Could You or Your Child Have a Wheat Allergy?

You may have heard talk lately about such things as gluten allergies, wheat allergies or Celiac disease.  It seems more and more people are being diagnosed with these types of allergies, and you might be wondering what they are exactly.

First, a definition might be in order.  A wheat allergy is a reaction of the immune system to proteins that are found in wheat. Essentially, when someone has this type of allergy, the immune system has developed an antibody to wheat protein.  A wheat allergy is actually one of the more common food allergies found in children.

It is important to distinguish that a wheat allergy is different from having celiac disease, which is an immune system reaction to any food that has gluten, which is one type of protein found in wheat.

What are the symptoms of a wheat allergy?  They include difficulty breathing, diarrhea, watery or itchy eyes, nasal congestion, nausea or vomiting, cramps, hives or itchy skin, itching or swelling of the throat or mouth or anaphylaxis.  This last symptom can be life-threatening, as it often causes severe breathing difficulty, swelling of the throat, dizziness, trouble swallowing and a weak pulse.

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency, and it requires immediate care. It is a good idea for someone who knows that they are more likely to have an anaphylactic reaction to wheat to carry injectable doses of epinephrine (the drug form of adrenaline which increases the heart rate).

Interestingly, while wheat allergies often begin in childhood, they are not always lifelong. Often, a child will outgrow it between the ages of 3 and 5.  If you think that you or your child has a wheat allergy, it is important to see your doctor. Many different conditions can cause the same symptoms that are seen with a wheat allergy, so it is important to get an accurate diagnosis.