Wheat Gluten Allergy

Wheat gluten allergy is also known as ceoliac disease or celiac disease or gluten intolerance. This is a genetic disorder, which is seen in 1 out of every 133 Americans. It is seen that more and more number of people are being identified with gluten intolerance symptoms. People suffering from this condition have an abnormal immune system reaction to one or more proteins, which are found in wheat. It is said to be one of the different food allergies seen in children. When a person suffers from gluten allergy, the immune system develops a specific antibody to the wheat protein. People suffer from different types of symptoms, caused due to gluten allergy.

Insight into Wheat Gluten Allergy

Symptoms

When a person is allergic to wheat gluten, the person will experience symptoms within a few minutes to a few hours, after consumption of wheat. One of the most common symptom is swelling, itching or irritation of the mouth or the throat. Some people may experience hives, itchy rash, eczema or even swelling on the skin. Nasal congestion, difficulty in breathing are also symptoms of gluten allergy. Itchy and watery eyes are also said to be symptoms of gluten intolerance. Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are also symptoms of celiac disease, which are often seen after a couple of hours of wheat consumption. In severe case of allergy, the person may suffer from anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening reaction to wheat. Along with anaphylaxis, the person can also suffer from swelling or tightness in the throat, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, dizziness, pale and blue skin color, weak pulse, etc.

Test

To analyze the condition, the physician will use a combination of allergy tests along with thorough physical examination. The first measure the doctor will ask the patient to take, is to maintain a food diary. The patient will be expected to write in detail about all that is consumed through the day. Once the doctor has analyzed the diary, the doctor will put the patient on an elimination diet. In such a condition, certain foods will be eliminated from the diet. These are normally the common allergens. Then under the supervision of the doctor, the eliminated food will be brought back into the diet. Tests like food challenge testing, skin test and blood test may be carried out to know the exact food allergen. Food challenge testing may require hospitalization for a few hours, so that the condition of the patient is assessed. In a skin test, a few drops of extracts of wheat proteins may be dropped on to the skin. In case of an allergy, the skin may develop red itchy bump.

Diet

When a person suffers from gluten allergy, it is recommended, that wheat and wheat products be strictly avoided. There are also a number of other food items, which need to be avoided as well. While purchasing any food product from the market, label of the product should be checked, so that food containing gluten is not consumed. At the same time, the person may also have to get himself checked for sprouted gluten intolerance as well. Below is the table, which will help you in gluten allergy diet, as they the gluten allergy foods to avoid.

Bran	Bread crumbs	Bulgur	Cereal extract
Cereal filler	Couscous	Cracker meal	Crackers
Durum	Farina	Gelatinized starch	Gluten
Graham flour	High gluten flour	High protein flour	Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Imitation crabmeat	Kamut	Breads, cookies, cakes, and other baked goods	Many cereals
Modified starch	MSG	Natural flavoring	Pasta
Pizza	Polenta	Seasonings	Seitan (wheat meat substitute)
Semolina	Soy sauce	Spelt	Starch
Thickening agent	Triticale (wheat and rye blend)	Vegetable gum	Vegetable starch
Vital gluten	Wheat bran	Wheat germ	Wheat gluten
Wheat malt	Wheat starch	Whole wheat berries	Whole wheat or enriched flour

When a person is suffering from gluten allergy, certain foods will have to be eliminated from the diet, at least till the allergies disappear totally. The person may have to take pains of finding gluten free foods, but they are certainly available in the market.