<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
One person wrote that what I was experiencing was not a celiac
reaction, but the smell of fresh bread was inducing a hunger reaction
and related symptoms like you might get from low blood sugar. I was
not aware that mild and immediate steatorrhea was a symptom of low
blood sugar. After pointing this out he insists that it isn't from
breathing the air in the coop, unless the gluten-laden particulates
in the air are so thick that you can't even see across the store, you
could not breath in and digest enough gluten
to get a reaction. The only other possibility is that you may have
some other underlying issues besides celiac disease.
Many people wrote that the gluten was probably on the floors, thus on
the soles of your shoes; on shelving and other food items, thus
getting on your clothing and exposed skin. Several suggested that I
only buy items I could completely wash at home. Another suggested not
touching anything in the coop.
One person on occasion uses a mask (the hardware store style) to shop
in Whole Foods, where the gluten free baked goods are right outside
the gluten bakery. She found it very effective.
One person gets this sort of reaction from stores as well. She isn't
able to work in bookstores that have indoor cafes. She avoids all
bread aisles and bakeries in large grocery stores. She is also
limited in her ability to stay in a restaurant in which bread of any
kind is baked.
One person writes that it sounds like the flour in the air. It stays
in the air for up to 24 hours and lands on everything - doesn't sound
like a safe place to buy your GF food - as it is probably coating
your GF even if you don't see it. And you are taking it home in your
shopping bags, then putting it on your kitchen counter, in your frig,
etc. It's all contaminated. She thinks I should shop elsewhere and
pay more for non-contaminated food.
One writes that the flour particles can hang in the air for 48 hours or more.
One writes that I should find out how big a particle of wheat flour
is and then get a dust mask that keeps those size particles out.
One points out that a charcoal filter will filter the odors. She
writes that you can purchase the ordinary white filter masks lined
with charcoal. [This I did not know.] She provided this link:
http://www.achooallergy.com/3M-8247-particulate-mask.asp
And in quantity: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008MCV5ZM
It was suggested that it would probably be best to get a good dust
mask with a flutter valve that allows you to exhale without effort.
The problem with the charcoal filter one is that exhaling will either
open a breach at the margin of the mask, or force you to exhale
powerfully. In either case, a flutter valve is much more convenient
and easier to use. [I was not able to find a charcoal one witha
flutter value.] A respirator is not usually used for particulate like flour.
One suggests trying the mask, long sleeves, and pants, and see how
that works out, before I give up. [But what does gluten on the skin
have to do with it?]
One asked if the coop used to sell rye flour in bulk. I asked the
bulk buyer. He replied: We sell rye flour in aisle 2 in a packaged
form and we sell it as well in aisle 6, as well as rye berries that
we package. We also have many rye crackers in aisle 6.
One wrote an overly long e-mail asking if I had looked at this as a
histamine reaction. She claims that everything contributes to a mast
cell reaction, including emotions, air pressure, temperature, diet,
etc. Some people in the mast cell forums have and do wear face masks
not necessarily for gluten air, but for perfumes, auto exhaust,
pollens, etc. The spectrum of this disorder is vast. These links were included:
http://meandmymastcells.com/what-are-triggers/
http://peelingbacktheonionlayers.com/could-histamine-be-sabotaging-your-digestive-health/
Don.
Visit the Celiac Web Page at Http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html
Archives are at: Http://Listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?LIST=CELIAC
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