A large number of people suffer from wheat allergy, which causes them a lot of problems and disturbing symptoms in the digestive system, and it can also threaten their lives after eating wheat or inhaling its flour.
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| Wheat allergy test and foods to avoid |
That is why we will focus more in this article on dangerous wheat allergy, its symptoms and treatment.
wheat allergy
Wheat allergy is an allergic reaction that occurs to the body after eating foods that contain wheat, in addition to the occurrence of an allergic reaction after inhaling wheat flour sometimes.
Staying away from eating wheat is considered the primary and first treatment for wheat allergy, but medicines have an important role, especially after eating foods that are not suspected of wheat in their ingredients, such as ice cream and sausages, and here medicines are necessary.
But if a person has a wheat allergy, then the immune system produces anti-viral substances that attack and destroy the cilia, thus not absorbing food, resulting in a severe deficiency of vitamins important to the body.
There are four types of wheat proteins that cause allergic reactions: globulin, gluten, gliadin, and albumin.
Sometimes people may confuse the distinction between wheat allergy and digestive disorders (internal disease), as digestive disorders occur after the gluten protein in wheat causes reactions in the immune system, As for wheat allergy, it occurs after the immune system produces antibodies that attack the components and proteins contained within the wheat.
Wheat allergy symptoms
Symptoms of wheat allergy appear on young and old after eating wheat or a product that contains wheat, within minutes to several hours, and the symptoms and signs are:
- Headache or headache.
- Breathing difficulty.
- Swelling, itching and redness of the skin.
- Nasal congestion.
- Urticaria, or urticaria, is a rash that causes itching, swelling, tingling and pain.
- Irritation and itching in the throat and mouth.
- Redness and itching in the eye.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Severe and dangerous allergies, or what is called an allergy (anaphylaxis).
In addition to wheat allergy, the patient may also be allergic to oats and barley.
Anaphylaxis or anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis affects some people with wheat allergy, and this allergy poses a great danger to the patient and may threaten his life, which requires going to the hospital immediately.
In addition to the above symptoms, there are other symptoms and signs, which are:
- difficulty swallowing.
- Severe shortness of breath.
- Throat swelling.
- Skin irritation and change in color to blue.
- Fainting and loss of consciousness.
- Chest pain.
wheat allergy test
In addition to the physical examination and the doctor asking the patient about his medical history and the symptoms that appear on him, several tests are then done to confirm the incidence of wheat allergy, which are:
- Skin examination: the doctor puts a little wheat extract under the surface of the skin by syringe, and then if the skin becomes red with swelling and swelling, then the person is allergic, If the skin color does not change, there is no injury.
- Eating wheat: The doctor asks you to eat a small amount of food that contains wheat or drink a capsule containing wheat extract, under the supervision of the doctor to monitor the emergence of any symptoms that confirm wheat allergy or not.
- Blood test: A blood sample is drawn for a laboratory test to detect the presence of antibodies caused by allergens such as wheat protein.
Factors that increase the risk of celiac disease
- Genetic factor: Heredity increases the incidence of wheat allergy in a person, especially if one or both parents suffer from a type of allergy such as asthma and food allergy, then the incidence of celiac disease becomes greater.
- Age: Children and infants are the most vulnerable group to wheat allergy, due to the incomplete development of their immune and digestive systems. It is rare for children to recover from this allergy by the age of sixteen, But adults can also get it in the form of spring allergy or grass pollen.
wheat allergy treatment
The main treatment for wheat allergy is to avoid foods that contain wheat in the first place, and carefully read the ingredients before eating any type of food to ensure that it is free of wheat extract, However, if necessary, medications are taken if wheat-containing products were mistakenly taken.
pharmaceutical:
- An antihistamine that calms the body and prevents unpleasant symptoms after eating wheat products.
- Epinephrine (adrenaline) and this drug is given to cases of hypersensitivity or what is called anaphylaxis, and for this the person must carry two or three doses of the drug with him in emergency cases to protect against severe danger and stop the pain.
- Dietary supplement to compensate for the lack of vitamins in the body.
- Bronchodilator injection, this is under the supervision of a doctor and when necessary.
- You must tell those around you that you or your son has celiac disease, in order to take the necessary measures in terms of food care or symptoms.
- When buying foods, be sure to read the ingredients carefully, and make sure that there is no gluten protein in the contents.
- Wear a permanent bracelet on your hand that indicates that you have a wheat allergy, especially if you experience a severe allergic attack, in order to alert the doctors of your disease.
Foods that contain wheat proteins
It is clear that bread contains wheat and this is easy to notice, but wheat proteins may enter the ingredients of many foods that are not noticeable, such as ice cream and soy sauce, Even gluten protein is included in many foods in addition to its presence in cosmetics and toiletries, so be careful before eating or touching anything.
Here are some foods that may contain wheat proteins:
- the bread.
- couscous.
- the pasta.
- Breakfast Cereal.
- semolina.
- bulgur
- Cakes and cake.
- Dairy products such as ice cream.
- cookies.
- ketchup.
- Hot dog.
Can wheat allergy be cured?
Unfortunately, this disease is considered a chronic disease that remains life-long and is difficult to cure, so all foods must be monitored before eating to avoid exposure to a life-threatening allergy.
Read: Allergic rhinitis and its treatment