Wheat Allergy Symptoms
Wheat is the staple diet of the Americans and is a major constituent of the major diets of the world. But sadly, wheat is one of the eight common allergies found in food which can also be respiratory as well as contact allergy. The other common food allergens are peanut, milk, fish, eggs, soy and tree nut. It involves hostile reaction to immunoglobulin E antibodies to one or more protein fractions, which includes albumin, globulin, gliadin and glutenin.
Generally, wheat allergy occurs when your immune system reacts with the protein gluten which is usually found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. It is usually a group of proteins which the human digestive system finds a little complicated to digest it. Your immune system develops hypersensitivity to one of the proteins that constitutes a grain of wheat.
However, there is a difference between wheat allergy and wheat intolerance. Wheat intolerance does not involve the immune system and do not cause damage to the body. It is very likely that you might suffer from discomfort and the symptoms that develop are mild and appear for short duration. It is simply the inability to digest the glutens.
Though, there is a more severe gluten intolerance which is referred to as celiac allergy, and unlike wheat allergy it is hereditary. Mostly children are affected by wheat allergy, although some adults also tend to suffer from it.
The symptoms of wheat allergic reaction in hypersensitive individuals may develop in a couple of minutes or a few hours after they have consumed it. This reaction can produce various symptoms such as rashes, runny nose, watery eyes, headaches, hay fever, swollen limbs, digestive problems, sneezing itching, coughing etc.
Other symptoms may include:
1) abdominal pain, diarrhea, foul smelling stools, vomiting
2) depression, irritation, swelling of the mouth or throat
3) Hives, chest pain, dizziness, palpitations.
4) Psoriasis, Eczema, arthritis, anemia, osteoporosis
5) Joint and muscle aches or cramps.
6) Loss of consciousness, tiredness, lethargy
7) Nasal congestion, airway inflammation
8) Severe drop in the blood pressure
9) Rapid pulse, migraines
10) Gastrointestinal symptoms
The symptoms of food allergy range from mild to severe and very rarely cause anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening reaction. And this requires immediate medical attention.
Since the reactions often delay to develop, it is very difficult to identify food allergies. If you develop sensitivity to wheat then you will be allergic to more than one food. It is suggested that those suffering from allergic reaction to wheat should strictly avoid wheat from their diet. They must eliminate wheat from their diet and replace it with rice.
If the person is suffering from wheat intolerance, then after a gap of a month or so, wheat can be reintroduced in their diets so as to increase the immunity of the person. and since there is rarely any food whose constituents does not comprise of wheat, it is very difficult to avoid this allergen. Therefore, it is suggested to read the ingredients of any food before consuming it.
