What is a Wheat Allergy, and Do You Have one?
Simply put, a wheat allergy is an allergic response to ingesting wheat. Many people assume that it’s one and the same as a gluten allergy or intolerance, which is not always the case. It’s simply an allergic response to wheat only; not necessarily an allergy to the gluten protein present in wheat, and usually not to other gluten grains like couscous and rice.
However, a wheat allergy does closely resemble almost the exact same symptoms and conditions as those from a gluten allergy or intolerance such as:
- Migraine
- Asthma
- Sinusitis
- Constipation
- Psoriasis
- Irritable bowel
- Eczema
- Hay fever
- Abdominal discomfort
- Epilepsy
- Iron-deficiency anemia
- Ear infection
- Depression
- Hives
- Nausea
A wheat allergy also responds relatively close to a gluten allergy treatment and many naturopathic physicians and medical doctors believe that is moderately rare for a wheat allergy to occur without a corresponding gluten allergy, and will usually suggest further food allergy testing for both wheat and gluten intolerances.
Testing for a Wheat Allergy…
Testing for a wheat allergy is very similar to the test for a gluten allergy, and both can generally be diagnosed with a simple blood test; either by blood draw or a simple finger prick test. In Vancouver, wheat allergy test results usually take about two to three weeks to come back.
Once the test results are in, your naturopathic doctor will review the results with you and discuss necessary steps, such as dietary changes and other natural interventions to help reduce your wheat reactions and ease your symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms?
People with a wheat allergy are often described as having an abnormal immune system response to at least one of the components that exist in wheat. So when a person eats a food that contains the component of what they are allergic to, the immune system dispels a mass of chemicals to protect the body from the allergen.
The release of these chemicals can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and cardiovascular system, causing allergy symptoms like wheezing, sneezing, headache, stomachache, hives, and gastrointestinal upset.
Although wheat allergy is one of the most common childhood food allergies, it may also be one of the most commonly missed or misdiagnosed food allergies. An additional issue is that so many supermarket foods and everyday staples contain wheat, making it rather difficult for individuals with this condition to avoid wheat altogether.
Nonetheless, those with a wheat allergy, especially an acute allergy to wheat components, should be aware that simple products like the following, could be a possible source of wheat proteins:
- Breakfast cereals
- Crackers
- Dairy products, such as yogurt and ice cream
- Ice-cream cones
- Meat products, such as hotdogs and deli-meats
- Pretzels
- Soy sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Beer and other alcoholic beverages
Barley, oats, and rye also contain some of the proteins in wheat, which ought to be eliminated from the wheat allergy sufferer’s diet.
Should you be tested?
Our naturopathic doctors offer patients a simple way to test for wheat allergy. Once the results are returned, your naturopathic doctor will develop and implement a specifically targeted and customized health plan to combat wheat intolerances.
Food allergy testing, as we practice it, is firmly established on clinical and scientific evidence. At The Electra Health’s Vancouver Naturopathy Clinic, we use only the most advanced testing processes available to keep you feeling your best.
If you feel that you are a candidate for wheat allergy testing and would like more information on the process, please contact one of our Naturopathic Doctors.
