I don't have health insurance so I have never had any testing done. I always thought if I stay away from gluten Ill be fine but I suppose that isn't enough anymore. I will look into getting an allergy test. Thank you for your input!
I remember reading an article summarizing testing done by Gluten Free Watchdog on several brands of dried lentils. They were all heavily cross contaminated with wheat and the commentary was to the effect that dried lentils in general were the most heavily cross contaminated product category in their testing data base. So, I would definitely not use any dried lentil product that was not tested to be Gluten Free (<20ppm of gluten) or Certified Gluten Free (<10ppm of gluten).
While spices, lentils, beans and chickpeas are naturally gluten-free, the main concern with any brand is cross-contamination during processing and packaging. Since Suraj doesn't appear to certify their products as gluten-free or use dedicated gluten-free facilities, there is some risk of trace gluten exposure, especially with their corn flour which could be milled on shared equipment with gluten-containing grains. For absolute safety, I'd recommend looking for brands that are certified gluten-free by organizations like GFCO - good options include McCormick for spices, TruRoots or Bob's Red Mill for lentils and beans, and Anthony's for corn flour. That said, if you need to use Suraj products, be sure to carefully check labels for any wheat warnings, thoroughly rinse lentils and beans before cooking, and consider contacting the manufacturer directly to ask about their gluten testing protocols. Many in our community have found that investing in certified gluten-free brands gives them greater peace of mind and helps avoid accidental gluten exposure, especially for higher-risk items like flours.
Dapsone, commonly prescribed for dermatitis herpetiformis (the itchy gluten-related skin condition), comes with several potential side effects that patients should monitor. The most frequent issues include blood-related problems like hemolytic anemia (especially in those with G6PD deficiency, which is more common in certain ethnic groups) and methemoglobinemia that can cause fatigue, shortness of breath, or bluish skin. Many patients also experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, or skin sensitivity to sunlight. While these effects are often manageable, there are rare but serious risks including dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome (with fever, rash and organ inflammation), liver problems, or severe anemia that require immediate medical attention. That's why doctors typically monitor blood counts and liver enzymes regularly during treatment. A crucial tip: proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole can interfere with dapsone's effectiveness, so discuss all medications with your doctor. If you develop fever, unexplained fatigue, yellowing skin/eyes, or a spreading rash while on dapsone, stop taking it and contact your healthcare provider right away. For celiac patients specifically, remember that strict gluten-free eating may eventually reduce or eliminate the need for dapsone to control dermatitis herpetiformis symptoms over time.