Wheat Allergy
wheat-allergy-rash
When gliadian and glutenin is mixed it forms gluten. Gluten is the main cause of having allergy symptoms to people. The protein content of wheat causes the allergic reaction. The proteins which wheat contains are like: alcohol-soluble, alcohol-insoluble, salt-soluble & water-soluble. Many people complain about the occupational allergies or occupational asthma. People who work in bakeries or food companies where wheat based products are prepared, they often complain about problems like asthma or any allergic reaction caused during work or at workplace. These problems go off or weaken during weekends or holidays. This clearly indicates the occupational asthma or occupational allergy.
Wheat allergy symptom
The symptoms of wheat allergy can occur within minutes or in couple of hours. The allergic reaction is caused if the person comes in contact with wheat or the wheat flour is inhaled or if wheat is consumed, in any form. Allergic to wheat means not only wheat but also wheat products. The forms or products or sources from which wheat could come in contact with our body are pasta, cereals, sauces, pastry, pancakes, flour, breads, cakes, biscuits, bulgar wheat couscous etc.
Symptoms of wheat allergy
- Anaphylactic shock
- Eye reaction
- Conjunctivitis
- Gastrointestinal reaction
- Diarrhea
- Gastric upset/ gastric irritation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Wind
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Mouth, nasal and ear reactions
- Ear blocked
- Itching mouth/palate/throat
- Rhinitis
- Sneezing
- Respiratory reaction
- Asthma
- Breathing problems
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Skin reaction
- Eczema
- Itching
- Urticaia
- Angioedema
- Contact dermatitis
- Rashes
- Fever
- Weight loss
These allergic reaction may be seen if barley, millet, wheat, oat, corn, rye, spelt, buckwheat is consumed. There may be many other elements which can cause above symptoms.
Wheat allergy Tests
- Blood test: CAP-RAST
- Blood test: ELISA
- Skin test: Skin prick
- Skin test: Intradermal
- Nasal challenge test
- Inhalation challenge test
- Elimination diet: Get some consulting from a dietician (dietitian) and get a specified wheat allergy diet from him. This will avoid allergic reactions.
- Symptom diary
- Food challenge
- Exercise challenge
Self help tips for wheat allergy
- Keep a check on the diet you consume.
- Whenever you are consuming any ready made food, in that case check the ingredient section and check out if anything suspicious on the list, or any element to which you are allergic to.
- Going to restaurant get the details of what all ingredients will be used in the placed order, or you can always tell it upfront that you are allergic to wheat so eliminate related ingredient.
- Following is the list of ingredient you need to avoid if you have wheat allergy: vegetable gum, wheat, wheat germ, wheat flour, malt, modified food starch, starch, cereal extracts, cereal filler, cereal protein, couscous, durum, edible starch, farina, gluten, graham, hydrolysates etc.
