around on my face, it really bothered me. It wasn't DH, but it wasn't good. And it stopped, of course, when I threw the product away. This was a locally made, chemical-free product. So it wasn't some evil polysyllabic toxin. It was w.h.e.a.t.

My mother used Clinique cosmetics from the time they came out, decades ago. That suggests to me that she was having reactions to other cosmetics. Maybe it wasn't the chemicals, the fragrances, etc... or not those things alone.

I agree with your flag, Tex

I recently replaced my makeup base and had some dry patches that were one of my "signs" this past year finally went away.

I have also switched soaps, shampoos and lotions. Not playing around either. Seems obvious.

Wendy

But how does a gluten reaction on the skin work than? Is it absorbed through the skin and once in the bloodstream creating an immune reaction comparable with the one that happens in the bowel when we ingest gluten? Or is it a similar reaction that takes place on/in the skin? That gluten indigestion can cause a reaction in the whole body is proven I assume with bowel damage and a skin reaction (DH). But I really do wonder how does this work the other way around, when gluten enter the body or get in touch with the body in other ways than eating (inhale or skin contact).

Hi Harma,

This is how I believe it works:

The outer layer of the skin is an epithelia, very similar to the lining of the intestines, except that it does not contain a mucosal layer, (because there is no reason for it to require the production of mucus). The epithelia of the skin contains enterocytes, very similar to the enterocytes in the intestines, which regulate the tight junctions, (the zonula occludens). The gluten molecule is too large to pass through the tight junctions of the skin, (just as it is too large to pass through the tight junctions of the intestines).

However, (and this is the point that Dr. Fasano and virtually all of the other doctors are confused about), the same gliadin and glutenin peptides which cause reactions in our intestines, can also pass through the tight junctions in the skin, just as they can pass through the tight junctions in the lining of the intestines, so that if these peptides are present in the products that contact our skin, and the tight junctions open, then they can pass through, and proceed to cause a reaction. Most skin products are formulated with chemicals that enhance the absorptivity of the skin, (that's often a selling point), and what that means is that those chemicals cause the tight junctions in the skin to open, thus allowing the peptides to pass into bloodstream, where various chemical reactions can occur, and, of course, they would be exposed to the lamina propria in the epithelia, where the epithelial mast cells are located, (both in the intestines and in the skin).

Note that just having gluten in the product would not necessarily cause a probem, but if the right combination of chemicals is present, so that the gluten molecule is broken down into peptides, then an immune system reaction can occur, because the peptides will almost surely be able to pass through the tight junctions, triggering a reaction of some type, most likely restricted to the skin.

At least, that's how I see it.

Tex

You know- I have suspected for awhile that I might need to change my personal care & cosmetic products. But it has been more apparent in the last few weeks. I started breaking out like a teenager. But it isn't just breaking out, it itches too :/ That, and I have been getting tension headaches more often than ever. I actually attributed that to my new glasses and the wire frames maybe being too tight behind my ears.
But now I've realized- maybe it's my shampoo and conditioner.

So- my homework- besides working on training with our aggressive rescue dog- is to research and find new personal care and cosmetics options.

I am still waiting on my Enterolab results. They have had the samples for 1 week as of today....

Well- the results are in and I have spent all week being more daunted by the prospect of replacing ALL of my personal care and make-up items than anything else.
I have compiled a list of ingredients - over 700 items long- and that as only for TWO of my sensitivities.
But even as I go through the "Gluten-Free Gal's Make-up Guide" for this year- I am running across things I cannot use.
My gluten was 21 so was my SOY! I am sensitive to oats and rice too. So, even with food- I have been 'poisoning' myself with substitutes.

So- anyone have any tips on how to make this a less awful experience?

I am not going to do an immediate overhaul of my bathroom- but key things like face & body moisturizer, soap and shampoo and conditioner and makeup such as foundation and powder will all be first.
I get super itchy, my face has been breaking out, and I have scratched myself to scars in various places in the last few months- so - YEAH- I believe I am being affected by the products I am using as well as the food I am eating.

I have had itchy bumps on my scalp in the nape of my neck for the last half of the summer. These usually went away after staying out of the sun for a few days, but this year they are persisting. I'm also interested in products that are as free of allergens as possible.

Here is a thread where allergen-free cosmetics were discussed:

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10388

Gloria

This site http://wellnessmama.com/category/natural-living/ has recipes to make your own (thank you to Charlotte who first posted it). I use coconut oil for a moisturizer. It took a bit to get used to it....it felt kind of heavy but now I love it. Also, a cousin had read that milk of magnesia might be effective for a deodorant. I had some spray magnesium oil which I just recently tried using and it seems to work (though I haven't really given it a good test :) I figure the extra magnesium can only be a benefit too. I have bought Miracle Soap http://www.missdaisyshealth.com/ by the gallons for years. I use the foaming one for bathing, shampoo and dish soap, and the non foaming one diluted for laundry. I use it also for the homemade wipes on the Wellness Mama site, which are wonderful. It's a good feeling to know I'm slowly getting rid of all the chemicals.....though I'm still working on a good toothpaste. Deb

I was able to find a bunch of cosmetics and personal care items om Ulta's website (Physician's formula, 100% naturals and some other things). I had some bad experiences with trying to email companies- One actually said that they will not disclose the ingredients in their items, even for one item, and that I should just consult my physician. In other research news- stay away from the Philosophy brand items!!
Besides Ulta, I also found Hugo Naturals. Natural, Gluten, Soy, oat free, vegan personal care items. I got some shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer and bath salts for a really great price. I can let you all know how everything works out.
I have been itching like crazy the last few days! So I am very excited for these things to come in the mail. But I am also wondering if the it has something to do with bringing dairy back into my system since my Enterolab results came in...I am doing a food diary, so hopefully that will help me track whatever is going on, since my D ha also been back on and off over the last week.

Oh- the joys of our lives!

Hi,

Itching is certainly one of the possible symptoms of a casein (dairy) sensitivity. Another sign that you might watch for is an increase in phlegm soon after ingesting it. You may not even notice the increase, but you might notice the urge to clear your throat more often.

This is sometimes a symptom of other food sensitivities as well. For example, Gatorade causes that symptom for me. It will do it every time, but it's the only symptom that I've ever noticed from it.

The EnteroLab tests are very specific, and they only test for one specific antigen, in this case casein (which is the most common problem). However, there are other proteins in dairy products that can cause us to react.

Tex

I just discovered my hair styling gel "Prive", which I use every day, has Wheat starch and Soy protein . It may not be a problem on the hair, but I use my hands to apply it. Guess I need to find a different product!