Wheat bread contains three of the seven most highly allergic foods: wheat, eggs and dairy, according to MedlinePlus. If you only experience allergy-like symptoms after eating wheat bread, you need to see an allergist to determine the source of the allergy. If you suspect that you're allergic to wheat bread, your doctor may recommend allergy testing to properly determine which ingredients are causing the reaction. Symptoms can develop within minutes after eating wheat bread and can be mild to severe. Food allergies are incurable, but they can be managed through diet.
Food Allergy
A food allergy is a hypersensitivity of the immune system to certain proteins found in foods. The most common foods that cause an allergic reaction include soy, dairy, eggs, wheat, fish, nuts and peanuts. When you ingest a food that you're allergic to, your immune system mistakes the proteins in that food as unsafe and begins to attack them with antibodies. The production of antibodies causes certain cells in the body to create histamine, the chemical responsible for most food allergy symptoms, according to MedlinePlus.
Symptoms
After eating wheat bread, you will develop symptoms within the first hour. The most common symptoms include nasal congestion; itchy, watery eyes; swelling and itching around the mouth; hives; difficulty breathing; nausea; vomiting; cramping; and diarrhea. In rare cases, you can develop a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This condition could be deadly and will require emergency medical attention. Anaphylaxis symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, trouble swallowing, pale or bluish colored skin, chest pain, and a weak pulse.
Elimination Diet
Because wheat bread contains various ingredients that may be causing the allergic reaction, your doctor may recommend an elimination diet. An elimination diet is intended to identify the foods that are triggering allergy symptoms. AskDrSears.com recommends removing all suspected food allergens, such as eggs, wheat and diary from your diet for up to two weeks. Each food is reintroduced one at a time in small amounts. Document what food you eat, how much of it you eat and how it affects your body. Report your findings to your doctor and determine if further testing is needed.
Testing
In order to properly diagnose a specific food allergy, you will need to undergo allergy testing. Allergy tests use small amounts of specific food proteins that are injected under the skin and in your blood to determine if your body creates IgE antibodies and develops inflammation, explains the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. If you test positive for a specific allergy, your doctor will recommend eliminating that food from your diet.
Member Comments