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Licking Envelopes

jknnej

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jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted

Stupid question, I know, but I just licked an envelope and am panicking. anyone know if envelpes are safe???

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angel-jd1 Community Regular
angel-jd1
Posted

I have always heard that we are not supposed to lick them. I just buy the peel and stick ones.

However I have never seen any proof or research that goes either way on the issue.

I guess I just go twards the safe side of things with the peel and stick. When I have one that is lickable, i use a wet paper towel to seal it. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

-Jessica :rolleyes:

KaitiUSA Enthusiast
KaitiUSA
Posted

I have also always heard they are not safe but I do not know that for sure I just stay away from licking them. I also heard that most stickers contain gluten as well in their adhesive. I use the peel and stick and then wash my hands(because of the adhesive)-I like to be extra cautious.

jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted
  • Author

Oh, this sucks! I just licked one a couple of minutes ago. I just got off a week of hell for ingesting gluten accidentally. I am really depressed now.....the thought of another week of hell is really awful.

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

I can't put my hands on the posts right now, but the companie(s) responsible for making all envelope glue in the U.S. are on record as saying it is corn based and completely gluten-free. Can't say about foreign companies. I think these posts were on the St. John's forum.

Does this mean you can now lick envelopes? That's your decision. I mostly still wet them with a cloth or get my son to do the licking.

richard

pamelaD Apprentice
pamelaD
Posted

I lick envelopes all the time... well 5 or 6 a month (bills), and have never had a reacation.

I remember reading somewhere that envelopes USED TO have gluten, but the newer ones do not. So if you have an older box of envelopes, perhaps buy some new ones.

I am only speaking from my experience....

Is anyone out there sure they have had a reaction from licking an envelope?

Pam

darlindeb25 Collaborator
darlindeb25
Posted

good job richard---getting your son to lick envelopes--my daughter ;) always told me to get a wet papertowel cause she isnt licking nothing for me---hehe---like i told someone in a post a few minutes ago--i use a glue stick to seal envelopes or i tape them--i do not lick-- :P deb

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Carriefaith Enthusiast
Carriefaith
Posted

Once when I was doing my banking, I licked an envelope by mistake... As soon as I licked it, I realized what I did and I went outside and spit a few times to "try" and get rid of it. I never got sick from it as far as I can remember.

KaitiUSA Enthusiast
KaitiUSA
Posted

I never got a reaction from it...since I have had celiac I just have never licked them. I know people that have had reactions from what they thought was that. Maybe that was with old envelopes I don't know. I just don't really trust it them but if you know they are gluten-free and you don't have a reaction....it's completely up to you.

DarlinDeb25-the glue stick is a good idea. I think I'll do that. :D

Boojca Apprentice
Boojca
Posted

The post saying if they are made in the USA they are gluten-free is correct. I can't put my hands on it, but there was a post about this in the Delphi Forums a while ago.

Bridget

stef-the-kicking-cuty Enthusiast
stef-the-kicking-cuty
Posted

If I have to lick an envelope I always give it to my hubby or also take a wet towel.

Hugs, Stef

jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted
  • Author

Ok, I feel a little better now. Hopefully they are gluten-free...in the future I will stay away from them...

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Well here is one person who has had a definate reaction form licking an envelope. I also have DH though and because I was so sick for so long (15 yrs)- ('it was all in my head-have an antidepressant' was my ex-doctors mantra) I am very sensitive. For me 1 envelope caused DH sores and a flare up of the 1 day depression with 2 weeks of joint and muscle pain. I wouldn't lick an envelope any more than I would eat at Pizza Hut! No matter where it was made.

gf4life Enthusiast
gf4life
Posted

I certainly don't want to cause alarm here, but I just want to let you know of my personal experience. I do not lick envelopes. I know what they say about the glue being ade from corn, and it's gluten-free, etc, but why take chances if there are old envelopes out there that might not be gluten-free. How am I supposed to know if EVERY envelope is safe. I use a wet sponge to wet the glue.

Now, about the paper. I don't know if this applies to envelopes or all types of paper (I doubt that), but some craft paper has wheat starch as a binder in the paper. I have had definite skin reactions to some paper I was using at a stamping class I took a while back. I couldn't figure out what was happening with my hands for the longest time, but I went to the class once a week for a few months and would spend the next few days after each class dealing with a rash, pain and tingling in my hands. It ended up being the paper.

I do have DH and the funny thing is I get a similar reaction from dog saliva. When a dog licks my hands and I don't wash them IMMEDIATELY, within a few minutes I get that tingling feeling. When I put two and two together it ended up the dogs were eating food with gluten and it was in their saliva. Now I actively avoid letting dogs lick my hands and if they do, then I make sure to wash them right away.

So you might want to consider that if you get a reaction from a certain "licked" envelope it might have been the glue OR the paper!

God bless,

Mariann

jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted
  • Author

For sure I won't be licking any envelopes anymore.

flagbabyds Collaborator
flagbabyds
Posted

I never do, I have that little thing that has a water bottle and then a sponge on top and it works really well, and Hey now, you don't have to taste that disquesting taste

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