Your gluten-free journey sounds like a lot of trial and error—especially working in a deli where gluten exposure is constant! The eye-watering issue could be an airborne gluten sensitivity (like flour dust irritating your eyes) or even a mild wheat allergy, since you’re around it daily. A daily antihistamine (like Claritin or Zyrtec) might help if it’s allergy-related, but avoiding airborne gluten as much as possible (masking, washing hands/face often) is key. It’s great you’re tracking triggers—high-fiber foods and certain gluten-free substitutes (like those tortillas or PB pretzels) can sometimes cause similar symptoms due to additives or digestive adjustments. For travel, pack safe snacks (protein...

It’s scary how hidden gluten can be—even in non-food products like hair care! Your experience is a great reminder that topical products with gluten can cause systemic reactions in some people with celiac disease, especially if they’re accidentally ingested (like when shampoo runs down your face). While not everyone reacts to external exposure, your symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, and GI issues—clearly show your sensitivity. It’s frustrating that companies aren’t required to label “gluten-free” on cosmetics, so ingredient checks are a must. Don’t feel stupid; many of us learn this the hard way! Thanks for sharing your story—it’s a wake-up call for others to...

It’s possible—though not extremely common—to develop a wheat allergy in addition to celiac disease. While celiac is an autoimmune reaction to gluten, a wheat allergy is an IgE-mediated response to wheat proteins, which can cause allergic symptoms like hives, swelling, or even anaphylaxis. Your recent anaphylactic reaction strongly suggests a true wheat allergy has developed alongside your celiac disease. Research on this overlap is limited, but some people with celiac do develop other immune-related conditions, including allergies. Repeated gluten exposures may have sensitized your immune system over time, leading to this new allergic response. Since wheat allergy involves...