Treating A Wheat Allergy Rash

Have you ever noticed yourself getting stomach cramps after finishing a bowl of pasta or an itchy nose and tight throat after eating a sandwich? You might be one of the 1.3% of people worldwide who experience an allergic reaction to wheat.
Living with a wheat allergy can be challenging. That’s why we’re here to break down everything you need to know about:
- What causes people to be allergic to wheat
- The key wheat allergy symptoms to look out for
- The difference between wheat allergies and celiac disease
- How to manage and treat your wheat allergy
Keep reading to learn more about noticing the signs of a wheat allergy reaction, including a rash, and how best to treat your symptoms safely.
What Causes A Wheat Allergy?
Wheat allergies are caused when your immune system overreacts to the proteins typically found within wheat.
As part of this, your body produces antibodies to attack the wheat protein as if it is a harmful bacteria or virus, triggering adverse symptoms, including respiratory issues, digestive issues, and skin conditions.
Triggers
Wheat is one of the core ingredients in many popular foods, including pasta, bread, hot dogs, breakfast cereals, and cake. But did you know that wheat proteins can also be found in more unlikely places, such as soy sauce, ice cream, and even non-food products such as cosmetics?
In more severe cases, a reaction may also be triggered by inhaling wheat flour, such as while baking.
Who Is Most at Risk of a Wheat Allergy?
Like other food allergies, wheat allergies most typically develop during childhood, with 66% of youngsters growing out of this immune system response as their bodies mature and develop.
People with a family history of food allergies will also be at higher risk of developing an allergic reaction to wheat.
This is the same for people with a family or personal history of eczema or asthma. This is because eczema, asthma, and allergies exist within an ‘atopic triad’ triggered by an overreactive immune system.
What Are the Symptoms Of A Wheat Allergy?
An allergic reaction to wheat protein can range from a mild skin rash to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
That’s why it’s essential to be aware of the diverse ways that wheat allergies manifest to spot the systems early on and find the best treatment plan for you or your loved one.
Some typical symptoms of a wheat allergy include:
- Hives, itchy rash, or skin swelling
- Nausea, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, indigestion
- Stuff, itchy, or runny nose
- Tightness or itchiness in your throat, including wheezing
- Diarrhea
- Watery or swollen eyes
- A drop in blood pressure, causing light-headedness
- Anaphylactic shock is a severe, life-threatening reaction that causes trouble breathing. In extreme cases, this may cause a blue skin color, dizziness and constitutes a medical emergency.
Wheat Allergy Vs. Celiac Disease
So what’s the difference between a wheat allergy, a gluten intolerance, and celiac disease?
Unlike a food allergy, celiac disease is an autoimmune disease (rather than an immune system response) that causes the body to produce antibodies in response to the presence of gluten, resulting in inflammation and damage to the small intestine lining. Due to this, patients may also struggle to absorb the nutrients in their food correctly.
Symptoms of celiac disease include severe diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, and a rash.
Other gastrointestinal symptoms that mimic a wheat allergy may be caused by non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Unlike wheat allergies, gluten sensitivity is a digestive issue unrelated to the immune system.
Wheat Allergy Management
As we’ve seen, wheat allergies can be severe, but that’s not to say that this condition cannot be safely and effectively managed.
Diagnosis
For many people, one of the first steps towards feeling better is to seek a diagnosis for your suspected wheat allergy. A typical part of the wheat allergy diagnosis process is to undergo a skin prick test, where your doctor may prick your skin with tiny drops of purified allergen extract, including wheat protein, to see how your immune system reacts.
Food Challenge
Following diagnosis, your doctor may recommend you avoid wheat proteins in your diet, temporarily refraining from eating foods that contain wheat. Over time it may be possible to reintroduce these foods again once your immune system has had time to recover.
Keeping a food diary, getting into the habit of avoiding packaged foods, and regularly checking food labels help you to regain a sense of control over your allergic reactions and to find peace of mind.
Medications
Some people will take antihistamines or steroids to help manage severe reactions. In the case of life-threatening anaphylaxis, your doctor will also likely prescribe epinephrine (adrenaline) shots to reduce the body’s allergic response.
Natural Treatments for Wheat Allergy Skin Rash
As with hay fever, other common symptoms of wheat allergies may include changes in your skin condition, such as breaking out in hives, an itchy rash, or the development of dry skin. If this is the case for you, don’t fret! We’ve got some natural treatment options for you.
Moisturise
The Baby & Adult Soother has been designed using the highest quality Chinese herbs to provide calming relief for dry and itchy skin, free from colorants, artificial fragrances, preservatives, and chemicals. Rub directly onto your skin’s affected area or melt down to create a creamy balm.
For more natural skincare solutions, check out this collection of emollients made for dry, itchy eczema and irritation.
Anti-Itch Clothing
To avoid further irritation and give your skin a chance to heal, we recommend switching to hypoallergenic clothing, such as the Remedywear™ range. These breathable garments are made from a unique blend of fibers embedded with zinc oxide, the same active ingredient in anti-itch soothing calamine lotion.
Try the Remedywear™ Long Sleeve Shirt (for Adults and Kids) and the Remedywear™ Pant (for Adults and Kids) for full-body relief from skin rashes triggered by a wheat allergy.
Combat Your Wheat Allergy Today
Follow these tips and tricks to help you recognize the signs of a wheat allergy in yourself or your loved one, taking control of your symptoms today.
FROM: Allergies, Eczema, Food Allergies