Wheat allergies

Allergies are common and can be very uncomfortable to deal with. On occasion, allergies are severe enough to be fatal, but this is rare. Wheat allergies come in a few forms. A wheat allergy is also known as wheat hypersensitivity. Its most common form is as a food allergy, but can also be a respiratory or contact allergy resulting from occupational exposure.

No matter what kind of allergy it is, wheat allergies are due to the same biological and immune response other allergies are due to. Like all allergies wheat allergy involves the antibody IgE and a mast cell response. Basically what happens is the body recognizes the wheat protein as an invader, and produces IgE as a protective response to this protein. Then, IgE stimulates the mast cells and tells them to respond. They protect the body with histamines, which result in the symptoms of the wheat allergy. The symptoms vary based on the type of wheat allergy you have. If it is a contact allergy your symptoms will probably manifest on the skin in the form of a rash or hives. If it is a food allergy the symptoms will generally manifest in the digestion tract, including swelling of the mouth, diahhrea, cramping, etc.

Typically the wheat allergy is limited to the seed storage proteins of wheat. However, while most reactions are restricted to wheat proteins, others can react across many varieties of seeds and other plant tissues.

The fact is that calling this allergy a "wheat allergy" is a bit of a mistake because that encompasses several different allergies to many different parts of the wheat. There are many allergenic components in wheat, for example serine proteinase inhibitors, glutelins and prolamins and different responses are often attributed to the different proteins.

The most severe response to wheat is induced when you exercise or take aspirin. This is called anaphylaxis, and when it is caused by a wheat allergy it is attributed to one omega gliadin that is a relative of the protein that causes Coeliac disease.

More common symptoms of wheat allergies, are skin reactions like urticaria, and atopy, or nausea.

So, now that we understand the basics of a wheat allergy, let's take a look at some of the specifics of wheat allergies.

What causes allergies to wheat?

There are four different proteins in wheat that can cause allergies. These are: albumin, globulin, gliadin and gluten. Gluten allergies can be a category of their own, if you have a reaction to gluten you are going to be allergic to more than just wheat. Glute is found in wheat and other grains such as oats, barley and rye. It is also important to note that an allergic reaction to gluten when you eat wheat may not actually be a wheat allergy as much as it is gluten intolerance. This is a more serious problem, and should be discussed with your doctor.

What are the signs and symptoms of a wheat allergy?

Signs and symptoms of wheat allergy are much the same as the signs and symptoms of all other allergies, and 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

How can I tell if I have a wheat allergy?

Well, because allergy symptoms differ from person to person we can't say that if you experience this or that then you most certainly have a wheat allergy, but we can say that symptoms generally occur a few minutes to a few hours after wheat's been ingested. So, if this happens to you, then talk to your doctor or see an allergist for further testing. In some people, allergic reactions occur if they exercise after eating wheat. In some cases, people react from inhaling flour, usually in the workplace. This is sometimes called bakers' asthma. And, as mentioned previously, 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.

If you are allergic to wheat, the first signs and symptoms you will see, and those that start within seconds to an hour or so of eating wheat are a constriction of airways, including a swollen throat or a lump in your throat that makes it difficult to breathe, possibly going into shock, with a severe drop in blood pressure, a more rapid pulse, or something not as bad like dizziness, lightheadedness or in some cases even loss of consciousness.

If you find that you are experiencing any of these symptoms it might be wise to be tested for this allergy as it can be very serious, especially if it is a gluten intolerance, not just a wheat allergy.

Gluten in general is hard for humans to digest. The group of proteins called gliadin is thought to do most of the damage to the intestinal lining. Glutenins are another group of proteins found in gluten and has been thought to be associated with autoimmune skin diseases and asthma, and may be the cause of symptoms similar to these. Gluten proteins are extremely resistant to intestinal digestion, despite grinding, cooking, processing and digestion, so you are not abnormal or weird if you have a wheat allergy.

The reason many people are allergic to wheat is because of the damage gluten auses the intestinal lining by eroding the villi and microvilli. These are essential for digestion and absorption processes. So, if they are damaged, then your likelihood of having protein from gluten pass into your bloodstream is high because they do not get digested all the way. This then causes the immune system reaction that is your allergy. Once an immune response has been initiated, inflammatory reactions can cause a whole host of wheat allergy symptoms.

While gluten is in other grains as well, the reason there is a wheat allergy is that wheat is more likely to cause an allergic reaction than any other grain. Modern wheat has been developed to contain higher gluten levels. These higher levels are hard on the immune system, so there is a good chance that even if you were not allergic to wheat in the past that you might develop an allergy.

So what can you do if you are allergic to wheat?

Wheat is a big part of most American's diet, so while if you are allergic to any wheat protein, the best method of treatment is strictly avoiding wheat and wheat products, it is not something people find easy. It is important to note that avoidance is the only way to prevent a reaction, which can include stomach upset, eczema, hay fever, asthma and even anaphylaxis. Another important thing to note is that there are a lot of products out there that have wheat in them that you never would have guessed do.

With so many products containing wheat, what should you do if you suffer a wheat allergy?

You can talk to a registered dietician and have them help you come up with a diet, or food plan that is satisfying and delicious but that does not contain wheat.

You will want to always check the label ingredients before you use a product. Many processed foods, including ice cream and ketchup, can contain wheat flour. Not every product stays the same through time, so be sure to check the label each time you use the product, or replace it as manufacturers occasionally change recipes.

Make a list of foods you enjoy that do not contain wheat, and keep a list of things to avoid so that it is easier for you to make decisions.

Let others you spend time with know about your allergy so that they can be conscious about it and not invite you to dinner, or something that has wheat in it.

Of course, avoiding wheat completely can be extremely difficult, so it is also good to know that 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. Talk to your doctor or allergist about what they recommend based on your severity of reaction.

We have to know that in reality, despite your best efforts, you may still come into contact with wheat. So, carry some medication with you at all times so that you are not caught in discomfort. If you have a serious allergic reaction, you may need an emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) and a trip to the emergency room. Your allergist and you can discuss whether or not you need to carry injectable epinephrine (such as EpiPen) with you at all times, and how to use it. It is a good idea to wear an alert bracelet if you are allergic to wheat.