Gluten allergy to the scent of beer?

[jjay520]

My girlfriend is gluten intolerant and I'm extremely sensitive about her allergies.  I live with 4 roommates in a 2 bedroom apartment, I just graduated from college and am putting myself through grad school.  She doesn't get along with her own roommates and therefore spends a lot of time at my place.  We're all recent college grads so at times there is drinking, I'm not a beer person myself, but my roommates are.  She recently got into a heated discussion with me saying due to her gluten allergies every time she stays at my place on the weekends she gets sick (either migraines or too her stomach, she wasn't specific enough and she was so heated I didn't want to push the issue).  So she gave me the ultimatum to move out or confront my roommates.  She already is over a lot and slightly imposing and I've done some research indicating there is no such thing as a gluten-scent allergy or an allergy to beer.  If I'm going to talk to her I want to be sure I have my facts straight.  I am EXTREMELY sensitive re: her allergies..always looking up new recipes finding new gluten free restaurants etc.  but she constantly exaggerates and gets dramatic about her gluten intolerance.  If I need to confront my roommates I just want to make sure all my facts are straight.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks so much!

[FurballsMom]

I can understand where your girlfriend is coming from.  Beer is strong smelling.  Since I get migraines, too, I know all too well that certain smells can trigger migraines.  Migraines are very complicated.  Does your apartment have a balcony?  I was wondering if it would be possible to keep all the empty cans and bottles in a recycling bin outside on the balcony?  I am trying to think of a kindly compromise that would not have to be a heated confrontation between you and your room mates.  But, I do understand how your girlfriend feels.  I have gluten intolerance, too.  But, I believe that the smell gets to her because of the migraine disorder.  The thing is--both of these conditions are life long conditions.  When I'm around certain types of smells, strong smells in particular, I get migraines, too.  Migraine symptoms can range from mild to moderate.  The symptoms go beyond a bad headache, just so you know.  This is why it may seem like she is exaggerating to you.  I know she isn't because of my own personal experiences.

Do you think it's possible to sit your room mates down together to have a respectful dialogue amongst each other about a workable solution, so that everyone will continue to be comfortable living together in the same apartment?  After all, they would be right if they brought up the fact that this is their apartment, too.  That's why I thought about keeping the empties outside on the balcony without keeping them around the apartment at all.  Any beer glasses ought to be washed immediately, too, and not left lying around with the rest of the dirty dishes.  Seriously, I know what your girlfriend is talking about.  But, I think everyone's feelings need to be considered and respected, so try to bring it up without turning this into a heated battle.  I would hate for you and your roommates to end up parting company over a situation where you end up no longer being able to be friends later in life.

It may or may not be an allergy to the gluten or the alcohol, if that's what you're concerned about.  But, consider this:  Some people are deathly allergic to the minutest particles of peanuts in their environments.  And, strong smells do trigger migraines.  Alcohol itself will trigger migraines.

It's wonderful that you are being so kind and considerate towards your girlfriend's needs.  That is a quality that more people should show toward each other.  I'm sure your girlfriend truly appreciates this.