Wheat Allergy

A wheat allergy is a reaction your body has to foods containing wheat. This reaction can happen when you eat wheat, or, less commonly, when you breathe in wheat flour.

The best way to manage a wheat allergy is to avoid wheat as much as possible. But it's not always straightforward. Wheat is a common ingredient in many foods, including things you might not expect, like soy sauce, ice cream, and even hot dogs. If you accidentally eat wheat, you might need medicine to treat the allergic reaction.

Sometimes, a wheat allergy is mistaken for a condition called celiac disease. They're different. With a wheat allergy, your body creates special proteins (called antibodies) that react to proteins in wheat. Celiac disease involves a different type of immune system problem. In celiac disease, a specific protein in wheat called gluten triggers the abnormal immune response.

People with wheat allergies often experience reactions soon after eating foods with wheat. These reactions can happen within minutes or a few hours. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Mouth and throat problems: A tingling, itching, or swelling feeling in the mouth or throat is a frequent symptom.
• Skin reactions: Hives (red, itchy welts), a widespread itchy rash, or swelling on the skin are also common.
• Respiratory issues: A stuffy nose (nasal congestion) can occur, and in more serious cases, breathing difficulties may develop. This can feel like tightness in the chest or trouble catching your breath.
• Headaches: Some people with wheat allergies experience headaches.
• Digestive problems: Stomach cramps, feelings of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can happen.
• Severe reaction (anaphylaxis): In rare but serious cases, a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can occur. This is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat and tongue, a rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and loss of consciousness.

Important Note: If you experience any of these symptoms after eating wheat, it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately. This is especially important if you suspect anaphylaxis.

If someone is having a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Anaphylaxis is a very serious medical problem that needs quick attention. Symptoms can include trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, hives, and a rapid heartbeat. Prompt medical care is crucial.

If you think you or your child might be allergic to wheat or other foods, talk to your doctor. They can help determine if you have an allergy and recommend ways to manage it safely. Knowing if you or your child has a food allergy can prevent serious reactions in the future. Your doctor can explain how to identify possible symptoms and what steps to take if you suspect an allergic reaction.

People with wheat allergies have their immune systems prepared to react when exposed to wheat proteins. This means their body's defense system is "alerted" by the presence of these proteins. Wheat contains different types of proteins, and an allergic reaction can develop from any one of them. These protein types are called albumin, globulin, gliadin, and gluten.

Some things can make you more likely to develop a wheat allergy.

• Family history: If your parents have food allergies or other allergies, like asthma, you might be more likely to develop a wheat allergy or allergies to other foods. This is because a family history of allergies suggests a possible genetic predisposition. The genes you inherit from your family can affect how your immune system reacts to different substances.

• Age: Wheat allergies are most common in babies and young children. Their immune systems and digestive systems are still developing, making them more vulnerable to allergic reactions. Many children grow out of a wheat allergy by the time they're 16 years old. However, adults can also develop wheat allergies, sometimes due to a reaction to substances found in grass pollen that are similar to wheat proteins. This is called cross-reactivity.

Diagnosing a wheat allergy involves a few steps. Your doctor will start by getting a complete medical history and doing a physical exam. They might also use some tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Skin Test: A skin test is one way to check for allergies. Small amounts of different allergens, including wheat proteins, are placed on your skin, usually on your forearm or upper back. A small prick is made in your skin to allow the allergen to enter. After about 15 minutes, your doctor or nurse will look for any reactions. A reaction, like a red, itchy bump, at the spot where the wheat protein was placed, could suggest a wheat allergy. The most common reaction to this test is mild itching and redness.

Blood Test: If a skin test isn't possible due to skin conditions or other factors, a blood test can be done. This test looks for specific antibodies in your blood that are related to allergies. These antibodies can indicate if you're allergic to wheat (or other substances).

Food Diary: Keeping a detailed food diary can be helpful. Write down everything you eat and when, along with any symptoms you experience. This helps your doctor see patterns between what you eat and how you feel.

Elimination Diet: Sometimes, your doctor will recommend removing certain foods, especially common allergens like wheat, from your diet for a period. Under your doctor's guidance, you will slowly reintroduce these foods while carefully monitoring for symptoms. This helps pinpoint if a particular food is causing a reaction.

Food Challenge Test: This test is done under close medical supervision. You slowly eat the suspected food, starting with a small amount and gradually increasing it. Doctors carefully watch for any allergic reactions, such as hives, swelling, or trouble breathing. This test helps confirm a potential allergy.

These methods, used together, help your doctor determine if you have a wheat allergy or other food allergies. It's important to always follow your doctor's instructions and report any symptoms you experience.

To manage a wheat allergy, the most important thing is to avoid wheat. Wheat is a common ingredient in many processed foods, so carefully checking food labels is crucial. This means paying close attention to ingredients lists and understanding what wheat-containing products might be hidden in unexpected places.

If you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to wheat, even after using an epinephrine injection, immediate medical attention is absolutely necessary. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

Scientists are exploring ways to treat food allergies using immunotherapy. This involves gradually exposing a person to small amounts of the allergy-causing substance (in this case, wheat proteins). The goal is to make the body less sensitive to the allergen, reducing or eliminating symptoms over time. Early studies show some promise, but more research is needed.

Some smaller studies have looked at a type of immunotherapy given by mouth for wheat allergies. These studies found that it might lessen allergy symptoms, but more research is needed to confirm these findings and understand how effective it is.

For milder reactions to wheat, antihistamines can help reduce symptoms. Antihistamines are available over-the-counter and by prescription. Talk to your doctor about whether an antihistamine is right for you and which type might be best.

A crucial emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) is epinephrine. If you're at risk of a serious reaction to wheat, you should always carry two epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPen or Adrenaclick) with you. This is because a second dose might be needed if the first one isn't enough, or if symptoms return before emergency services arrive. Always double-check the expiration dates on your epinephrine auto-injectors.