Got glutened at work yesterday.

[magga1988]

Hey guys!

Im newly diagnosed at 1. September 2022 and have tried to follow the GFD since. For as far as I know I have been only glutened once, and it was a mistake by me. Taking up the wrong bread from a freezer in the dark, and then eating it as lunch the same day. I was very ill for a few days. And scared...

 

Its been a roller coaster of emotions getting this disease. My day job is working in a kindergarten. The kids I work with usually are aged 3-6, but I sometimes work with the younger kids which are splitted into two groups. 2 year olds and 1 year olds. Anyways, yesterday I was working with the 1 year olds, stepping in for a colleague that was sick. I was playing with one of the 1year olds at the floor, blowing at his stomach with clothes on, and lifting her up and down. This was not long after they all ate bread. An hour after the "play-time" I started noticing stomach ache. I tried to think about what it could have been. And the only thing I can think about, is that I either got glutened through that episode with the 1year old. Or that my lunchbox that I put inside a microwave have somewhat been cross-contaminated.

 

The Kindergarten is FULL of crumbs and flour residues. EVERYWHERE. This does however not mean im putting any of it inside my mouth. I am always washing my hands thoroughly and trying my best to eat safely there. I always bring my own food that is in a tupperware that I warm up inside a microwave. We have several microwaves in the kindergarten, and by looking inside them I can tell that there are a lot of crumbs and flour residues there. Should that be a problem for me? Should I maybe always have the cover of my box on, while warming up the food ? (just to be safe) I don't know the physics of a microwave.

 

Anyways, I am 100% certain now that I got glutened yesterday due to the symptoms I am now having. Also had a hard time sleeping this night. That is why im up 3 hours earlier than I needed to Probably during that episode playing with the 1year old. I should probably be more careful from now on... Not putting my mouth on they're stomachs and if they are climbing on me I need to make sure nothing is falling inside my mouth from they're clothes.

 

I am considering switching occupation due to the exposure of gluten my work gives me. My hands are really sore after washing them all the time. I also don't like pushing kids away, when they wanna come close to me. Anyone else heard about celiacs working in a kindergarten and managing to stay "safe" ?

Also, what does a "gluten accident" with a small crumb feel like for you guys? Do you get symptoms? And how long does it last? I am feeling stomach cramps as im writing this, and have been feeling them since last part of my workday yesterday. Hopefully I will survive at work today. Even though I am not feeling well.

 

Much love to all you guys here. I am certain this was a learning experience for me. Hopefully, I wont feel like this for a long time now.

[Scott Adams]

It's probably a bit late for the article below, but it may be helpful. Also, there is an enzyme called GliadinX (they are a sponsor here) that has been shown in numerous studies to break down small amounts gluten in the stomach, before it reaches your intestines, and due to your occupation you may want to look into it.

There is not easy answer for how to avoid contamination in your situation, but you should definitely use your own covered container if you heat something up in the microwave, as well as any other oven or toaster there. If possible avoid using them altogether. 

For most celiacs skin contact will not be a factor, but for some who are sensitive it can be. It would make sense for you to wash your hands frequently.

 

 

[magga1988]

11 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

It's probably a bit late for the article below, but it may be helpful. Also, there is an enzyme called GliadinX (they are a sponsor here) that has been shown in numerous studies to break down small amounts gluten in the stomach, before it reaches your intestines, and due to your occupation you may want to look into it.

There is not easy answer for how to avoid contamination in your situation, but you should definitely use your own covered container if you heat something up in the microwave, as well as any other oven or toaster there. If possible avoid using them altogether. 

For most celiacs skin contact will not be a factor, but for some who are sensitive it can be. It would make sense for you to wash your hands frequently.

 

 

Thanks for the reply When you mean skin contact, you are not talking about getting gluten on your skin right? I am frequently washing my hands. To the point where they are really soar now

[Scott Adams]

Yes, skin contact with gluten means getting it on your skin. For most celiacs this is not an issue, but for those who are very sensitive it can be an issue. Of course, consuming any gluten should be avoided by all celiacs, so you should do what is necessary to avoid this, for example not using shared toasters, ovens, etc.