Possibly contaminated "gluten free" food? What to do?

[disgruntledceliac]

There's a type of yogurt I'm fond of that I feel safe eating. I stick to their plain flavour, in order to avoid extra ingredients that might make me sick.

Today I was eating it when I noticed what appeared to be red syrup near the top of the container. (I smelled it and it smells like raspberry/strawberry-flavoured syrup.) Now I'm spooked that I might get sick due to cross-contamination.

In my case, I get a bad case of DH when I am exposed to gluten. (Haven't gotten sick in six months due to strict adherence to the Fasano diet.) I'm on a low dose of Dapsone.

This possible exposure happened within the last hour, so it is too soon to notice any bad results. Hopefully nothing happens. That said, in a situation where I do get sick from this, is there any way I can reduce the effects?

(Yes, I'm being very vigilant. Better safe than sorry though, when it comes to celiac/DH.)

I appreciate any insight/advice.

[squirmingitch]

Drink tons of water to flush your system and get lots of rest. 

[disgruntledceliac]

Thanks for the reply.

One day later and I haven't broken out into DH or experienced any other nasty symptoms. So hopefully it was a false alarm. Fingers are crossed ... it definitely gave me a scare.

[squirmingitch]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for a while longer just for good measure. I know it's scary when that kind of thing happens. Suddenly you're YIKES!!!!!!! Then you worry whether you're going to psyche yourself into a reaction -- real or not. 

[MinNYC]

I keep three things on hand for such instances or if Im actually having an outbreak - a gluten enzyme (a gluten blocker would also work - to keep the gluten from being absorbed in full), a digestive enzyme to help break it down and either benadryl or a natural antihistemine Quercetin. These and a lot of water seem to help...

[apprehensiveengineer]

Benadryl and other allergy medications won't help much unless you are allergic to wheat. Celiac/DH is a different immune system pathway, and so allergy meds won't affect it much. Benadryl might feel like it helps because it knock you out (hard to feel bad if you're passed out), but probably not something you want to be falling back on.

I'm a little skeptical on the gluten enzymes as well. I am aware that some clinical trials have showed that certain formulations can "neutralize" small amounts of ingested gluten (eg. CC), but I think that once you start having obvious symptoms it's too late. If it's something like OP described (noticing something iffy while you're eating it), then taking enzymes might help though.

Lots of fluids, easily digested/bland foods, and sleep is a sure bet, though.

 

 

[Awol cast iron stomach]

Ahhh your timing is perfect. I don't know my exact cc that occurred on 12-21, because I don't eat out and have eaten no new products. I did start a new job recently and many were celebrating the season with some gluten treats. They did have a buffet table and most lunchmates know I sit at the end of the table and why. I keep my food in isolation and I use my own personal place mat at lunch time. So still unknown. My last cc was in July some fish from a regular retailer.

I go to my chiropractor/acupuncturist for my beloved "magic needles".  I have found alternative practitioners helpful in dealing with my health before my 4th decade diagnosis. I was misdiagnosed for 20 plus years.  I also find Epsom salt baths helpful, drinking lots of water, and taking it easy/dialing down activity. I often can t sleep because gluten causes insomnia for me. I have learned if I work out, it is likely too stressful for my body, my skin begins to flare . If I flare at the gym I cease working out and do sometimes use the sauna at the gym and again tons of water.

This doesn't prevent  DH from erupting entirely, as I still have a few patches even now, and where I don't rupture, I get redness and the tell tale itching/ burning just under the skin as my warning. I use zinc oxide on my blisters/rupture. As otc meds etc contain corn derivatives which also tick my immune system and gi off. 

So while alternative is not for everyone i have been using chiropractors to manage my issues for 20 plus years, long before my current more accurate diagnosis. I started TCM after my diagnosis as My Dr mention it may help. She knew I am no stranger to chiropractor s.

On an end note my current tcm/ chiropractor is a celiac. ?

 

 

Edited January 2, 2019 by Awol cast iron stomach
Added and fixed errors

[apprehensiveengineer]

I have found zinc oxide and epsom salts helpful as well. I find that they dry out the lesions, which seems to speed up healing a bit. I also find that the lesions that I pick at are prone to getting infected (fingernails are dirty!), and that both of those topical treatments seem to mitigate that a bit.

Sweating also causes me pure misery during an active outbreak, especially if sweaty clothing starts rubbing against my skin. This is a bit hard to avoid in the summer as I am an athlete. Getting out of my sweaty clothes and showering immediately seems to help minimize issues.