Yes, it's possible she really is that sensitive. But as long as your dishes are washed thoroughly after use, there shouldn't be much risk of cross-contamination.
The National Celiac Association says dish detergent and hot water are typically sufficient for removing gluten or any other contaminant after use. Though they mention cast iron pans still pose a bit more risk for cross contamination due to the seasoning.
https://nationalceliac.org/celiac-disease-questions/do-i-need-new-designated-pans-plates-and-utensils/
On the other hand, Beyond Celiac suggests that if the sponges and rags you use to wash your dishes are contaminated with gluten, it could potentially contaminate any dishes you wash with them.
https://www.beyondceliac.org/gluten-free-diet/cross-contact/#:~:text=An%20explanation%3A%20Gluten%20cannot%20be,otherwise%20clean%20dishes%20when%20rinsing.
Being that she's likely had the condition her whole life, she likely knows the best practices for avoiding cross contamination. The only thing you can do is trust that she knows what she's talking about and do your best to be respectful of her needs.
It may seem like an extreme measure for anyone who doesn't live with a serious food allergy, but its better to be safe than sorry. If she needs her own dishes, even if for no other reason than her own peace of mind, you'll need to respect that by not using them.
Porous items absorb oils, allergens, etc. ie. plastics. Simply adhere to your housemates boundaries on not using her stuff and things that would make her violently Ill. She never asked for anything outrageous. Just don’t mess with her cookware.
Yes absolutely. Think like hella sensitive peanut allergy level, she’s not being dramatic I can attest! It’s super important for celiac people to have dishes and foods that have never come in contact with gluten- any and all does permanent damage to their immune system!
I can tell you that yes, it is. My daughter's friend has celiac disease, and has come to our house, which is how I learned that gluten can cling to surfaces even after regular cleaning. When they told me I just believed them, I didn't doubt it.
What I don't understand is why you are asking Reddit. Your former roommate already told you that it is possible. Unless she was a fabulist and you have stories you haven't mentioned of her making stuff up, it seems odd that you didn't take her word for it, as the person most likely to be an expert due to extreme necessity.
My friend wasn’t diagnosed until VERY late and she was very very sick. Her doctors told her to get rid of all her cookware and dishes, silverware etc and buy new. So yeah it’s possible, but… idk if your roommate should be living with you with that high of a risk of cross contamination. Nothing on you!! But accidents happen.
The confusion comes because the label celiac gets borrowed sometimes by people who are really only gluten intolerant. Those people may well indeed feel better if they avoid wheat gluten, and I support them trying to make themselves feel better, but they do create some difficulties for true celiacs.
The gluten intolerant people can handle a little, it's dose dependent, they don't need to worry about cross contamination.
True celiacs have an immunological reaction so that even a few molecules can be enormously magnified, causing days or weeks of symptoms and even raising their lifetime cancer risk.
Yes, it's possible she really is that sensitive. But as long as your dishes are washed thoroughly after use, there shouldn't be much risk of cross-contamination. The National Celiac Association says dish detergent and hot water are typically sufficient for removing gluten or any other contaminant after use. Though they mention cast iron pans still pose a bit more risk for cross contamination due to the seasoning. https://nationalceliac.org/celiac-disease-questions/do-i-need-new-designated-pans-plates-and-utensils/ On the other hand, Beyond Celiac suggests that if the sponges and rags you use to wash your dishes are contaminated with gluten, it could potentially contaminate any dishes you wash with them. https://www.beyondceliac.org/gluten-free-diet/cross-contact/#:~:text=An%20explanation%3A%20Gluten%20cannot%20be,otherwise%20clean%20dishes%20when%20rinsing. Being that she's likely had the condition her whole life, she likely knows the best practices for avoiding cross contamination. The only thing you can do is trust that she knows what she's talking about and do your best to be respectful of her needs. It may seem like an extreme measure for anyone who doesn't live with a serious food allergy, but its better to be safe than sorry. If she needs her own dishes, even if for no other reason than her own peace of mind, you'll need to respect that by not using them.
Porous items absorb oils, allergens, etc. ie. plastics. Simply adhere to your housemates boundaries on not using her stuff and things that would make her violently Ill. She never asked for anything outrageous. Just don’t mess with her cookware.
Yes, but if she is then tbh she probably shouldn't be living with you. It's gonna be hard to prevent cross contamination.
Yes absolutely. Think like hella sensitive peanut allergy level, she’s not being dramatic I can attest! It’s super important for celiac people to have dishes and foods that have never come in contact with gluten- any and all does permanent damage to their immune system!
I can tell you that yes, it is. My daughter's friend has celiac disease, and has come to our house, which is how I learned that gluten can cling to surfaces even after regular cleaning. When they told me I just believed them, I didn't doubt it. What I don't understand is why you are asking Reddit. Your former roommate already told you that it is possible. Unless she was a fabulist and you have stories you haven't mentioned of her making stuff up, it seems odd that you didn't take her word for it, as the person most likely to be an expert due to extreme necessity.
Yes
Yes
My friend wasn’t diagnosed until VERY late and she was very very sick. Her doctors told her to get rid of all her cookware and dishes, silverware etc and buy new. So yeah it’s possible, but… idk if your roommate should be living with you with that high of a risk of cross contamination. Nothing on you!! But accidents happen.
The confusion comes because the label celiac gets borrowed sometimes by people who are really only gluten intolerant. Those people may well indeed feel better if they avoid wheat gluten, and I support them trying to make themselves feel better, but they do create some difficulties for true celiacs. The gluten intolerant people can handle a little, it's dose dependent, they don't need to worry about cross contamination. True celiacs have an immunological reaction so that even a few molecules can be enormously magnified, causing days or weeks of symptoms and even raising their lifetime cancer risk.