Wheat Allergy

Also known as: gluten allergy.

What is wheat allergy?

Food allergies are when a person develops allergy antibodies (IgE antibodies) to a protein in a food, and when exposed to this protein it causes an allergic reaction. If a person has an allergic reaction to wheat, or gluten, this is known as wheat allergy.

What causes wheat allergy?

We do not know why certain people develop food allergies and others do not. There are many theories as to why food allergies are becoming more prevalent. For people who have wheat allergy, whenever they are exposed to the protein in wheat, they will have an allergic reaction.

What are the symptoms of wheat allergy?

Possible symptoms of wheat allergy include hives, swelling, wheezing, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping.

What are wheat allergy care options?

The only option at this time is to strictly avoid wheat. Even small amounts of the proteins in wheat that are ingested can cause a severe allergic reaction. When a person has a wheat allergy, they can be allergic to other proteins in wheat besides gluten. Therefore, anyone with a wheat allergy should avoid all products with wheat.

Everyone diagnosed with food allergy should have a food allergy action plan, and carry an auto injectable epinephrine device, as this is the only medication that treats anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction). There is a chance that people can grow out of their food allergies. A board certified allergist can evaluate and determine if these foods can be reintroduced into the diet.


Reviewed by: Amy S Feldman, MD

This page was last updated on: May 12, 2021 10:44 AM