Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Omg - The Envelopes At The Atm!


DingoGirl

Recommended Posts

DingoGirl Enthusiast

A surprise discovery, every couple of weeks as I deposit checks into the ATM, I just lick that envelope without thinking. :blink: I am so careful at work and home, use a sponge every time, and have now realized that I am glutening myself with that!! So....I took the bottle of DOG WATER and swished my mouth right then and spit....I think some of it hit the ATM :ph34r:

The proof will be in the poop tomorrow, I guess, but I am glad to have identified a fairly regular source! Anyone else do this?

Susan


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



flagbabyds Collaborator

I've never done it, but that is probably a big mistake of other people. Just make sure to bring a sponge w/ you to the bank from now on, or just leave one in the car.

jerseyangel Proficient
:lol::lol: Next time, use the dog water on your finger to seal the envelope! So far, I've stopped myself just in the nick of time. Hope you don't get sick ;)
Becky6 Enthusiast

I almost did that myself and stopped right before my tounge touched! Hope you don't get sick!

Lollie Enthusiast

Well, I was paying bills today....worrying far more about the finances then the mechanical method of actually paying the bills. I licked 2 envelopes before I relized what I was ding! I'm hoping that they won't make me sick! I'm already drinking water just in case!!!!

So your not at all alone!!!!!

Lollie

DingoGirl Enthusiast
Well, I was paying bills today....worrying far more about the finances then the mechanical method of actually paying the bills. I licked 2 envelopes before I relized what I was ding! I'm hoping that they won't make me sick! I'm already drinking water just in case!!!!

So your not at all alone!!!!!

Lollie

Aaaaaaagh!! Sorry it happened to you too, Lollie...I guess we can file this under "reasons why we can't figure out we've been glutened" - - - :huh: because I haven't even THOUGHT of it all this time that I've been DOING IT!!!

nettiebeads Apprentice

I thought that the idea of the glue on the envelopes being bad for us was an outdated rumor. So it's really true? we shouldn't lick envelopes?

Annette


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Ursa Major Collaborator
I thought that the idea of the glue on the envelopes being bad for us was an outdated rumor. So it's really true? we shouldn't lick envelopes?

Annette

They may or may not have gluten, you never know. I only buy the self-sticking ones, but unfortunately, because they cost more, envelopes from any kind of business are still the kind you have to lick. Maybe we should let banks, book clubs and all the other ones with those envelopes know that it would help us, if they use self-sticking ones.

lovegrov Collaborator

Odds are very, very high that the envelope glue had no wheat. No U.S. manufacturer uses wheat.

richard

Ursa Major Collaborator

Richard, do you know what they DO use? If it has corn starch, for instance, it would still make me sick.

elonwy Enthusiast

I don't lick envelopes because I got a paper cut on my tongue once and that cured me. I carry a glue stick in my purse, and if I don't have that I put spit on my finger and use that, and change fingers if I have to use more.

Elonwy

DingoGirl Enthusiast
Odds are very, very high that the envelope glue had no wheat. No U.S. manufacturer uses wheat.

richard

Wow! I hadn't heard this so that's good news....

Guest nini

sure no US manufacturer uses wheat BUT many companies buy in bulk from the least expensive company which very well can be from another country... the problem is that you can never tell... our local support group recently got an e-mail reminder that this is still a very real concern. It is not a myth and YES I have gotten glutened from licking envelopes. So now for ATM envelopes I keep one of those sponge bottles in my car. It is filled with water and has a sponge tip.

2Boys4Me Enthusiast

The drive-thru ATM and ATM at the bank I use have self sticking envelopes. It's the Royal Bank of Canada. If our ATMs can find and use them, I don't know why American ones can't. Don't know the manufacturer or supplier, though.

psawyer Proficient
The drive-thru ATM and ATM at the bank I use have self sticking envelopes. It's the Royal Bank of Canada. If our ATMs can find and use them, I don't know why American ones can't. Don't know the manufacturer or supplier, though.

At TD Canada Trust where I bank, they also use the self-sealing envelopes.

ehrin Explorer

I am in the Print industry and let me say you wouldn't lick an envelope if you knew the process at most printing vendors. It is NOT sanitary!!! For the most part envelopes are stored in an open, dirty and dusty environment and then, unless the envelopes are blank, they run through a machine press to be printed. Envelopes run through a press with the flap OPEN so they are touching machine parts and can come in contact with inks. Trust me, you don't want to lick an envelope...period. I've found that you don't even have to seal the ATM envelopes. I just tuck the flap inside and deposit. I have yet to have a problem!

kabowman Explorer

I carry a small roll of tape with me for just that reason - I used to lick a finger, lick another finger, etc. until it sealed then run home and wash my hands. Either way, I now use tape.

nettiebeads Apprentice
I am in the Print industry and let me say you wouldn't lick an envelope if you knew the process at most printing vendors. It is NOT sanitary!!! For the most part envelopes are stored in an open, dirty and dusty environment and then, unless the envelopes are blank, they run through a machine press to be printed. Envelopes run through a press with the flap OPEN so they are touching machine parts and can come in contact with inks. Trust me, you don't want to lick an envelope...period. I've found that you don't even have to seal the ATM envelopes. I just tuck the flap inside and deposit. I have yet to have a problem!

You are so right about the sanitary conditions (NOT) of paper makers and printer shops. My second ex used to work in a calendar/printer plant in upstate New York. I've seen it first hand also how much dust and dirt and grime was everywhere. I'll remember that next time I have to mail off something.

Annette

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,914
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    ChrisMary
    Newest Member
    ChrisMary
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Rogol72
      @klmgarland, My dermatitis herpetiformis didn't clear up until I became meticulous about cross contamination. I cut out gluten-free oats and all gluten-free foods, dairy and gluten-free rice. Additionally, getting the right amount of protein for my body weight helped significantly in my body's healing process ... along with supplementing with enough of all the vitamins and minerals ... especially Zinc and Magnesium. I went from 70kg to 82kg in a year. Protein with each meal 3 times daily, especially eggs at breakfast made the difference. I'm not sure whether iodine was a problem for me, but I can tolerate iodine no problem now. I'm off Dapsone and feel great. Not a sign of an itch. So there is hope. I'm not advocating for the use of Dapsone, but it can bring a huge amount of relief despite it's effect on red blood cells. The itch is so distracting and debilitating. I tried many times to get off it, it wasn't until I implemented the changes above and was consistent that I got off it. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is horrible, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.  
    • klmgarland
      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.