Joint pain is not a common symptom of a wheat allergy, but it can be related. If you're predisposed to joint complications, a wheat allergy can cause inflammation in your joints, causing pain. Joint pain may be a symptom of various medical conditions and needs to be evaluated by your doctor. If you develop joint pain every time you eat wheat products, avoid wheat until you can be seen by a physician.
Identification
Wheat is one of the most common foods that cause an allergic reaction in humans. The allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to certain proteins found wheat, such as gluten. When you eat a product that contains wheat, your immune system mistakes the proteins for a dangerous substance. The body builds a protection against the wheat proteins with IgE antibodies, or immunoglobulin E, and histamine. Both chemicals in the body attempt to fight off the allergen and cause inflammation throughout the body.
Allergic Reaction
Any immune reaction in the body that causes soft tissue inflammation can cause joint pain. The increased levels of histamine in the joints leads to swelling, which causes pain. Joint pain from a wheat allergy may not develop until hours after you ingest the food. The most effective way to treat and prevent wheat allergy symptoms is to avoid consuming products that contain wheat. Talk with your doctor before modifying your diet.
Other Symptoms
Along with joint pain, you will develop other common symptoms of a wheat allergy. These may include respiratory, digestive or skin complications. Respiratory symptoms include nasal congestion, sinus pain, eye irritation, wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness and coughing. Digestive symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, cramping, gas, bloating and stomach pain. The skin can also become inflamed and irritated, leading to eczema or hives.
Treatment
Treat joint pain from a wheat allergy by avoiding foods and products that contain wheat. Read labels on all packaged foods to identify wheat ingredients. If you accidentally consume wheat, you can take an antihistamine to reduce the amount of histamine in the body and a pain reliever to reduce joint pain.
