Managing A Severe Food Reaction With Epinephrine
A wheat allergy reaction can cause symptoms that range from mild to life-threatening the severity of each reaction is unpredictable. People who have previously experienced only mild symptoms may suddenly experience a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. In the U.S., food allergy is the leading cause of anaphylaxis outside the hospital setting.
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis, which can occur within seconds or minutes, can worsen quickly and can be deadly. In this type of allergic reaction, exposure to the allergen causes the whole-body release of a flood of chemicals that can lead to lowered blood pressure and narrowed airways, among other serious symptoms.
Once youre diagnosed with a food allergy, your allergist will likely prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector and teach you how to use it. Check the expiration date of your auto-injector, note the expiration date on your calendar and ask your pharmacy about reminder services for prescription renewals.
If you are uncertain whether a reaction warrants epinephrine, use it right away, because the benefits of epinephrine far outweigh the risk that a dose may not have been necessary.
Your allergist will provide you with a written emergency treatment plan that outlines which medications should be administered and when . Be sure that you understand how to properly and promptly use an epinephrine auto-injector.
Foods That May Cause Itching As An Allergic Reaction
Although a wide range of conditions can cause your skin to itch, itchy skin is often a common food allergy symptom.
Food allergies are typically caused by exposure to specific proteins in foods, which the immune system identifies as invaders and produces antibodies to fight against .
Identifying potential allergens in your diet is the best way to avoid adverse symptoms of a food allergy, including itching.
Here are 8 foods that can cause itching as an allergic reaction.
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This allergy is caused by a reaction to soy protein, which is found in many soy-based products like soybeans, edamame, miso, tofu, and tempeh .
Soy allergies can cause several side effects, including atopic dermatitis, which is characterized by itching and inflammation of the skin .
It may also cause other adverse health effects, including swelling, tingling of the mouth, stomach pain, and wheezing.
Although people with a soy allergy should avoid all soy-based products, some processed ingredients like refined soy oil and soy lecithin a food additive can often be safely consumed .
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Soy allergies are caused by an allergic reaction to soy protein and can cause itching and inflammation of the skin, stomach pain, and wheezing.
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Among those with a peanut allergy, specific proteins found in peanuts can trigger an immune response in the body .
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Shellfish allergies are usually caused by a type of protein found in shellfish known as tropomyosin .
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Treatments For Wheat Allergies
Once clinicians confirm your child has a wheat allergy, the first step in treatment is avoiding wheat and any food products that contain it. Some wheat-containing foods are obvious, such as many breads and cereals. But wheat is also used in many foods that aren’t as obvious, including soy sauce, some processed meats, soups, sauces and even ice cream. Some items, such as buckwheat, may seem like they should be avoided but are safe for children with wheat allergies to eat.
Your child’s doctor can give you detailed information on how to read food labels to help identify and avoid potential allergic triggers.
When you learn your child has a wheat allergy you may worry it will severely limit your child’s food options. Your child’s doctor can give you detailed information on how to read food labels to help identify and avoid potential allergic triggers. And CHOP nutritionists can help you find substitute ingredients that allow your child to still enjoy most of their favorite foods and maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
No matter how careful you are, there may be times when your child is accidentally exposed to wheat and has a reaction. When that happens, antihistamines or epinephrine may be used to treat the symptoms.
If your child’s reaction is mild at first antihistamines can ease the symptoms of the food allergy. Antihistamines are available in over-the-counter or prescription strengths. Your child’s doctor can help you decide which option may work best for your child.
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What’s The Difference Between Wheat Allergy And Celiac Disease
An allergy to wheat involves an allergic response to a protein in wheat. Gluten is not one of the wheat proteins that typically causes an allergic reaction. Gluten is involved in a condition called celiac disease.
It’s easy to confuse celiac disease with wheat allergy, but they are very different. Celiac disease does not cause an allergic reaction. With celiac disease, there is a different type of immune system response in the intestines, causing a problem with the absorption of food.
While people with wheat allergy can usually eat other grains, people with celiac disease cannot eat any food containing gluten, which is also found in other grains such as barley, rye, and sometimes oats.
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Mental Or Emotional Issues
Certain proteins in wheat have been scientifically shown to negatively affect your mood and cognitive functioning. Gluten is one of the biggest culprits. Keep in mind that weve told you that if you have gluten intolerance then you have a wheat allergy . These negative effects include but are not limited to mood swings, depression, anxiety, and mental disorders.
As the study of wheat allergies itself, there are a lot of theories about why wheat proteins can put you in a bad mood. Some scientists believe that its an autoimmune response issue. Some say that its because exorphines bind with morphine receptors in the brain.
No matter which theory you come across, there is one common consensus wheat allergies, or rather the lack of control of wheat allergies, cause mental and emotional issues.
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With Or Without Coeliac
Non-coeliac gluten sensitivity is a relatively new medical condition. More studies still need to be conducted to determine the extent of the impact of gluten consumption on various skin conditions. There is, however, a growing number of evidence that individuals who are sensitive to gluten whether diagnosed with coeliac disease or not have a higher risk for different skin problems than those who are not sensitive to it.
The good news is that, while there is no cure for coeliac disease and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity, their symptoms can be managed better with the help of a gluten-free diet.
How Do You Treat Dermatitis Herpetiformis
DH treatment is not just a one-off exercise. It requires a life-long commitment to strictly and completely avoid eating gluten-containing foods â exactly the same as managing celiac disease. However, compared to the intestines’ response to a gluten-free diet with celiac disease, the skinâs response to a gluten-free diet takes a lot longer. In fact, it can take close to 6 months for your skin to show signs of improvement. It can also take another 1-2 years for the body to completely adjust to the gluten-free diet alone.
Initially, in addition to the GFD, it is advisable to use a specific antibacterial medication called dapsone. This tablet must be swallowed and will help to control the symptoms, which will start working within days. Remember however that DH lesions will come back if the drug is not taken before the GFD is in effect. There are a few side effects of dapsone to be aware of too. Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness may occur.
For anyone that cannot tolerate dapsone, other drugs that can be used include sulphapyridine and sulphamethoxypyridazine. Drug treatment will only address the skin itching and blisters. It will not treat any other symptoms, so a GFD is an essential part of the treatment of DH, as it is for anyone with celiac disease.
Note that DH is a skin manifestation of celiac disease. It occurs due to the bodyâs abnormal immune response to gluten and is not connected to non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
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How Does Food Intolerance Cause Hives
Food intolerance allos partially digested proteins to get into your bloodstream. These are actually FOOD TOXINS and as such are not recognised as friendly by your immune system. The immediate response is to set up inflammation in your body:
- Inflammation at the joints causes stiffness and Arthritis
- Inflammation in the lungs or nasal passages: respiratory congestion, Asthma and cough
- Inflammation at the skin can cause Hives, Eczema and Psoriasis
This is how food intolerance can lead to hives! How to stop the inflammation and cure your hives? . . . Reduce the concentration of food toxins in your body by moving to a LOW TOXIN DIET.
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How Can You Diagnose Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Doctors and medical professionals can diagnose DH by obtaining a tiny piece of the skin with a biopsy and closely examining cells underneath the top layer, known as the dermal papillae. Specifically, doctors would be looking for neutrophils and granular deposits of the Immunoglobulin antibody. If doctors find traces of these antibodies, the skin biopsy is positive and the diagnosis of DH is final.
Even though DH is considered âthe celiac disease of the skinâ, 60 percent of people living with DH donât experience diarrhea, constipation or stomach pain but the majority of them will have the same damage to the gut as with celiac disease.
To ensure that the test results are accurate, it is important to eat gluten-based foods until the biopsy is completed. Please be mindful that some patients with DH do not have a positive blood test for celiac disease: the condition however carries the same risks of celiac disease, if untreated.
One of the reasons DH is often misdiagnosed by healthcare professionals is because it shares similar symptoms with other rashes and outbreaks, like an allergic reaction, or skin conditions caused by insect or mosquito bites. It can also be misdiagnosed for another condition, such as herpes , eczema, and hives.
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Gluten Sensitivity Or Intolerance
Gluten intolerance, also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity , is a condition characterized by the adverse response of the body to gluten, a protein found in wheat and some other grains. People with gluten intolerance experience symptoms similar to celiac disease. However, unlike celiac disease, the condition doesnât lead to long-term health effects. It causes only mild discomforting symptoms. The symptoms of gluten intolerance can also resemble those triggered by wheat allergy or irritable bowel syndrome .
It is still not precisely clear what causes gluten intolerance. Some studies indicate that other components of gluten-containing grains may be causing some of the symptoms. Interestingly, there are also no biomarkers or tests to diagnose this condition. Gluten intolerance is diagnosed only after a person tests negative for celiac disease and wheat allergy.
What Are The Causes Of Hives
Hives are commonly caused by anything that your body finds ‘foreign’. This includes some foods – especially those which contain food toxins.
If you have food intolerance but don’t realise – eventually other symptoms will appear. That’s why it’s best to investigate now. Up to three in four people have some type of food sensitivity.
The easiest and safest way to achieve relief is to use a Journal to track changes in your symptoms as you switch a few foods.
Learn more with the Free ebook about Food Toxins
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What Are The Symptoms Of Wheat Allergy
Wheat allergy symptoms are not unlike the allergy symptoms that sensitive people may exhibit while eating shellfish or when stung by a bee. They can present in minutes to hours of eating wheat, depending on the individual. They can include the following:
Often overlooked as a symptom of wheat allergy, dull headaches and itchy, watery eyes can be mistaken for pollen or seasonal allergies. Keeping a food diary can better help isolate the cause.
The symptoms that people most associate with food poisoning or celiac disease can be present in wheat allergy.
Hives are itchy, red welts that occur over the body. Rash is more diffuse. Both may be mistaken for poison ivy or a detergent of fabric softener allergy. Few think wheat when they occur.
Many food allergies feature itchy mouth and throat as a common symptom, as well as numbness or swelling of the tongue.
Anaphylaxis is the most serious of the allergic reactions marked by inability to breathe, chest tightness, a swollen throat and in ability to swallow, dizziness, fast heartbeat and blue skin. It is a medical emergency, and 911 should be called.
When we think of wheat, our thoughts turn to gluten and celiac disease. Still, wheat allergies can be just as severe, and an equally valid reason to limit or stop eating wheat.
Gut And Skin Connection
A recent study found that scratching your itchy skin irritated by eating foods triggers your immune cells in your small intestine. The scratching sets off a gut reaction. This situation is why there may be varied reactions in people with food allergies. Your food allergy can set off atopic dermatitis or stomach problems or both. You may get a skin rash from foods without a stomach reaction, but some researchers suggest that if you have one result, you are prone to the other response. So, what are common food allergy symptoms? Here is a list you may encounter if youre allergic to certain foods:
- sneezing
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Is It Wheat Allergy Or Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is very specific. It is a genetic autoimmune disorder, in which eating gluten causes white blood cells to attack the lining of the small intestine. Over time, this causes poor absorption of nutrients from food, and triggers well over 275 associated symptoms. Celiac disease is diagnosed with a blood screening, and sometimes with a biopsy of the small intestine. The only solution is maintenance of a gluten-free diet for life.
Wheat allergy is a simple immune response to any of the proteins found in wheat. The body triggers antibodies to attack the wheat, and in doing so indirectly causes other signs and symptoms that range from uncomfortable to deadly. Wheat allergy is diagnosed by an allergist, through skin testing. The solution is a wheat-free diet, but gluten from other sources may be tolerated.
Can You Eat A Little Gluten If You Have Dh
Absolutely not. Remember, DH is another form of Celiac disease. The only way to effectively treat Celiac disease is only eating a gluten-free diet.
Check out my crash course on going gluten free.
In Celiac disease, a gluten exposure is likely to cause symptoms for 1-2 days. In DH, a single gluten exposure can cause symptoms for weeks. If youre just starting a gluten-free diet, be patient. You may not notice any change in symptoms for months. To further complicate the issue, your skin may continue to react for more than two years after starting a gluten-free diet. This makes it possible to get flare-ups or outbreaks even without a recent exposure to gluten.
Most individuals get diagnosed with DH in their 30s or 40s. That means the average person has likely consumed wheat products for more than three decades. Be patient it can take a year or more for symptoms to improve. Even though you may still be suffering symptoms, stick to a gluten-free diet for the long term. Eating gluten free is the only cure for DH.
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What Else Should I Know
If allergy testing shows that your child has a wheat allergy, the doctor will give you guidelines on keeping your child safe. Your child must completely avoid products made with wheat. Although most allergic reactions to wheat happen after eating a wheat product, sometimes people can react to raw wheat that they breathe in .
Natural food stores and the health food section in grocery stores usually have safe alternatives, including wheat-free breads, crackers, and breakfast cereals. Also, look for substitute flours made from potato, rice, wheat, barley, oats, and corn. For information on foods to avoid, check sites such as the Food Allergy Research and Education network .
Always read food labels to see if a food contains wheat. Manufacturers of foods sold in the United States must state whether foods contain any of the top eight most common allergens, including wheat. The label should list wheat in the ingredient list or say Contains wheat after the list.
Some foods look OK from the ingredient list, but while being made they can come in contact with wheat. This is called cross-contamination. Look for advisory statements such as May contain wheat,Processed in a facility that also processes wheat, or Manufactured on equipment also used for wheat. Not all companies label for cross-contamination, so if in doubt, call or email the company to be sure.
Other things to keep in mind:
How Is A Wheat Allergy Diagnosed
It is important to get an accurate diagnosis of wheat allergy, so that you can avoid appropriate foods and rule out other conditions such as celiac disease. An allergist will typically diagnose a wheat allergy.
To diagnose a wheat allergy, your allergist will ask you questions about your symptoms and family history to determine whether or not allergies are common in your bloodline.
Because the symptoms of a wheat allergy can overlap with the symptoms of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, your doctor will perform specific diagnostic tests to rule out these conditions and determine that you have wheat allergy. The diagnostic test will either be a skin-prick test, a blood test, or both.
In a skin-prick test, your doctor will inject a small amount of purified wheat protein under the surface of your skin, usually on your forearm or upper back. If the injection site becomes red or swollen, a wheat allergy will be confirmed.
Wheat allergy can also be diagnosed through a blood test. Your doctor will draw a small sample of your blood and test for the specific antibodies that have developed against wheat in your immune system. There is a different blood test that can test specifically for celiac disease.
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