I get a v itchy scalp. having just had my positive blood results back, I'm wondering if it's because of celiac disease. Does anyone know of any gluten-free shmpoo/ conditioners available in the UK - preferably not too expensive!!

Does Gluten affect the surface of the skin? I thought it only affected our intestines through eating it,besides most shampoos don't contain wheat anyway,only a few rare ones do.Most probably are made with a vegetable glycerin/soap base,hardly any gluten at all ,though more products are being made with food ingredients like soy,fruits.and the like.

Actually many shampoo's, hand creams, conditoners, gels etc., have wheat or gluten in them and sometimes under a different name. We can not use any products that have wheat, gluten etc. in them because they become absorbed through the skin. There are many that do not list that they have wheat or gluten in them so, I always call the company and ask.

I didn't think of that even though I know things can be absorbed through the skin.There ought to be a company that makes reasonably priced things just for Celiacs,so we won't have to scan everything for it's wheat content.I don't know who would start the company ,run it and do the research to make products ,but somebody ought to.That way you could just go to your Celiac store and get all the stuff you need without having to ask over and over 'is wheat in this,is wheat in this'?

Hmmm. Now im thinking. I was just officially diagnosed and my doctor (specialist) told me i can touch things with gluten but as long as i dont eat it, it will not get into my intestines, makes sense..... Anyone think otherwise?? Now im confused.....

I had to chuck out my shampoo because it had something in it that made my head itch like crazy, my sister actually ended up with chemical burns on her face from Clinque before we both knew we had a problem with gluten.
I'v got to find a UK list of acceptable products FAST!

Sorry folks, but gluten is definitely not absorbed through the skin. It is a complex protein, and as such not absorbed anywhere except the gastrointestinal tract. Cosmetics etc can be a problem since licking of lips etc can cause you to ingest them. But skin no. And the digestive enzymes for gluten only exist in the small intestine.

Alternatively, the diagnosis of dermatitis herpetiformis comes to mind, which of course you know is linked to coeliac disease.

I have never heard that you can absorb gluten thru the skin. There has never been any mention of it as far as I know in the Australian Celiac Magazine and they always report the latest findings. Maybe you are allergic to another ingredient in your shampoo or conditioner.

I was Glutened by my makeup foundation. It took me a while to work it out . Checked with the company and it contained wheat. Changed brands and have no trouble now.

While Gluten may or may not be absorbed into the skin if you are very sensitive to gluten coming into contact with skin can give you problems. After a freak accident in which there was tape in a pair of boots i borrowed from my friend i had a rash that remained for two weeks just from having the tape in contact with my skin for a few hours. If you find that you are using shampoo with gluten and you are having a lot of trouble with flaking of the skalp or a very itchy scalp you may just be severely intolerant to gluten (as I am) and it would be a good Idea to switch shampoos. I use Neutrogena Clean Shampoos and Conditioners and I have not had a problem since. Hope this helps!