The wheat allergy

Description

Wheat allergy is an allergic reaction to foods containing wheat. Allergic reactions can be caused by consumption of wheat and also, in some cases, by inhaling wheat flour.

Avoiding wheat is the primary treatment for wheat allergy, but that is not always as easy as it seems. The wheat is found in many foods, including some you might not suspect, such as soy sauce, ice cream and hot dogs. Medications may be necessary to manage allergic reactions if you accidentally eat wheat.

Wheat allergy is sometimes confused with celiac disease, but these conditions are different. Wheat allergy occurs when the body produces antibodies against the proteins found in wheat. In celiac disease, a specific protein in the wheat gluten causes a different type of abnormal immune system reaction.

Symptoms

A child or adult with allergies to wheat is likely to develop signs and symptoms within minutes to hours after eating something containing wheat. The wheat allergy signs and symptoms include:

  • Swelling, itching, or irritation of the mouth or throat
  • Hives, itchy rash or swelling of the skin
  • Nasal congestion
  • Headache
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Cramps, nausea, or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis

For some people, wheat allergy can cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. In addition to other signs and symptoms of wheat allergy, anaphylaxis can cause:

  • Swelling or tightness in the throat
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Severe difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Pale, blue skin color
  • Dizziness or fainting

When to see a doctor

If someone shows signs of anaphylaxis, call 911 or your local emergency number. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

If you suspect that you or your child is allergic to wheat or other food, see your doctor.

Causes

If you have a wheat allergy, exposure to a protein in wheat that prepares your immune system for an allergic reaction. You can develop an allergy to any of the four classes of wheat proteins — albumin, globulin, gliadin and gluten.

The sources of proteins of wheat

Some sources of wheat proteins are evident, such as the bread, but all of the proteins of wheat and gluten in particular — can be found in many prepared foods and even some cosmetics, bath products and play dough. Foods that may include proteins of wheat are:

  • The bread and the bread crumbs
  • Cakes, muffins and cookies
  • Breakfast cereals
  • Pasta
  • Couscous
  • Farina
  • Semolina
  • Spelt
  • Cookies
  • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
  • Soy sauce
  • Meat products, such as hot dogs
  • Dairy products, such as ice cream
  • Natural scents
  • The starch gelatinized
  • Food starch modified
  • Rubber plant

If you have an allergy to wheat, it is possible that you might also be allergic to barley, oats and rye. Unless you are allergic to other grains of wheat, though, it is recommended that the wheat from the diet is less restrictive than a gluten-free diet.

Wheat-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis

Some people with wheat allergy symptoms develop only if the exercise within a couple of hours after eating wheat. Exercise-induced changes in your body can trigger an allergic reaction or worsen an immune system response to a protein of wheat. This condition usually results in life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Risk factors

There are certain factors that can put you at greater risk of developing wheat allergy:

  • The history of the family. You are at a higher risk of allergy to wheat or other food if your parents have food allergies or other allergies, like asthma.
  • Age. Wheat allergy is most common in infants and young children, who have immature immune and digestive systems. The majority of children outgrow wheat allergy by 16, but adults can develop, often as a cross-sensitivity to grass pollen.

The wheat allergy

Diagnosis

A physical examination, detailed medical history, and some tests will help your doctor make a diagnosis. Tests or diagnostic tools may include:

  • Skin test.Tiny drops of purified allergen extracts — including extracts of wheat proteins — are raised on the surface of the skin, either on your forearm, or the upper part of his back. After 15 minutes, the doctor or nurse looks for signs of allergic reactions. If you develop a red, itchy bump where the wheat protein extract was pricked at your skin, you may be allergic to wheat. The most common side effect of these tests on the skin is itching and redness.
  • Blood test. If a condition of the skin, or possible interactions with certain drugs that prevent you from having a skin test, your doctor may order a blood test that detects specific allergy-causing antibodies to common allergens, including wheat proteins.
  • Food journal. Your doctor may ask you to keep a detailed record of what and when to eat and when you develop the symptoms for a time.
  • Elimination diet. Your doctor may recommend that you remove certain foods from their diet, especially those that are common allergens. Under your doctor's direction, gradually add foods back and note when the symptoms come back.
  • Food challenge test. Eat foods that are suspected to be the cause of allergies agent, while being supervised by the symptoms of the allergy. Under supervision, you should start with a small amount of the food and gradually increase the amount that is consumed.

Skin test. Tiny drops of purified allergen extracts — including extracts of wheat proteins — are raised on the surface of the skin, either on your forearm, or the upper part of his back. After 15 minutes, the doctor or nurse looks for signs of allergic reactions.

If you develop a red, itchy bump where the wheat protein extract was pricked at your skin, you may be allergic to wheat. The most common side effect of these tests on the skin is itching and redness.

Treatment

Avoid protein of wheat is the best treatment for wheat allergy. Due to the proteins of wheat appear in many prepared foods, carefully read the labels of the products.

Drugs

  • Antihistamines may reduce signs and symptoms of minor allergy to wheat. These medications can be taken after exposure to wheat to control your reaction and help relieve the discomfort. Ask your doctor if a prescription or non-prescription allergy medicine is right for you.
  • Epinephrine is an emergency treatment for anaphylaxis. If you are at risk of having a serious reaction to the wheat, you may need to carry two injectable dose of epinephrine (EpiPen, Adrenaclick, others) with you at all times. A second pen is recommended for people at high risk of life-threatening anaphylaxis in the event of anaphylactic symptoms return before the emergency care is available.

Emergency care

Emergency medical care is essential for anyone who has an anaphylactic reaction to the wheat, even after receiving an injection of epinephrine. Call 911 or the local emergency number as soon as possible.

Potential future treatments

Scientists are working on various types of immunotherapy for the treatment of food allergies. Immunotherapy is exposed to small amounts of the substance allergic, and then increases the exposure over time. The hope is that your body will become desensitized to the allergens, and we're going to have fewer or no symptoms.

Several small clinical trials have been conducted in the form of oral immunotherapy for wheat allergy that showed the reduction of allergy symptoms. More research is needed, however.

Self-care

You can take steps to avoid exposure to the proteins of wheat, and to ensure timely treatment when we are accidentally exposed to wheat.

  • Keep others informed. If your child has a wheat allergy, make sure that the person who takes care of your child, including the principal, teachers and the school nurse or child care, you know about the allergy and the signs of the wheat from the exposure. If your child takes to the epinephrine, make sure that the school staff know how to use the pen, if it is necessary, and that they need to contact emergency care immediately. Inform your friends, family, and coworkers of your own food allergies.
  • Wear a bracelet. A medical id bracelet that describes the allergy and the need for emergency care may help if you experience anaphylaxis and can't communicate.
  • Always read the label. Don't trust that a product is free of what you can't eat until you read the label. The proteins of wheat, especially gluten, they are used as thickeners in food, and appear in many unexpected places. Also, don't assume that once you have used a particular brand of a product, will always be secure. Ingredients change.
  • Shop gluten-free foods. Some specialty stores and supermarkets offer gluten-free foods that are safe for people with wheat allergies. However, it can also be free of the grains that you can eat, so sticking to the gluten-free foods may limit your diet unnecessarily.
  • Refer to wheat-free cooking books. Cookbooks specializing in recipes without wheat can help you cook safely and allow you to enjoy the baked goods and other foods made with substitutes for wheat.
  • Dinner with caution. Tell the restaurant staff about your allergies and how serious it can be if you eat anything with wheat flour. Ask the staff how food is being made, and the order of the simple dishes prepared with fresh food. Avoid foods such as sauces that can be hidden sources of wheat proteins.

Preparing for your appointment

Consult your doctor if you suspect that you or your child has a wheat allergy or other allergy. The doctor may refer you to an allergy specialist (allergist) for some of the diagnostic tests.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, make a list for your doctor that includes:

  • The symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to an allergy
  • The history of his family from allergy and asthma, including the specific types of allergies
  • The drugs, vitamins or supplements that you or your child is taking

Also the list of questions to ask your doctor, such as:

  • Are these symptoms probably due to an allergy?
  • I need allergy tests?
  • Should I see an allergist?
  • Do I need to carry epinephrine in case of anaphylaxis?
  • Do you have brochures or other printed material? What sites do you recommend for more information?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions as well.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you a series of questions, including:

  • How soon after eating do symptoms appear?
  • Do the symptoms seem to be related to a specific food?
  • For a baby, what solid foods to your baby to eat?
  • Has recently introduced a new food to your baby's diet?
  • Did anyone else get sick from eating the same food?
  • How much of a suspected allergy-causing foods that you ate?
  • What other foods are eaten at or around the same time?
Symptoms and treatment of Wheat allergy