Wheat is
one of the eight most common allergy-causing foods. While
wheat allergy most often affects children, it can also occur
in adults. Allergic reactions usually occur in susceptible
individuals a few minutes to a few hours after they've
consumed wheat.
Signs and
symptoms of wheat allergy range from mild to severe and can
include skin reactions, congestion and digestive issues.
Rarely, wheat allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a
life-threatening reaction.
If you or
your child has a reaction to wheat, tell your doctor about it,
no matter how mild the reaction may have been. Tests can help
confirm a wheat allergy, so you can take steps to avoid future
and potentially worse reactions.
Not all
reactions to wheat are caused by wheat allergy. Some people
have a digestive reaction to a sticky protein called gluten
that's found in wheat and other grains. This reaction to
gluten differs from a wheat allergy. It can be caused by an
inability to digest gluten (gluten intolerance) or by an
allergic reaction to gluten known as celiac disease or gluten
sensitive enteropathy.
Signs and
symptoms of wheat allergy can include:
- Swelling, itching or irritation of the mouth
or throat
- Hives or
skin irritation
- Nasal
congestion
- Airway
inflammation
- Gastrointestinal symptoms such as cramps,
nausea and vomiting
Allergy
symptoms differ from person to person and generally occur a
few minutes to a few hours after wheat's been ingested. In
some people, allergic reactions occur:
- When
exercising after eating wheat
- From
inhaled flour in the workplace (sometimes called bakers'
asthma)
Anaphylaxis
Some people have a severe
reaction to wheat called anaphylaxis. This is a medical
emergency and requires treatment with an epinephrine
(adrenaline) shot and a trip to the emergency room. Signs and
symptoms start within seconds to two hours after eating wheat
and can include:
- Constriction of airways, including a swollen
throat or a lump in your throat that makes it difficult to
breathe
- Shock,
with a severe drop in blood pressure
- Rapid
pulse
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of
consciousness
The only
way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid wheat and
wheat proteins altogether. This can be difficult, as wheat is
a common food ingredient.
Medications, such as antihistamines, may reduce
signs and symptoms of wheat allergies. These drugs can be
taken after exposure to wheat to control your reaction and
help relieve discomfort.
Despite
your best efforts, you may still come into contact with wheat.
If you have a serious allergic reaction, you may need an
emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) and a trip to
the emergency room. If you're at risk of having a severe
reaction, you may need to carry injectable epinephrine (such
as EpiPen) with you at all
times.
