Wheat Allergy
Of the three topics dealt with on this website (wheat intolerance, wheat allergy and celiac/gluten intolerance), wheat allergy is probably the least common. Everyone knows about celiac now, and a substantial number of people suffer from wheat intolerance, whether they know it or not!
What is a wheat allergy?
Wheat allergies are triggered by the body's immune system response to one (or more) of the proteins found in wheat. This most typically manifests itself in the form of hives, asthma, and nausea. In some severe cases, it can result in anaphylactic shock--a life-threatening condition that requires emergency medical attention. Those with wheat allergies must be particularly careful of grains that might be safe for those with wheat intolerances; depending on the specific form of the allergy, you may also be susceptible to an allergic reaction from alternative grains such as spelt, rye, and Kamut.
How can I know if I have a wheat allergy?
Like celiac, and unlike wheat intolerance, tests are available. This is great news, because you can receive a definitive answer from your doctor or allergist as to whether or not you suffer from this disease. Typically, a skin prick or blood test is all that is required to test for a wheat allergy, unlike celiac which also requires an invasive endoscopy and biopsy. If the tests are negative and neither a wheat allergy nor celiac can explain your stomach problems, it's quite possible that you instead suffer from a "mere" wheat intolerance.
How will a wheat allergy affect my lifestyle?
You will have to cut out wheat entirely for your diet. With the possibility of severe symptoms such as anaphylaxis, there is no room for error in your diet. Exposure from incidental contact or cross-contamination is enough to trigger an allergy, and your body may grow even more susceptible to small triggers after you've removed wheat from your diet. In our discussion of wheat intolerance, we mention that wheat can still be consumed, albeit with consequences--but that the consequences are merely comfort-related and do not affect one's long-term health. In the case of a wheat allergy however, one must remove wheat from their diet completely and forever, just as a celiac must with gluten.
So what now?
First, talk to your doctors. Your primary care physician, an allergist, and a gastroenterologist should all be part of the equation. If you receive a diagnosis of having wheat allergy, you should continue to consult with your doctors as well as a dietitian to develop a plan to remove wheat from your diet. After an adjustment period, you will find that your life will be healthier than ever before. Bookmark Wheatarded.com and come back regularly for help and advice for living a healthy, wheat-free lifestyle!
Resources
Wheat allergy at Wikipedia
Wheat allergy at MayoClinic.com
Wheat allergy at Wheat-free.org
Wheat allergies at About.com
Living with a wheat allergy at WebMD.com
Tips for managing a wheat allergy at FoodAllergy.org
Wheat allergy diet at University of Virginia