Wheat allergy is one of the common food allergies seen among young kids. Many health research statistics have shown that wheat allergy is seen in two-thirds of children who outgrow this condition by their teenage years. But some of them have been allergic to wheat their whole lives.
Wheat allergies are the type of food allergy where the body fights certain proteins that the immune system fails to perceive as harmful substances. The immune system releases IgE antibodies to attack these proteins and forms a range of allergic responses in the body. Some wheat allergy symptoms can be seen right away, while other symptoms take time to develop, and their effects can be hazardous if they impact multiple systems at the same time.
What involves the occurrence of Wheat Allergy reactions?
Unlike other wheat diseases, such as celiac disease, wheat allergy is not an autoimmune disorder. However, this condition can trigger an immune system response to show allergic reactions on the skin and other parts of the body that are caused by wheat protein consumption. An allergic person's body can show the following reactions:
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Immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergy reaction
When a wheat-allergic person consumes any food items derived from wheat, the body creates immunoglobulin E (IgE), which recognizes the possible danger in some wheat proteins. Subsequently, the body reacts to allergens when IgE antibodies find the allergen sources and release histamine. So, the patient might get symptoms that may involve skin allergic reactions, sneezing, and itching eyes.
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Non-immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergy reaction
When there is no IgE antibody reaction fighting against wheat proteins, the patient's body might take about 48 hours before showing responses. The non-immunoglobulin E-mediated allergy reaction can cause esophageal and stomach lining inflammation. Moreover, it can cause eosinophilic gastritis and eosinophilic esophagitis.
The major causes of Wheat Allergy
There could be various risk factors involved in wheat allergic conditions. But most wheat allergy tests show the two major causes as below:
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Age
Small-age kids run the highest risk of having wheat allergic reactions. It is due to the developing phase of the immunological system and digestive systems. Hence, it's best to introduce a variety of food items in smaller amounts to infants and toddlers to keep track of their food reactions. However, as they grow and pass through a secondary growth phase, they outgrow their allergic reactions.
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Hereditary condition
Wheat allergies may be more common in those who have a family history of food allergies. It can be a hereditary condition if any family member or relative has asthma, other food allergies, or hay fever.
Specific wheat proteins causing the allergic reactions are:
- Albumin
- Gluten
- Gliadin
- Globulin
The key symptoms to recognize wheat allergy triggers
Some of the wheat allergy symptoms can trigger within a few minutes of consuming wheat proteins, and some reactions take a few hours or a few days to show. Here are some of the major symptoms to count on to consider wheat allergic reactions:
- Wheezing, coughing, and nasal congestion are some of the respiratory symptoms seen in the patient. The patient might go under asthmatic conditions.
- There might be gastrointestinal symptoms in wheat allergy symptoms. The reactions may include abdominal pain, bloating, etc. The patient might suffer from diarrhoea and nausea.
- Patients might get blurred vision, confusion, headaches, and dizziness due to neurological system allergic reaction triggers. The patient might get seizures in severe conditions.
- The oropharyngeal symptoms of wheat allergy reaction may include itchiness and inflammation in the tongue and throat.
- The patient may show skin allergic reactions that may include hives, blisters, eczema, etc.
Aslo Read: Diarrhoea Symptoms Causes Treatment Home Remedies
What involves the diagnostic procedures for wheat allergy?
The patient's physician will perform some tests, physical examinations, and medical history analysis to determine whether they have any possibility of wheat allergy. Here are some tests the physician may include:
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Skin Test
Healthcare professionals will apply purified allergen extracts in the skin test. The extracts are applied on the patient's arm or back to monitor if there are any redness or itchiness sensations following the test. Any formation of red patches or itchy bumps can indicate wheat allergy.
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Blood Test
In case the patient is not eligible for skin tests due to skin issues or drug interactions, the physician can conduct a blood test to check for any specific antibodies. They can cause allergies to common wheat protein allergens.
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Food Challenge Test
Diagnostic physicians will monitor for any allergic reaction by offering food that is suspected of causing the allergic reaction. It is often misunderstood with gluten allergy tests in the food test. Although the food might contain gluten, this test is to determine wheat allergy. The gluten allergy diagnostic procedures are different. The physician will progressively increase the food amount to monitor the patient's allergic reaction.
Wheat allergy condition treatment and management
The best treatment procedure for wheat allergy is to manage the condition by monitoring the food. Since wheat is used in many items, it is important to determine the cause of the allergy and find a suitable replacement in order to treat it efficiently. The best substitutes are:
- Suppose gluten or other wheat proteins are causing the allergic reaction. Patients can choose to replace the grain’s food items with oats, barley, and rye. Healthcare professionals can recommend safe grain options that don't contain the wheat protein that triggers allergic reactions.
- The alternative flour options for wheat can be rice flour, soy flour, and potato starch flour to give texture and add nutrients to the diet.
The doctor may prescribe antihistamines and epinephrine for emergency treatment to reduce minor symptoms of wheat allergy.
Final Notes:
Wheat allergies are often coated interchangeably between celiac disease and gluten allergy. Although they are wheat-related disease conditions, they are all different. Learning about wheat allergy causes, symptoms, and treatments will prevent patients from being confused by these misleading terms.
It's crucial for both healthcare professionals and patients to understand the causes of wheat allergy and make a diagnosis to manage the condition effectively and improve quality of life. Agilus Diagnostics avails procedures for wheat allergen tests for its diagnosis with the flexibility of online requesting at the best price. The tests can occur right at home, and Agilus Diagnostics can conveniently give test reports online.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
