Wheat Allergy vs Gluten Allergy?

What's the difference?

Wheat Allergy!

Is it different than a gluten allergy?

This is a question that has come up in conversation more than once. As a matter of fact, this was one of the first things I had to research when I realized that I had to start a gluten free diet.

I can imagine that if I had this question, many of you would also have the same question, thus moving me to write this page.

So, let’s get right to it. There are 4 main specific questions that I will tackle:

1) What is a Wheat allergy?

Want to find out what a gluten allergy is, click here.

2) How does it differ from a gluten allergy?

3) What are the symptoms for a wheat allergy?

4) What sort of diet does a wheat allergy require?

What is a Wheat Allergy?

Simply put, it is an allergic reaction to wheat. The whole wheat grain is intolerable to a person’s system. This includes even the gluten. That is why it sometimes gets jumbled in with having a gluten allergy and can lead to misdiagnosis. It, most of the time, starts at a very early age and early testing can help alleviate any further issues that this allergy can wreak on the body.

How does it differ from a gluten allergy?

The main difference, to repeat for emphasis, is that a wheat allergy is an allergic reaction, ranging from mild to severe, to the whole wheat grain, protein and all. And a gluten allergy is an allergic, ranging from mild to severe, to the gluten-or Protein- in wheat, barley, rye and sometimes oats.

A gluten allergy is more extensive in its reaction and can seem more restrictive. It is important that if you suspect having any type of allergy when it comes to food, you ask for specific tests to be taken. For example, you would ask to be tested for a wheat allergy AND a gluten allergy.

What are the symptoms of a wheat allergy?

This is where it can be tricky to figure out if you, in fact, have either allergy. The symptoms can at times be the same to one another.

Primarily though, the main symptoms to look out for, whether mild or severe, are (according to the Mayo Clinic):

Anaphylaxis! It is crucial to know what to do if this presents itself. Again, according to mayoclinic.com, here is what to look out for:

Anaphylaxis
For some people, a wheat allergy may cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis may cause:

•  Swelling or tightness of the throat
•  Chest pain or tightness
•  Severe difficulty breathing
•  Trouble swallowing
•  Pale, blue skin color
•  Dizziness or fainting
•  Fast heartbeat

It is important to take action IMMEDIATELY if you suspect this reaction. Hesitation may take your life.

What kind of diet does a wheat allergy require?

This is really the easiest of the four questions to answer. But it is the HARDEST to apply.

Quite simply, it requires you to have a wheat free/gluten free diet. That would mean removing any wheat products from your diet, even and especially the hidden ingredients.

Thankfully, in the United States and Canada, measures have been taken to further help and protect all those who have these allergies. This has happened with the FDA passing a bill to make sure that food is labeled gluten free. Click here to find out more!

However, having this new bill passed does NOT alleviate us from the responsibility still imposed on each individual to do their homework and still check food labels. Don’t take your health for granted. For us to live a long, healthy life it takes due diligence to help our bodies function to their full capacity and no one else can do that or should do that for you!!!

In review, there are 4 main questions that were answered to help you. Having a full understanding of the differences can save you a lot of money, time and energy in the long run. The reason being is that it helps you refine your search as far as an allergy is concerned.

The sooner that you are able to diagnose and understand the difference between them, the sooner you can get on the path to health and wellness in the truest sense…

Isn’t that worth it?

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May I speak Gluten Freely? > Top of Wheat Allergy