Sponges = Cross Contamination?

[Mommy20]

I have a 3 year old daughter who has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease a couple months ago. I know we have to have different collanders, toasters, etc. But what about sponges? Do I have to buy her own set of bowls/dishes/utensils and wash them with a gluten free safe sponge? Or can I continue using the plastic bowls/dishes I have now and wash them with my everyday sponge? I have 2 other children who are do not have any allergies so they all share their dishes (I wash them of course). I am very careful with cross contamination. I wash the dishes and then thoroughly rinse with water. Is it okay to keep doing it the same? Thanks in advance...

[sandejosgirl]

Heyyah! I wanted to reply to your post so that you know that people are thinking about the issue! We care! This is a great place to get info and support. I have a daughter (4.5yrs), son (3), and baby girl (1yr) who are in the very least gluten sensitive. They are highly clinically reactive to gluten (i.e. you eat it and get sick) and have the genes for it. We are waiting to get into the Ped. GI as the only ones in the state are a couple of hours N. Our 1st apt is next week! Anyway, we have been wheat/rye free for 18 mos and gluten-free for about a month.

I would say ditch the sponges if your daughter gets sick, don't bother if its not a bother . Some kiddos are more sensitive than others. My kiddos get sick if within a 50 mile radius of gluten! Seriously! Last week we stayed with friends while my husband had some training classes for work. We cooked all our food ahead of time and packed it in and are still recovering GI-wise from the week. The only thing I can think of is washing dishes in the same sink/drying them with the same towel. But who knows? Maybe the toys had gluten traces? At this point it doesn't matter much, just trying to deal with the consequences.

I hope that your kiddo feels wonderful on her new diet. My 4 yr old already tells people, "I'm sorry. I can't eat that, it has wheat in it."

Stephanie dx. gluten sensitive 1/09 no biopsy done

Faith, Caleb & Joy gene +, blood work -, strong clinical rx to gluten, dx gluten sensitive 1/09, no biopsy yet! + blood work for Crohn's, waiting for a Doc apt.