Excerpted from MayoClinic.com
Wheat is one of the eight most common allergy-causing foods. While wheat allergy most often affects children, it can also occur in adults. Allergy symptoms differ from person to person and generally occur a few minutes to a few hours after wheat’s been ingested.
In some people, allergic reactions occur when exercising after eating wheat or from inhaled flour in the workplace (sometimes called bakers’ asthma).
If you or your child has a reaction to wheat, tell your doctor about it, no matter how mild the reaction may have been. Tests can help confirm a wheat allergy, so you can take steps to avoid future and potentially worse reactions.
There are four different proteins in wheat that can cause allergies: albumin, globulin, gliadin and gluten. If you have a reaction to gluten, which is found in wheat and other grains, such as oats, barley and rye, you may have gluten intolerance or celiac disease, rather than a wheat allergy.
Signs and symptoms of wheat allergy can include:
• Swelling, itching or irritation of the mouth or throat
• Hives or skin irritation
• Nasal congestion
• Airway inflammation
• Gastrointestinal symptoms such as cramps, nausea and vomiting
Some people have a severe reaction to wheat called anaphylaxis. This is a medical emergency and requires treatment with an epinephrine (adrenaline) shot and a trip to the emergency room. Signs and symptoms start within seconds to two hours after eating wheat and can include:
• Constriction of airways, including a swollen throat or a lump in your throat that makes it difficult to breathe
• Shock, with a severe drop in blood pressure
• Rapid pulse
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness
Julian Bakery offers a simple solution for those with a wheat allergy to still enjoy the taste, texture and versatility of breads. Choose from among their long list of wheat free breads: Manna from Heaven, Mama Bear, Dinner, Bean, Bible Recipe, Pure & Simple Kamut, Real Sourdough Rye, Bless Your Heart, Tofu and Spelt Multi-Grain.
Enjoy, Samantha
http://www.julianbakery.com
