Drapery Goddess detective agency solves the mystery

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 9:22 am

Anyone remember that post awhile back about the painful bumps on the scalp? Several people had mentioned having the same thing, but it went away after they adopted a GF diet. No such luck for me. I had tried using T-gel and switching to a sulfate-free shampoo, but that didn't work. Then, when I went on the cruise, I was using the shampoo from the Disney salon instead of my regular stuff, and all the bumps went away. When I got home, I went back to my old shampoo, and immediately the bumps returned. So I did some research and bought some GF shampoo, and LO AND BEHOLD, no bumps! Now, I was skeptical about this because there is a lot of disagreement about whether gluten can even be absorbed through the scalp, and I don't carry a celiac gene, so I didn't think I could be that sensitive, anyway. But now that I've proved myself wrong, I wonder: do I need to be more careful about other things, like my soap, makeup, lotions? Do I need separate pots and pans in the kitchen? Although I am strictly GF myself and am careful not to use the same utensils in my food as in gluten food when I'm cooking, and I try to avoid cross-contamination, I haven't gone that far because I didn't think I needed to worry that much about it.

Post by **tex** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:20 am

Cynthia,

Have you seen the thread at the link below? My first post in that thread explains why gluten does not have to be absorbed through the skin, for it to cause a reaction, (the skin can't break down the gluten molecule, anyway, and that would be necessary in order to create the peptides to which we react).

Note my second post in that thread, where I discuss the absorptivity-enhancing chemicals that are typically added to shampoos and skin creams. IMO, those chemicals are the key to getting the peptides into the skin, and they're the reason why such products can cause a reaction, even though you could probably spread wheat flour on your skin, (or even a wheat flour paste), and it wouldn't cause any problem, (because it doesn't contain any chemicals to break down the wheat molecule, and to enhance absorptivity of the resulting peptides).

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15129

At least, that's what I believe happens.

Tex

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 5:07 pm

Tex,

Ah, yes, I do remember reading that when you first posted it. So, in your opinion, is the reason I'm reacting to shampoo (and not necessarily to trace amounts of gluten from a teflon-coated pan, or to makeup that isn't gluten-free) because of the extra additives to aid absorption?

I'm not adverse to doing GF everything if necessary, but as I live with four non-GF people (at least currently), I don't want to be fanatical if I don't need to be. In other words, I won't sacrifice my health for their convenience, but I also don't want to inconvenience them when it won't affect my health.

Post by **tex** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 5:57 pm

Cynthia wrote:So, in your opinion, is the reason I'm reacting to shampoo (and not necessarily to trace amounts of gluten from a teflon-coated pan, or to makeup that isn't gluten-free) because of the extra additives to aid absorption?

The evidence certainly points that way. IOW, I suspect that some of the ingredients in those products break down the wheat molecule, (or that may happen during the manufacturing process), so that the peptides that can cause reactions become available, and absorption-enhancing chemicals help them to be absorbed in to the skin, where they cause a reaction, Of course, since you were also away from those possible trace sources at home, while you were using a different shampoo, on the cruise, that could confound the results. The thing to do would be to try some of that safe shampoo at home, and see what happens.

Tex

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 11:02 am

I'm conducting an experiment, now that I'm home: using my GF shampoo, and I got some GF face soap as well. We shall see...

Post by **tex** » Fri Dec 30, 2011 1:34 pm

I love the title you chose for this thread, by the way.

Tex

Fish2575 · Post by **Fish2575** » Sun Jan 01, 2012 3:35 pm

Cynthia,

I found a great GF, Sulfate Free shampoo recommended by my hair dresser who has a son with Celiac. I love it! It is creamy and mild smelling (a little like ski wax), and I got it for a good price on Amazon.com in the 1L bottles. It is called DermOrganic Conditioning Shampoo and Masque with Argan Oil. I highly recommend it!

Hope that helps!
Susie

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 9:00 pm

Tex--thanks, just went to see "Sherlock Holmes," so it's on the brain...

Susie--thanks for the recommendation--I may try that!

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:01 pm

Did you like it? I didn't like the first one.

draperygoddess · Post by **draperygoddess** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 4:25 pm

Well, I liked it, but if you didn't like the first one, you probably won't like this one either. Much in the same vein.

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:01 pm

As a lifelong fan of SH and Dr. W I found this to be not an interpretation, but trying to put a whole new spin using classical names. Why I ask myself? What for? SH was always a battle of wits. That's what made him SO interesting.
Change the style, change the names. Keep the style and do more stories or update the stories, and that's fine with me. This is neither here nor there.

I was brought up reading SH. I didn't see a TV/movie version until I was an adult, and when I did see a program it was in England, where they were classicists.