Myth: ”Gluten is only dangerous to you if you eat it”
Truth: Kind of, but not really.
Most people with celiac disease technically can touch gluten – it doesn’t absorb into the skin and to do it’s damage must get into the intestines. There are some who have a topical reaction which will cause a rash and of course anyone who has an anaphylactoid response needs to make sure they don’t come into any contact with gluten.
The main issue with touching gluten comes in with the huge risk of cross-contamination (well, really it’s just contamination) especially if you are highly sensitive to the protein. Touching gluten then wiping your lips, inhaling gluten flours through your mouth, having lotion on your hands that contain gluten all carry big risk for contaminating your body with gluten.
The rule of thumb should be: If it contains gluten .. find a gluten-free alternative.
No reason to play the odds when your health is at stake – always better to be safe then sorry.
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