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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffWheat allergy is an abnormal immune system reaction to one or more proteins found in wheat. Allergy to wheat is one of the more common food allergies in children. If you or your child has a wheat allergy, the immune system has developed a specific antibody — a disease-fighting agent — to a wheat protein.
Wheat allergy may result in a wide range of symptoms, including hives, difficulty breathing and nausea. Wheat allergy can also cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.
Avoiding wheat is the primary treatment for wheat allergy. Medications may be necessary to manage allergic reactions when you accidentally eat wheat.
Wheat allergy is different from a disorder know as celiac disease, an immune system reaction that causes inflammation in the small intestines when a person eats any food containing gluten, one type of protein found in wheat.
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