Wheat Allergy

An Overview of What Wheat Allergy Is

Pasta, bread, and batter-fried dishes are three of the most common foods 100% forbidden to people with any form of wheat allergy. While wheat allergies may be manifested through many different symptoms, they are most commonly associated with the three most classic allergy symptoms: eczema, asthma, and anaphylaxis. Wheat is also considered as the main cause of the exercise-dependent anaphylaxis disease, where the combination of physical exertion and an allergen triggers anaphylactic shock. This disease, aside from the others also suspected to be caused by wheat, can be very dangerous; thus, it is very important to know the basic facts about wheat allergies.

While wheat allergy and celiac disease arise from different body processes, they are somehow related in their effects on the patient's lifestyles. People with celiac disease and wheat allergies must strictly get rid of wheat in their diet. It is important to note that people suffering from wheat allergies are sensitive to proteins such as gliadin and glutenin the same way celiac patients are. The bad news about having wheat allergies is that wheat and other grains are pervasive allergens, particularly in the Western diet. Wheat, aside from being a staple dietary grain, is also a hidden allergen especially in arts and crafts and hair products.

Because wheat is one of the most common food allergens in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all food manufacturers to label the presence of wheat on food labels. This may either be found in the ingredient list as wheat or may follow the "contains" after the ingredient list. The term gluten-free is not legally defined in the U.S.; however, a majority of foods in the market with gluten-free indication are considered wheat-free. Therefore, to be absolutely certain, it is recommended that you contact the manufacturer directly to clarify their usage of wheat and or gluten-free status. The gluten-free term is, of course, not found on foods that commonly contain wheat. Some of them are baked goods, unless wheat-free flours are used to prepare them; pasta; batter-fried foods; casseroles, gravies, and other flour-thickened sauces; chili and canned soup; cereal; soy sauce, barbecue sauce, salad dressings, and other condiments; candy especially those with nougat; beer; meatloaf, sausage, and other dishes that use breadcrumbs as a filler.

Proper management of any form of wheat allergy depends mainly on avoiding wheat and other grains and on treating the allergy symptoms properly especially in the event of unintentional exposure. If your doctor advises you to go on medication, be sure to carry your medicine with you. Make sure you follow all the instructions you receive from your allergist for proper wheat allergy management.

Can people diagnosed with wheat allergies eat at restaurants? Yes, they can. Chain restaurants usually include gluten and wheat information on their sites and some even offer gluten- and wheat-free menus. Thus, you don't have to worry much if you have wheat allergies. You can eat at the comfort of your home or dining out without getting worried that your wheat allergy might be triggered. Just be smart, clever, and disciplined to watch your diet.