People You Should See When You Need To Be Gluten-Free

If you've recently been diagnosed with celiac disease you have a lot to learn. Celiac disease is a medical condition in which you need to completely avoid gluten—a protein found in barley, rye and wheat. Just a small exposure of gluten can cause damage to the lining of your small intestine. This can lead to a host of medical problems, including seizures and nerve damage. To learn how to cope with it, you will need to meet with a nutritionist. He or she will teach you what foods to avoid and how to read labels. But, gluten can be found in many other types of things. Here are several other professionals that you may want to see. 

Apothecary

It's important to understand that gluten is often used as a filler or binding agent in prescribed and over-the-counter medication, as well as in supplements.Since you'll need to avoid gluten altogether, it's important to speak with an apothecary who can tell you what medications and supplements to avoid and which are safe for you to take. Also, they can formulate medication and supplements without gluten, if necessary. An apothecary is a pharmacist who specializes in formulating medication for people with specific needs. This medical professional often works in a compounding pharmacy. 

With your recent diagnosis, it's a good idea to clear every gluten-containing product and medication from your home medicine cabinet and your first-aid kit. Not sure what to throw out? Schedule an appointment with an apothecary, and allow him or her to go through your products. Place the contents of your medicine cabinet and first-aid kit in a box and take it with you to the appointment. Bottles that contain liquids should be placed into plastic zipper bags to avoid accidental leaks. You can visit www.pottershouserx.com to learn more. 

Cosmetologist

Gluten can be found in some cosmetics such as lipstick and lotions. It is used as an emulsifier and stabilizer. Of course, you won't be licking your hands after applying lotion but it's a good idea to wash your hands to avoid accidental ingestion.

However, this is a bit controversial. A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics tested various cosmetics and concluded that none of the test products contained enough gluten to cause concern. Interestingly enough, though, one of the researchers still recommends reading ingredient lists, contacting manufacturers and using gluten-free cosmetics.

Before you get a makeover by your cosmetologist, tell him or her that you need to avoid products that contain gluten. Read the ingredients of the products to see if it contains gluten. Use the same list of ingredients that your nutritionist taught you to avoid in your food, such as wheat germ and barley extract. If you cannot find appropriate lipstick or lip balm, ask your apothecary to formulate some for you.

Dentist

Dentists use polishing paste, fluoride, topical anesthetics, mouthwashes and many other products that may contain gluten. In fact, gluten may be used as an additive in the bite splints, retainers and other plastics used by dentists. This was found to be the case when a 9-year-old child suffered from abdominal discomfort even though she had no gluten in her diet. Through biopsies and an in-depth study by her physician, her orthodontic retainer was found to be the problem because it contained gluten as an additive.

Many dentists are fully aware of the issue and take measures to provide gluten-free dental care. If your dentist currently does not take special precautions, simply ask him or her to. If not, find a dentist who does. If you wear dentures, by all means—contact your denturist to see if your chompers contain gluten.

Learning how to live gluten-free does have challenges, especially when so many products and items may contain gluten. In addition to educational sessions with your nutritionist, schedule appointments with an apothecary, your cosmetologist and your dentist to see what non-food products may be causing problems.