Shampoos
This is kind of scary. I was getting sick off and on and couldn’t figure out why. We chucked tons of food and I went back to a safe food (canned tuna) for about a week until we could sort it out. Turns out about the same time it, started my wife switched shampoo and conditioner. Because she’ll have a cracker or piece of bread from time to time I resorted to kissing her on the forehead. To my surprise her shampoo, made by John Freida, contained hydrolyzed wheat protein. We had a bout with this same protein in the past thanks to Garnier Fructis. This protein is used in quite a few of the thickening shampoos. It's also used in conditioners. While it's not a food, on my lips, then into my digestive system it went causing chaos and pain.
Vitamins
I know some people refer to vitamins as a food because they're taking the place of missing vitamins in real foods. Some people put vitamins in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, so they wouldn't think of them as a food item. One of the things they tell you when you stop eating bread or any other food for that matter is to make up the vitamins some other way. Surprisingly some vitamins contain wheat gluten, and while even some of the packaging on products like Centrum claim they're gluten free, but they have a disclaimer on their site that says "We do not directly add any gluten to our products, however, we cannot guarantee that all our products are 100% gluten-free." In the U.S. at least. In Canada it's a different story. It all depends on the parts-per-million requirement of the governing bodies.
Have a headache? Be careful reaching for Advil
We had a bottle of the Liqui-Gels in our car. I rarely have headaches and when I do they're migraines. A little too late I grabbed for these and caused a whole world of pain elsewhere. The Advil site's caution on Gluten, "Advil® Liqui-Gels® and Advil® Migraine and contain a wheat derivative, and are not gluten-free." Since the Target up-&-up brand ibuprofen have been my friend.
It's something else... go Play-Doh!
Having a small child creates another set of challenges. After emptying the fridge of possible unknowns in regard to potentially contaminated meats and possible spice contaminations we ran across this little tidbit of information on one of my child's toys. According to the Play Doh website in regard to gluten, "Children who are allergic to wheat gluten may have an allergic reaction to this product." That is not only an understatement, but it also affects you too parents. Surprise.
"I'm still getting sick? Maybe it's your make-up?"
An this was yet another shock. Some make-ups contain a wide variety of gluten derivatives to smooth skin and add soft textures. Lip sticks, lip gloss, powders, the list goes on. Not only do make-up wearers run the risk of contaminating a loved one with gluten, but if they are allergic themselves they can unknowingly be their own worst enemy. Beauty is skin deep, but gluten goes clean to the bone. Okay, not literally, but it can really cause a world of hurt for someone super sensitive to gluten.
Vitamins
I know some people refer to vitamins as a food because they're taking the place of missing vitamins in real foods. Some people put vitamins in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, so they wouldn't think of them as a food item. One of the things they tell you when you stop eating bread or any other food for that matter is to make up the vitamins some other way. Surprisingly some vitamins contain wheat gluten, and while even some of the packaging on products like Centrum claim they're gluten free, but they have a disclaimer on their site that says "We do not directly add any gluten to our products, however, we cannot guarantee that all our products are 100% gluten-free." In the U.S. at least. In Canada it's a different story. It all depends on the parts-per-million requirement of the governing bodies.
Have a headache? Be careful reaching for Advil
We had a bottle of the Liqui-Gels in our car. I rarely have headaches and when I do they're migraines. A little too late I grabbed for these and caused a whole world of pain elsewhere. The Advil site's caution on Gluten, "Advil® Liqui-Gels® and Advil® Migraine and contain a wheat derivative, and are not gluten-free." Since the Target up-&-up brand ibuprofen have been my friend.
It's something else... go Play-Doh!
Having a small child creates another set of challenges. After emptying the fridge of possible unknowns in regard to potentially contaminated meats and possible spice contaminations we ran across this little tidbit of information on one of my child's toys. According to the Play Doh website in regard to gluten, "Children who are allergic to wheat gluten may have an allergic reaction to this product." That is not only an understatement, but it also affects you too parents. Surprise."I'm still getting sick? Maybe it's your make-up?"
An this was yet another shock. Some make-ups contain a wide variety of gluten derivatives to smooth skin and add soft textures. Lip sticks, lip gloss, powders, the list goes on. Not only do make-up wearers run the risk of contaminating a loved one with gluten, but if they are allergic themselves they can unknowingly be their own worst enemy. Beauty is skin deep, but gluten goes clean to the bone. Okay, not literally, but it can really cause a world of hurt for someone super sensitive to gluten.
It puts the lotion on its skin, then it makes me sick again.
I know that's a horrible, horrible reference, but in this case, when your insides are in pain and you're grabbing for straws you have to look at everything. Tricksie Hobbitses. This article lists possible chemicals to watch out for in ordinary everyday products that could contain gluten. While it may not say it contains gluten, these items can be causing all sorts of trouble. Additionally here is another list of things to watch out for that may contain gluten. And finally one of the best lists of Gluten names to watch out for.
Other precautions
I know sometimes I seem a little OCD, but when it comes to using my brain for the next couple of days or not, or not having to worry about some other physical ailment I take things serious. I wipe down door handles, cabinets, sink faucets, soap dispensers, placemats, and anything else I've seen people grab. Remote controls anyone? Was that a cookie in the laundry room? Washers and dryers, anything I might touch.
Final thoughts
While most people may be sympathetic, they will not realize until it happens to them, the level of serious precautions someone with a major allergy has to go through. My hopes are this post does not fall on deaf ears. Maybe, just maybe it will bring a little insight to an issue that we've allowed to go on in this world. While food processing and chemistry continue to advance, new chemical derivatives are being created that can trigger a reaction in people in regard to gluten, or anything else for that matter. While this information is dated, I hope it creates a good starting place for people to get an understanding of just how large the problem is.
As always I hope this helps someone. I know for me, staying away from gluten has been a life saver.
I know sometimes I seem a little OCD, but when it comes to using my brain for the next couple of days or not, or not having to worry about some other physical ailment I take things serious. I wipe down door handles, cabinets, sink faucets, soap dispensers, placemats, and anything else I've seen people grab. Remote controls anyone? Was that a cookie in the laundry room? Washers and dryers, anything I might touch.
Final thoughts
While most people may be sympathetic, they will not realize until it happens to them, the level of serious precautions someone with a major allergy has to go through. My hopes are this post does not fall on deaf ears. Maybe, just maybe it will bring a little insight to an issue that we've allowed to go on in this world. While food processing and chemistry continue to advance, new chemical derivatives are being created that can trigger a reaction in people in regard to gluten, or anything else for that matter. While this information is dated, I hope it creates a good starting place for people to get an understanding of just how large the problem is.
As always I hope this helps someone. I know for me, staying away from gluten has been a life saver.
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