Let pain is an odd symptom resulting from a wheat allergy, but if you have arthritis, you may experience significant pain in your legs after eating wheat. According to the Center for Food Allergies, a food allergy can cause increased inflammation in the joints, causing excessive pain in various places in the body commonly affected by arthritis. If you experience leg pain after eating wheat, you should develop other common wheat allergy symptoms. If you exclusively develop leg pain, it may be a sign of another medical condition. Talk with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
Wheat Allergy Cause
A wheat allergy is the result of a hypersensitivity of the immune system. When you eat wheat, your body mistakes the proteins found in wheat as a dangerous substance. The body reacts the same way if a harmful bacteria or virus entered and begins to build a defense. Antibodies are created that specifically attack the wheat proteins, according to MayoClinic.com. The antibodies alert other cells in the body of a possible threat. Mast cells begin to produce histamine to repel the wheat proteins, and they cause allergy symptoms.
Leg Pain Effect
The Center for Food Allergies states that an immune system reaction that releases histamine causes inflammation in the joints. Increased joint inflammation in the legs will lead to extra pressure and stress, triggering arthritis. Leg pain from a wheat allergy is only common among people who suffer from arthritis or other joint inflammation disorders. Leg pain is not a common wheat allergy symptom in a healthy adult.
Considerations
If leg pain develops as a result of a wheat allergy, you will develop other symptoms along with leg pain. Common symptoms that may occur are skin rashes, digestive complications, asthma and nasal congestion. The skin can become irritated and inflamed, triggering hives or eczema. You may develop general skin inflammation and itching as a result of increased histamine in the skin. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may develop, along with shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing.
Diet Modification
If you experience leg pain from a wheat allergy, modify your diet to eliminate wheat. Talk with your doctor before changing your diet to treat a medical condition. According to the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, all food manufacturers are required by law to disclose the use of wheat ingredients on the label of all pre-packaged foods, according to the Food Allergy Initiative.
Treatment
MayoClinic.com states that mild allergy symptoms can be treated with an over-the-counter antihistamine. Leg pain can be treated with pain relievers. If you develop a skin rash, use steroid creams such as hydrocortisone to reduce skin inflammation and itchiness.
