Depression is not considered a common symptom of a wheat allergy, although as with any medical condition with unpleasant symptoms, depression may be a result. A wheat allergy is easily confused with celiac disease, an intolerance towards gluten, and needs to be diagnosed by a medical professional, according to MayoClinic.com. If you have a known allergy to wheat, you have a 20 percent chance of developing an allergic reaction to other grains, according to the Food Allergy Initiative. If you are feeling depressed, you should talk with your doctor or mental health professional. Wheat allergy symptoms are avoidable through diet modification.
Wheat Allergy
Most wheat allergies are found in children and outgrown before adulthood, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. If you're allergic to wheat, your body identifies the proteins in wheat as an invader and reacts to them as it would to a harmful substance. The body attempts to fight off the wheat proteins by creating antibodies, histamine and other chemicals that ward off infection and disease. The increased amount of these chemicals in the body causes wheat allergy symptoms.
Symptoms
Depression is not a symptom of a wheat allergy, but if you feel depressed because of adverse reactions to wheat, you need to talk with your doctor for a diagnosis. All symptoms are manageable through avoiding the consumption of foods that contain wheat. Common symptoms from a wheat allergy include shortness of breath, trouble breathing, chest pain, wheezing, gas, diarrhea, bloating, cramping, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, sinus congestion, sneezing, eye irritation, skin rashes, eczema and hives, according to MayoClinic.com.
Avoidance
Avoiding the consumption of products that contain wheat can prevent the development of wheat allergy symptoms. Common foods and ingredients that contain wheat include bread, crackers, baked goods, cereals, spelt, kamut, farina, flour, vital wheat gluten and triticale, according to the Food Allergy Initiative. Wheat is commonly found in fried foods, breaded foods, candy, hot dogs, ice cream, salad dressing, soups and soy sauce. The federal government requires food manufacturers disclose the use of wheat in a packaged food.
Substitution
If you're diagnosed with a wheat allergy, you can use substitution flours that do not contain any wheat. The most common substitution flours include arrowroot, amaranth, buckwheat, oat, potato, rice, quinoa flour, soybean and tapioca flour. If you develop common allergy symptoms after using any of these flours, talk with your doctor.
