Hand Sanitizer

[mathieml]

4 minutes ago, cyclinglady said:

Here's the deal....I would be worried a bit about this ingredient: tocopheyl acetate.  Here's more information from a very reputable site:

Open Original Shared Link  

When I am in the grocery store or Target, I don't have time to look up everything. Ever try to read a shampoo bottle? Heck, understand the ingredients and be able to read the tiny print?    I try to stick to simple ingredients.  So, I do buy Purell, but not the fancy ones and usually the cheaper no name brands (university tuition is looming ahead).    My bottle states:  Ethyl Alcohol, water, glycerin, proplene glycol, caromer.  No gluten.  Nothing even close to disputing.  But it doesn't really matter to me personally, because I always wash my hands before eating, so I should never be glutened by a santizier.   Besides others here have lived to tell their tales about Purell and I trust other celiacs. 

Give yourself some time to take all this in.  Changing hand lotions, lipsticks, cutting boards, toasters, can all be overwhelming (the list goes on).  

 

 

Ok, thanks! I will find a different sanitizer with a simple ingredient list.

Since she has suffered so long, I'm trying to get everything in place quickly so she heals faster. I've checked all her food. In addition, I have a list of good local restaurants from the findmeglutenfree.com app. I've also checked her toothpaste, lipstick, chapstick, medications, and I'm working on her hand sanitizer.

We decided against tossing all of her bath and body works lotion. She loves it so much and she agreed to wash her hands after each use (maybe this is a bad choice?).  We also decided to let her keep her shampoo and conditioner (Fructis) because she says she doesn't get it into her mouth. I will switch to a different shampoo and conditioner once it is gone though. We will be getting a new toaster soon too and she won't use it in the meantime.

I felt like I was getting this figured out, but today she almost got glutened. She went to the movies with a friend. I had called ahead to make sure the popcorn was gluten free (they checked the ingredients while on the phone). But, afterwards she went to starbucks and ordered tea. She says she asked if it was gluten free and they said "I don't know why it wouldn't be," and she went ahead and drank it. I told her next time have them check the ingredients! I checked it when she got home and lucky for her it was gluten free, but other flavors aren't gluten free and she won't be so lucky next time.

Anyway, I hope I am doing things right and not missing anything. I just really want her to feel better.

[cyclinglady]

Eating out is tricky.  Most of us have been glutened through cross contamination at a restaurant.  The "Find Me Gluten Free" is a great app BUT I only trust those reviews written by a celiac!  Always talk to the head chef (or manager) and don't rely on wait staff.    

Jane Anderson of Very Well (formerly about.com) is a celiac who writes good articles about coping with celiac disease.  She has many safe food lists (Halloween candy too!)

This is a very hard disease to deal with when you are young.  My daughter's in the marching band.  One of the members has celiac disease.  She ended up dropping band last year because of her health.  I suspect she was glutened a few times.  Anyway, the band director really didn't have a clue about celiac disease.  I shared my knowledge.  Even though this girl looked fine, she didn't always feel well.  He contacted her and now she's back playing in the pit (learned a new instrument), which is less strenuous and if she gets sick, it won't impact the field show.  She's happy and the director's happy.  

 

[kareng]

8 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

Here's the deal....I would be worried a bit about this ingredient: tocopheyl acetate.  Here's more information from a very reputable site:

Open Original Shared Link  

When I am in the grocery store or Target, I don't have time to look up everything. Ever try to read a shampoo bottle? Heck, understand the ingredients and be able to read the tiny print?    I try to stick to simple ingredients.  So, I do buy Purell, but not the fancy ones and usually the cheaper no name brands (university tuition is looming ahead).    My bottle states:  Ethyl Alcohol, water, glycerin, proplene glycol, caromer.  No gluten.  Nothing even close to disputing.  But it doesn't really matter to me personally, because I always wash my hands before eating, so I should never be glutened by a santizier.   Besides others here have lived to tell their tales about Purell and I trust other celiacs. 

Give yourself some time to take all this in.  Changing hand lotions, lipsticks, cutting boards, toasters, can all be overwhelming (the list goes on).  

 

 

I wouldn't worry about that ingredient as the product is so highly refined (as the article states) and such a tiny percentage of the product.

I think you are worrying about the wrong things.  Hand sanitizers and wipes are an unlikely  place to get any gluten into your GI tract.    With a kid this age, her real gluten challenges will be from friends or not "believing" she needs to be careful with food.  If she continues to get gluten in her diet, it is likely she is putting it there herself.  That is where I think you need to put your efforts.

[cyclinglady]

1 hour ago, kareng said:

I wouldn't worry about that ingredient as the product is so highly refined (as the article states) and such a tiny percentage of the product.

I think you are worrying about the wrong things.  Hand sanitizers and wipes are an unlikely  place to get any gluten into your GI tract.    With a kid this age, her real gluten challenges will be from friends or not "believing" she needs to be careful with food.  If she continues to get gluten in her diet, it is likely she is putting it there herself.  That is where I think you need to put your efforts.

KarenG is wise, wise, wise!  

[mathieml]

4 hours ago, kareng said:

I wouldn't worry about that ingredient as the product is so highly refined (as the article states) and such a tiny percentage of the product.

I think you are worrying about the wrong things.  Hand sanitizers and wipes are an unlikely  place to get any gluten into your GI tract.    With a kid this age, her real gluten challenges will be from friends or not "believing" she needs to be careful with food.  If she continues to get gluten in her diet, it is likely she is putting it there herself.  That is where I think you need to put your efforts.

Ok, thank you. That is what I needed to know. My daughter is totally on board with avoiding gluten foods. She is very anxious to feel better. She just said this morning she doesn't want to go out to eat anymore. It breaks my heart though because eating out was her favorite thing to do before.

My celiac daughter is the only one in our house that is gluten free and I'm getting concerned about cross contamination. I have another 9 year old that loves bread and she isn't particularly careful with getting crumbs on the table/floor. Is this something we need to worry about? I am careful about washing my hands before preparing food and my celiac daughter has been washing her hands before eating, so I thought we were okay. But, I've been reading so many articles and some say that tiny amounts of gluten will cause damage. Other articles say not to worry about tiny amounts though, so I don't know what to think.

[cyclinglady]

This is about keeping your daughter safe.  Yes, tiny crumbs can do damage.  Can you have a shared household?  Yes, but with plenty of training.  I did it for years for my hubby and before I was diagnosed. But I was in charge of the kitchen.  I did not let my kid into the kitchen for the most part.  I love her but she is a kid!    I had total control because sick hubby means no food...bills....he came first.  Then i was  diagnosed.  We went 100% gluten free -- even my kid.  Yep, last night she had a pot roast sandwich on gluten free bread, like her Dad.  I prefer lettuce wrapped.   Today, she had a croissant that I had frozen and put it in her lunch.  She assembles her sandwiches at school.  I gave her prepackaged serving of cookies as a treat along with veggies and fruit.  I keep her on gluten but let her eat it anywhere but in our home....okay, the porch is okay!  Our family and friends do no not bring any gluten to our house.  Yes, our holidays are gluten free and no one misses it.  My kid even prefers a chocolate gluten free mayonnaise cake for her birthday over a store bought bakery cake.  It is that good (everyone asks for seconds so they are not just trying to be nice.). 

Even my dog is grain free!  

You are going to have to see what works for you as a family, but sick people come first.  

[Newly Diagnosed]

It is overwhelming at first.  I tend to google things (and usually google brings me to past conversations from this group) when I want to know if they are gluten free and I can't tell when I read the ingredients.  There is also an app called "allergenie" that I use, but only if I am almost sure it is gluten free and just want to confirm.  I have definitely cut out some things just because the list of ingredients was too long and I am lazy!  The good news is, my entire family is eating healthier now that I realize how many ingredients used to be in our food! 

[squirmingitch]

You might want to check out the Gluten Free Watchdog - just google it - and join. Very smart lady there who also has celiac disease. She's gone to the mats for us many times. She knows her stuff! 8 products are tested per month and there are many great articles and videos as well. She's the same lady who does the Gluten Free Dietician but on the Watchdog site, you get the test results of products as well as faster info. on breaking news.

[mathieml]

3 hours ago, cyclinglady said:

This is about keeping your daughter safe.  Yes, tiny crumbs can do damage.  Can you have a shared household?  Yes, but with plenty of training.  I did it for years for my hubby and before I was diagnosed. But I was in charge of the kitchen.  I did not let my kid into the kitchen for the most part.  I love her but she is a kid!    I had total control because sick hubby means no food...bills....he came first.  Then i was  diagnosed.  We went 100% gluten free -- even my kid.  Yep, last night she had a pot roast sandwich on gluten free bread, like her Dad.  I prefer lettuce wrapped.   Today, she had a croissant that I had frozen and put it in her lunch.  She assembles her sandwiches at school.  I gave her prepackaged serving of cookies as a treat along with veggies and fruit.  I keep her on gluten but let her eat it anywhere but in our home....okay, the porch is okay!  Our family and friends do no not bring any gluten to our house.  Yes, our holidays are gluten free and no one misses it.  My kid even prefers a chocolate gluten free mayonnaise cake for her birthday over a store bought bakery cake.  It is that good (everyone asks for seconds so they are not just trying to be nice.). 

Even my dog is grain free!  

You are going to have to see what works for you as a family, but sick people come first.  

Okay, I'll have a talk with my youngest about being more careful. Maybe she can have a special spot where she can eat gluten? If she can't be careful enough then I will have to make our kitchen gluten free. But, that doesn't solve the problem of gluten everywhere else in the world. I'm sure the school cafeteria will be covered in gluten crumbs.

Wow! Your dog is gluten free? Do a lot of celiacs do that? Our dog has a very sensitive stomach, so it will be difficult to change his food.

[notme]

i have anywhere from 2-5 kids getting off the bus here every day and they are all gluten eaters (although i think one grandson shouldn't be, but that is another fight for another day) so i buy lunchables and keep them in their very own fridge drawer.  they bounce in, wash hands, get a paper plate and a lunchable and a juice box or water.  they can eat in their designated area (coffee table or tray table) while they do homework or watch tv.  i wipe everything up when they're finished and they haven't got me sick yet.  i like the lunchables because they can do their own thing and i don't have to fool with it.  self contained and they throw all the trash away themselves.  we'll order a pizza every now and again, but, same rules.  to their credit, they are pretty respectful not to make meemo sick    but you will hear me holler every now and again:  STOP WAVING THAT AROUND YOU ARE GETTING GLUTEN EVERYWHERE!!!  but not too often.  they're ages 7-13.  if i feed them full meals, they eat gluten free.  or starve to death <house rule lolz  "eat it, don't eat it, starve to death, i don't care, but you're not getting anything else."  torture, i know...  

[RMJ]

A visible bread crumb is not a small amount to a celiac, it is an amount that can cause severe reactions.

[squirmingitch]

2 hours ago, mathieml said:

Okay, I'll have a talk with my youngest about being more careful. Maybe she can have a special spot where she can eat gluten? If she can't be careful enough then I will have to make our kitchen gluten free. But, that doesn't solve the problem of gluten everywhere else in the world. I'm sure the school cafeteria will be covered in gluten crumbs.

Wow! Your dog is gluten free? Do a lot of celiacs do that? Our dog has a very sensitive stomach, so it will be difficult to change his food.

My dog was gluten free long before I ever knew there was such a thing as celiac disease; actually since the day she entered our house @ 9 weeks of age. People might argue the point with me but there are a lot of others out there who will agree wholeheartedly (including many dog breeders) that dogs are essentially allergic to wheat, corn & soy - especially the glutens in them. Since discovering I & my hubs (yes really, it does happen - probably because of awareness) have celiac, we have taken the dog grain free. Truthfully, about 2 years ago I began feeding her a raw diet. It sounds complicated but believe me, it's far easier than searching for the right kibble when companies change ownership & new owners get greedy & change formulations. My dog has NEVER been more healthy than she is now!

Try one little trick please. Put a big dollop of plain yogurt in your dogs food every morning. Give it time to see the results.