For Those With Other Food Allergies In Addition To Gluten

[Clark Bent as Stupor-Man]

Is cross contamination as big a concern for other allergens as well? I'm currently avoiding dairy and soy as well as gluten (in addition to a number of other allergens which I'm less worried about) while I'm on an elimination diet. I'm now trying to ensure all of my products don't have gluten, which is a pain in itself. Do I also have to make sure products don't have dairy and soy if I am indeed allergic or it simply isn't a big concern. I know vitamin E, which is in some products, often has soy and dairy may be used in some lotions or soaps, I'm guessing? I saw some improvement my first couple weeks gluten-free but seem to be up and down since so I want to make sure I'm not getting sick from any products. Thanks.

charlie

[mmaccartney]

Is cross contamination as big a concern for other allergens as well?

In short, the answer is YES!

It depends on what you can tolerate though. Me, I can tolerate some dairy both topical and ingesting it. I choose not to eat any dairy (why tempt fate?) however I dont necessarily exclude dairy from my topical products. BUT my children must avoid 100% of dairy whether topically or ingesting it. For them, even the most minute trace of dairy can cause a reaction, which could kill them. They are allergic though, not intolerant....

hope that helps!

[tarnalberry]

Is cross contamination as big a concern for other allergens as well? I'm currently avoiding dairy and soy as well as gluten (in addition to a number of other allergens which I'm less worried about) while I'm on an elimination diet. I'm now trying to ensure all of my products don't have gluten, which is a pain in itself. Do I also have to make sure products don't have dairy and soy if I am indeed allergic or it simply isn't a big concern. I know vitamin E, which is in some products, often has soy and dairy may be used in some lotions or soaps, I'm guessing? I saw some improvement my first couple weeks gluten-free but seem to be up and down since so I want to make sure I'm not getting sick from any products. Thanks.

charlie

It entirely depends on the allergy. If it's an anaphylactic allergy, then yes - you need to be even MORE careful of cross contamination. Anaphylactic shock can kill you, and if you've got anaphylactic allergies, you need to *always* carry an epi-pen. If it's non an anaphylactic allergy, or just an intolerance, then no, you don't have to be paranoid about cross contamination, but realize you still run a risk and want to minimize contamination. For instance, if I had an anaphylactic peanut allergy, and was going to someone's house, I would ask that they put away anything containing peanuts or peanut derivatives, including any cooking/eating utensils that have this on them (no dirty knives from the peanut butter jar in the sink). If I had merely a standard, non-anaphylactic wheat allergy that gave me hives, I'd ask they clear off a counter where they're preparing food I can eat and not share utensils in cooking, but would not worry about them serving bread, in it's own serving container, at the same table, as long as they're not dropping crumbs on my food.

[Clark Bent as Stupor-Man]

I don't have any anaphylactic food allergies. I simply have intolerances. I'm not sure exactly what I'm intolerant to as of yet though I'm most focused on gluten, dairy, and soy. I was diagnosed lactose intolerant when I was a kid. It seems that many people with varying levels of gluten intolerance have reacted to incidental consumption of products so I just want to confirm that the same could be said for intolerances to soy, dairy, etc. Or am I going overboard trying to find out if various products contain these allergens?

[tarnalberry]

Or am I going overboard trying to find out if various products contain these allergens?

none of us can tell you, because it depends on your reactions. some people are intolerant to soy, and find that the amount used in processing chocolate does bother them, but many people may not. there's no way but to try for yourself to find out what your level of tolerance is.