This is a condition in which the immune system overreacts to wheat. It is also known as wheat allergy, and in severe cases, it may lead to anaphylaxis. The most common symptoms of this type of allergy include hives, skin rash, stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. Usually, doctors diagnose this condition by performing some tests. To prevent serious complications, it is important to find it early and get treatment. Physicians often recommend medicines and to avoid foods that contain wheat.
Generally, it is one of the most common types of food allergies. It occurs when the immune system overreacts to wheat when you eat, drink, or inhale products that contain it. While for most people with this type of allergy, eating products with wheat does not cause any problems, some of them may develop moderate to severe symptoms. The symptoms often occur because the immune system identifies wheat as being harmful, like bacteria, viruses, or other germs.
It is very important to get treatment early because this condition can be fatal. Some people may develop a severe allergic reaction in which swelling in the throat occurs. If it occurs, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 in the U.S. or the emergency number in your country.
This type of allergy can affect anyone, especially if you have a family history of allergies. According to some studies, this allergy affects from 0.2% to 1.3% of people worldwide. Moreover, roughly 0.4% of children in the U.S. have wheat allergy.
How Does a Wheat Allergy Affect My Body?
Usually, the body reacts in two different ways in people who experience wheat allergy. For example:
Immunoglobulin E Mediated Reaction
The body responds to this type of allergy by producing immunoglobulin E (IgE) when you eat, drink, or inhale wheat. It is also known as antibodies that the immune system makes to fight different germs (such as bacteria). Usually, immunity produces different types of IgE, which are sensitive to some types of allergens.
While most times, an allergic reaction occurs within minutes, in some cases, it may happen over a few hours. One of the most severe reactions is anaphylaxis, which can be deadly without immediate treatment.
Non-immunoglobulin E Mediated Reaction
In such cases, the body reacts but does not involve IgE antibodies. As a result, the allergic reaction occurs more slowly compared to the previous one. Usually, it takes up to 2 days to develop the reaction.
However, the most common reactions include eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) or eosinophilic gastritis (EG), which cause inflammation (swelling) in the esophagus (the tube that carries food and drinks from the mouth to the stomach). If you develop EG, inflammation occurs in the lining of the stomach.
Symptoms
People who develop wheat allergy usually experience the following symptoms. For example:
- Skin rash
- Hives
- Swelling
- Indigestion
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Diarrhea
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Anaphylaxis
- Inflammation
However, the symptoms happen differently among people and may be mild to severe. Furthermore, some people develop a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Check below some symptoms of anaphylaxis:
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Chest tightness
- Shock
- Sudden weakness
- Dysphagia (swallowing problems)
- Fast heart rate
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Confusion
- Abdominal (belly) pain
- Lightheadedness
- Passing out
- Severe diarrhea
If you experience any of the previous symptoms, immediately contact your healthcare professional.
Causes
Generally, there are 4 types of wheat proteins that cause allergy. For example:
- Albumin
- Gliadin
- Globulin
- Gluten
While some people develop IgE-mediated reactions as infants that often occur suddenly, others may experience a non-IgE-mediated reaction that often develops slowly over time.
You may wonder if this type of allergy is contagious. No, it cannot spread from one person to another.
How to Prevent Wheat Allergy?
One way to prevent wheat allergy is to avoid products that contain it. That’s why it is recommended to check the product labels, especially on packaged foods.
Diagnosis
If your doctor suspects a wheat allergy, you may be referred to an allergist (a healthcare professional who specializes in allergies). First, they will perform a physical examination to check for irregularities linked to the allergy (such as hives or swelling). Then, they may ask some questions about symptoms and family history. If you have a parent or sibling with food allergies, your risk of developing them significantly increases.
To confirm the condition and rule out others that cause similar symptoms, doctors may perform some tests. Check below some of them:
Skin Prick Test
During this test, doctors will clean an area of the skin with iodine or alcohol and then expose it to small amounts of wheat proteins. Usually, this test is performed on the forearm or upper back. While most doctors use a thin needle to prick the skin and place wheat proteins, others may place a droplet of liquid wheat proteins on the skin.
In most cases, if you have a wheat allergy, you develop a reaction within 15 minutes of exposure.
Blood (IgE) Test
This blood test involves a sample of blood for testing in the laboratory. Doctors will check for antibodies that are often present in a person with wheat allergy. This blood sample is often taken from a vein in the arm. If tests show high levels of IgE antibodies, it may indicate wheat allergy.
Graded Oral Challenge
This test is often performed if previous ones do not give enough clues about the condition. In other words, allergists are not sure whether you have a wheat allergy or not. During this test, the patient eats a small amount of wheat in the doctor’s office. Thereafter, he/she will see if you develop an allergic reaction or not. Sometimes, doctors give more wheat, because it helps see how your body responds. Usually, this test takes 2-4 hours.
Treatment
While this type of allergy cannot be cured, approximately 66% of children outgrow it. One of the best ways to treat wheat allergy symptoms and prevent dangerous complications (such as anaphylaxis) is to avoid foods and drinks that contain wheat. People who have this type of allergy should consider the following exposures. These include:
- Nonfood items – There are some items that may contain wheat. For example, makeup and toiletry items. In any case, the labeling law is not applied to nonfood items, which puts you at risk of developing an allergic reaction. If you are not sure whether a product has wheat or not, go to the manufacturer’s website or call their customer service to get the full list of ingredients.
- Shared equipment – Sometimes, during the manufacturing process, there are items that share equipment or surfaces with wheat. Usually, these products have on their labels “Made on equipment shared with wheat”.
Foods to Avoid
Here are some foods that you should avoid if you have a wheat allergy. For example:
- Baked goods (including cookies, muffins, cakes, and others)
- Bread
- Breakfast cereals
- Hot dogs
- Couscous
- Malted drinks
- Pasta
- Pizza dough
- Seitan
- Wheat flour or beer
Medicines
Healthcare professionals usually prescribe antihistamines or corticosteroids for people with mild to moderate symptoms. If you develop a severe allergic reaction, your doctor may prescribe an Epinephrine injection. This injection acts fast and helps relieve symptoms. Check below some adverse reactions of the Epinephrine injection:
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Fast heart rate
People usually get better within 30 minutes after beginning to administer antihistamines.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I go to the ER?
If you develop symptoms of anaphylaxis, immediately go to the nearest emergency room (ER) or call 911 in the U.S. or the emergency number in your region. These include shortness of breath, fast heart rhythm, and inflammation (swelling).
What is the difference between a wheat allergy and a gluten intolerance?
The difference is that wheat allergy occurs due to the immune system that views wheat as a harmful substance like bacteria or viruses, but gluten intolerance is a response of the digestive system. It means the body cannot digest gluten, which causes sickness. People with a gluten intolerance usually experience the following symptoms. For example, bloating, nausea, and tiredness.
What are the behavioral issues with wheat allergy?
Sometimes, people may develop neurological and behavioral symptoms along with bloating, diarrhea, and pain in the belly. These include mood swings, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and others. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any other questions.
