Most food allergies are caused by proteins in food, not carbohydrates. According to ABC News, meat allergies are an exception to the norm. Some meat allergies are not caused by a reaction to the proteins in the meat but rather the carbohydrates. Another possible cause of an allergic reaction from eating carbs is a grain allergy, most commonly an allergy to wheat. If you notice that most of your symptoms are related to your digestive system, the adverse reactions may be the result of food intolerance and not an allergy. An allergist is the most qualified medical professional that can diagnose your condition.
Meat Allergy
Allergic reactions to the carbs in meats are still being researched for clarity, but people who are allergic to meat have a hypersensitivity to the carbohydrates in the meat. When you ingest meat, your immune system accidentally reacts to the carbohydrates as if they are going to harm the body. The immune system protects the body by releasing antibodies, which triggers the creation of the various other chemicals, leading to common allergy symptoms. Another major difference with meat allergies is that symptoms tend to take a few hours to develop, while other food allergies cause symptoms almost immediately.
Grain Allergy
You may not have an allergy to carbs directly but you may be allergic to the proteins in the grains that contain the carbs. For example, wheat is a carb-rich grain that is considered one of the most common food allergies. Wheat contains various proteins that may trigger an allergic reaction. Common grains that can trigger an allergic reaction include wheat, barely, rye, corn and oats. To identify the cause of your allergy, you need to participate in allergy testing. A patch test performed by an allergist will provide a clinical diagnosis for your condition.
Intolerance Consideration
Celiac disease is commonly confused with a wheat or grain allergy because the two conditions can cause similar symptoms after consuming foods that are high in carbs. Most carbohydrate-rich foods contain gluten, a protein found in various grains. If you have celiac disease, your immune system causes harm to the protective lining of your intestines when you eat gluten, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The reason your immune system reacts this way is still unclear but is most likely genetic.
Treatment
Treating any food-related allergy is most effectively accomplished through a clinical diagnosis and avoidance of the foods that cause an allergic reaction. Eating foods that you're allergic to can lead to serious life-threatening complications.
