Anyone get sick delivering/handling food?

[StrongerThanCeliac]

I delivered for DoorDash for the first time on Thursday night. Of course almost every order is some super gluteny hot cooked meal. The smell was strong, I thought about putting the food in the trunk to avoid the smell but figured it was just in my head. Anyways, I didn’t feel anything until I was done for the night (ended up doing 8 deliveries over 3 hours).

I am now having a full on celiac/gluten reaction and it’s Saturday (reaction worsened yesteday). Am I really sick from just the smell? I haven’t gotten sick from being around gluten before but I guess it’s usually in a more ventilated room. Or maybe from handling it somehow? But all the food is sealed.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[knitty kitty]

@StrongerThanCeliac,

Yes, there are other sensitive Celiacs who react to airborne gluten.  Airborne gluten particles can enter through your nose and get washed down the throat and into our digestive system.

I get sick shopping in the bakery and bread aisle at the grocery store.  

I react to crustaceans also, so restaurants that boil shrimp and such are avoided.  

What a challenge for you!  Perhaps InstaCart which delivers groceries would be an option for you to try instead.  

Best wishes!

[Scott Adams]

The vast majority of celiacs won't have issues or symptoms in the work scenario you described, but we had similar reports from others who are super sensitive, especially by those who have worked in regular wheat bread bakeries or other similar settings. You may want to try the trunk option, and if possible, perhaps roll down the windows?

[StrongerThanCeliac]

Thanks for the responses, I thought I had replied but I guess it didn’t submit! I’ve looked into Instacart but they’ve been full and not accepting new shoppers every time I’ve tried.

 

The trunk option seems to make the most sense. I am somehow still sick - still thinking no way I got this sick from airborne already cooked food. Even though it’s sealed, maybe I was contaminated somehow by touching it then touching my phone?

I eat everything with utensils and wash my hands before I eat. But I am always on my phone some while eating. I’m also taking the cap off of my bottled water with my hands that touched my phone. I don’t know, just trying to figure out what’s causing a now 5 day reaction. 

 

[knitty kitty]

@StrongerThanCeliac,

Perhaps wearing a Covid type mask to keep out tiny particles?  

Up your intake of B Complex vitamins.  B vitamins help you deal with stressors.  

[StrongerThanCeliac]

On 8/23/2023 at 12:16 AM, knitty kitty said:

@StrongerThanCeliac,

Perhaps wearing a Covid type mask to keep out tiny particles?  

Up your intake of B Complex vitamins.  B vitamins help you deal with stressors.  

I haven’t done DoorDash since. But maybe I should wipe down my phone and keys to be sure? I don’t know. The food was all sealed so I doubt that I’m somehow getting cross contamination from touching my phone while eating, etc. 

[knitty kitty]

If you are eating food from a restaurant, your chances of cross contamination is greater.

Try eating simple meals cooked at home.  Grass fed beef and fresh veggies.  

[StrongerThanCeliac]

12 hours ago, knitty kitty said:

If you are eating food from a restaurant, your chances of cross contamination is greater.

Try eating simple meals cooked at home.  Grass fed beef and fresh veggies.  

I don’t eat food from restaurants typically. Probably overthinking it, but I was thinking if I touched gluten, then touched my phone. Then I’m touching my phone in between eating gluten free food lol.