Wheat Allergy

A wheat allergy is uncommon but affects mostly females. Occupational asthma from wheat affects up to 30% of bakers. It is a food allergy that causes the body to react to the proteins found in wheat. Since so many food products out there contain wheat it is very important to read the packaging labels. It is also important to educate yourself about the types of food that contain wheat for when you eat somewhere else. You will need to educate a child with a wheat allergy about the foods to avoid as well. It may be a good idea to send a lunch from home until your child is old enough to do this. The list of foods that contain wheat is unbelievable. Instant hot chocolate mix is a common one that doesn’t get taken into consideration.

Other common foods and drinks that contain wheat include beer, ale, cereals, coffee creamer powders, bread, graham crackers, muffins, donuts, cornbread, instant potatoes, floured meats, and soups. As you can seek, that eliminates a great deal of the food selections out there. To make it easier to eat balanced meals that are nutritious you can cook and bake with a wheat substitutes. This will help keep your wheat allergy under control. Infants and children with a wheat allergy often outgrow it as they get older. Older children and adults who develop a wheat allergy are likely to have it the rest of their lives.

A wheat allergy generally will affect the individual within minutes of consuming the product. Infants can have a wheat allergy as well, and that is another reason why you should only introduce one new food at a time. This way it is very simple to identify the allergic reaction as a wheat allergy. Common symptoms of a wheat allergy include nausea, swelling of the face and lips, cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting. Often someone who is developing a wheat allergy will think they have been exposed to food poisoning and seek medical treatment.

It can be difficult to diagnose a wheat allergy because wheat is in so many products. The doctor will often look for other medical issues and other types of conditions first. Sometimes it takes going to a specialist who is trained to look for such food allergies to make a proper diagnosis. I clinical evaluation and blood tests are often conducted to confirm a wheat allergy diagnosis.

Unlike other types of allergies, a wheat allergy can’t be treated with medication. While it isn’t life threatening, the effects and symptoms of a wheat allergy are enough to put any one through the wringer. It really depends on the severity of your wheat allergy. Some people are fine as long as they only consume low quantities of wheat. Those who have a wheat allergy have to avoid most products that contain wheat in order to life a normal and healthy lifestyle. A dietician can help you plan healthy meals with a variety of foods while helping you control your wheat allergy.