It is difficult to imagine a complete diet without products made from wheat flour. However, one person in two hundred has an allergic reaction to wheat. It develops due to the increased sensitivity of the body to wheat protein.

Causes of the disease

Wheat is the most allergenic cereal crop. It consists of specific proteins, which in rare cases cause “inadequate” reactions of the body:

• gliadin;
• Albumin
• globulins.

More than 20 proteins (allergens) were found that provoke the development of allergic sensitivity to wheat in humans. The human body mistakenly perceives these substances as foreign - the immune system provokes antibody proteins, known as immunoglobulin E, that is, an allergy appears.

Proteins of wheat grains are the structural units of gluten, so the reaction to wheat is essentially an allergy to gluten.

Important! Wheat allergy should not be equated with celiac disease: the first disease is associated with an excessive reaction of the immune system to an allergen - a cereal protein, and the second is a genetic disease in which the body does not have an enzyme that breaks down gluten.

In children

In a child, a reaction to wheat can occur during the introduction of complementary foods. After the first use of porridge, the manifestation of the disease becomes noticeable. It is the early start of feeding that can cause allergic reactions, because the child’s body is not yet ready for “adult” food - the enzyme system is not completely formed. Over time, the child’s body can adapt and “outgrow” the food allergy - the clinical manifestations will disappear forever.

In older children, the causes of the manifestation may be:

• violations in the digestive tract;
• liver diseases, in which instead of protein breakdown, it directly enters the blood;
• dysbiosis caused by uncontrolled intake of antibiotics;
• heredity.

Did you know? The phrase “vicious place” comes from the Holy Scriptures, in which the Promised Land is called the land of wheat (bread).

In adults

This ailment has no age restrictions. For the first time, symptoms can occur at any age with the use of various products containing gluten.

Sometimes a healthy adult may experience a specific reaction. So taking sports supplements that contain wheat protein can cause allergies after a long workout.

How does an allergic reaction manifest

In most cases, wheat allergy is mild. However, there are situations when a reaction to a protein can lead to serious consequences, even death (asthma, anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema).

Symptoms develop within a few minutes or hours after consuming a “dangerous” product and can be of varying severity. Manifestations are observed from the digestive and respiratory systems, skin and mucous membranes.

• The most common signs of the disease:
• urticaria, itchy skin rashes;
• dryness and peeling of the skin;
• swelling, itching, burning or irritation of the mouth and throat;
• manifestations from the gastrointestinal tract (nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, bloating, bowel obstruction);
• nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing;
• cough, allergic bronchitis;
• itching in the eyes, lacrimation;
• headaches;
• shortness of breath, bronchospasm.

With repeated vomiting or diarrhea due to allergies, dehydration can quickly develop, general weakness appears, and body temperature rises. In some cases, an allergic reaction provokes a condition called anaphylaxis.

Important! If symptoms of anaphylaxis appear, you must urgently seek medical help.

The main manifestations:

• swelling of the pharynx;
• chest pain or tightness;
• suffocation;
• painful swallowing;
• pallor of the skin;
• dizziness;
• weakness, tremor;
• arrhythmia.

Allergens that cause a reaction

The main way to avoid undesirable manifestations of allergies is to eliminate any “contact” with wheat grains.

Important! In some cases, wheat flour, which is simply inhaled, can provoke an allergy attack. For allergy sufferers, hypersensitivity to pollen of cereal plants is also characteristic.

Wheat proteins can contain not only food, but also a variety of "products" of everyday life:

• cosmetics;
• bath and hair care products;
• plasticine;
• medicines and vitamins;
• pet food.

1- allergen (mast cell); 2- reagins; 3- allergens; 4- allergens associated with reagins; 5- broken granules; 6- secreted histamine

List of Prohibited Products

A gluten-free diet is much stricter than a wheat-only diet. It is necessary to pay attention to the composition of the finished products: they should not be gluten. You should also know what dishes are prepared on the dining table.

Allergic food products:

• all kinds of wheat;
• bakery products;
• breadcrumbs;
• pasta;
• couscous, bulgur, semolina;
• soy, ketchup and other various sauces;
• sausages;
• ice cream, yogurts, curds;
• natural flavors and products containing them;
• starch;
• marmalade, waffles, cakes, sweets;
• crackers;
• beer and other alcoholic beverages from cereals.

Cross allergy

Hypersensitivity to wheat may be combined with an allergy to other cereal crops. Most often, such provocateurs are barley and oat groats.

Did you know? Artist Vincent Van Gogh depicted a wheat field on his canvases more than 10 times.

In addition, a cross-reaction to:

• peanut;
• soy;
• legumes;
• honey;
• Strawberries
• kiwi.

Any "unfamiliar" product should be used with caution, avoiding food experiments.

Prevention and treatment of allergies in adults and children

The most effective allergy prevention in adults and children is the exclusion of contact with products containing the allergen.

To maintain health, you must adhere to certain rules:

1. Completely revise the diet by removing hazardous foods from the menu.
2. Always pre-read labels - ingredients from different manufacturers may vary.
3. Purchase gluten-free foods in specialized stores.
4. Exercise extreme caution in public catering facilities.

A true and false allergic reaction is possible. The first option involves a complete rejection of products containing an allergen. In the second case, the use of a limited number of potentially dangerous products is allowed. When allergy symptoms appear, it is necessary to take antihistamines, which will alleviate the condition and reduce unpleasant manifestations.If the child is allergic, everyone who comes in contact with him (teachers, educators, trainer in the sports section) should be aware of this. It is impossible to choose the right treatment tactics without a thorough diagnosis.

It will also be advisable to prescribe drugs to normalize the digestive system and enterosorbents, which remove allergens and toxins from the body. The main scheme of drug treatment is determined by the doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics and nature of the allergy itself. Do not self-medicate.

Important! Adrenaline is an emergency treatment for anaphylaxis, which must be used before the ambulance arrives.

What can replace wheat flour

If gluten intolerance is observed, you should choose flour from soy, rice or potatoes. If there is no cross-allergy, another variety can replace wheat flour.

It could be flour:

• barley;
• corn;
• rye
• oatmeal.

Despite the fact that food allergies significantly reduce the quality of life, this is not a sentence at all. Compliance with a certain hypoallergenic diet, attentive attitude to your body and self-discipline help maintain good health.