Getting gluten exposure via inhalation

[alross]

I am newly diagnosed via blood test and endoscopy so still trying to figure everything out.  My kids and husband still consume gluten, but we keep all gluten containing food separate on a bottom shelf.  I made my kids mac and cheese 2 times, and both times I got sick about 1.5-2 hours later.  I wore gloves, used separate utensils, and wiped down the counters both times, but I'm thinking it can't be a coincidence.  Because I was so careful, my only explanation is that when the noodles were cooking, I inhaled some gluten from the steam?  This seems like a stretch but I was curious if anyone had any insight on this.  I am switching to gluten free mac and cheese/pasta regardless.   What's also strange is that before being diagnosed a few weeks ago, I consumed gluten without immediately getting sick.  Would my sensitivity to gluten exposure change so drastically in such a short amount of time being completely gluten free?  

[Scott Adams]

There have been others who swear that breathing in air in a bakery has made them ill, although not many doctors would agree that what you described could make a celiac sick. I guess consider using a covid-type mask when cooking gluten? At this point I think it's possible, but also consider that you may have gotten contamination in other ways too.

[alross]

  On 3/5/2023 at 8:00 PM, Scott Adams said:

There have been others who swear that breathing in air in a bakery has made them ill, although not many doctors would agree that what you described could make a celiac sick. I guess consider using a covid-type mask when cooking gluten? At this point I think it's possible, but also consider that you may have gotten contamination in other ways too.

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Ok that's helpful thank you.  I'm still new to everything so it's quite possible that I got exposure from something else without realizing, as my kid still consume gluten containing snacks.  I switched to gluten free mac and cheese regardless so I'll be interested to see if I avoid getting sick this week.  

[Maria Deal]

Hi. I’m similar. Only 2 of us ‘empty nesters’ and we tried to just keep his food separate on weekends when he was home, separate towels in kitchen, I even got separate utensils/cutting board/some pans… eventually got an air fryer/oven combo to use just for my food. I was still sick for a few years.

We moved to a remodeled house eventually (brand new appliances never used) and that was when I started feeling human again, within a week. Then my hubby figured out he was glutening me a few times when he ate gluten, even though I never touched it. So he eats gluten-free when he is home. Then I started getting randomly sick still. Then 1 day at the store the Bakery aroma was super strong, even through masks. I never thought anything of it. Was horribly sick. Then another time I attended a meeting, people went & got food for lunch & brought it back in styrofoam containers (we ate our own snack), it was very aromatic, I did not shake anyone’s hand, still got sick. So even the steaming cooked food particles caused my body to overreact. I also get a migraine now just from that aroma, where before I got migraines from ingesting wheat a decade ago and gave it up, then was diagnosed about 5 years ago (I also get the Celiac skin rash called Dermatitis Herpetiformis). So my body is indeed reacting different!
We have to wipe down anything that enters our home with wet paper towels: mail, packages, I try not to touch anything or anyone so I do not cross contaminate myself. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Since we started this I have not been glutened as much.

If I were you, I would consider working towards total gluten-free household. If you remain sick, get a new oven/microwave/dishwasher. Family must shower & brush teeth & gargle before touching areas you reside/thrive or touching/kissing you. Pets can gluten you as well. I raise my own meat chickens, we have to buy wheat free/soy free feed (soy is a rotational & shared equipment crop, so it should be considered not safe) and also supplement with typical black oil sunflower seeds (however the bags are cross contaminated with wheat, I sometimes get glutened from that bag so we put new protocols in place = I wear 2 sets of gloves & do not reach down to bottom of bag, hubby puts it in a bucket). 🙄😑

So many things contain wheat/gluten. Watch out for glues. The drywall in my very old house does Gluten me too, but not every home is like that. 🤷🏻‍♀️😑☹️ Oh, some Celiacs react to the protein in oats, did you know that? I buy a special strain from a dedicated gluten-free place & all employees are also gluten-free too!

You will get a handle on it. I hope this gives you some ideas on what to do & what not to do. 🙏🏼😘~M