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Celiac disease is a disease that prevents absorption of nutrients from food due to intolerance to gliadin, a glycoprotein that is present in the gluten of certain cereals: wheat, oats, rye, and barley. Although it has not been proven that hygiene and cosmetics products with gluten can harm people with celiac disease, certain cases of adverse reactions have been observed, which is why many brands have begun to specify if their products are gluten-free.
It is necessary to clarify that according to the experts the gliadin is not absorbed by the skin. This protein is only harmful if it is ingested, so there is no reason for people with celiac disease to have adverse reactions if they use hygiene products and cosmetics with gluten since although many of them are used daily and they are of topical use, so in principle discard any kind of danger. However, cases of allergic reactions or contact dermatitis have been detected in the case of people who are very sensitive to gluten and for these assumptions many brands have gluten-free products, generally specified in the package although in case of doubt it is best to consult the manufacturer or distributor of the brand.
Body care products and cosmetics usually contain moisturizing agents such as starch, wheat germ oil, and oat, which in the case of gluten-free cosmetics are replaced by others equally beneficial such as quinoa, olive oil, coconut, or cotton seeds.
Body hygiene: soap, gel, shampoo, and conditioner
If the fear is not generated by a contact reaction but by a possible accidental intake, especially when it comes to children, it is best to use personal hygiene brands that have developed gluten-free product lines. In any case, the package must specify it.
Cosmetics: from moisturizer to lipstick
When it comes to cosmetic products, the precautions should be the same as those for personal hygiene, that is to say, although some people affirm the opposite for two reasons. First there is cross contamination: if gluten-free creams are not used, precautions should be taken when handling food. On the other hand there is the accidental intake, which although in the case of facial creams, body cleansing and make-up removal is not totally unreasonable, in what refers to lipstick can be up to 80% of the product.
These are the reasons why some manufacturers of cosmetic products, facial and body care (around 40%) have opted to create gluten-free lines.
If you want to find out about alcoholic drinks, check out our article on this topic: Is there gluten in alcoholic drinks?
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