A Comprehensive Overview of Wheat Allergy and Gluten Allergy

We often hear that this person has a wheat allergy, another has a gluten allergy, and a third has celiac disease or celiac disease. But did you know that these three cases are different? Learn the difference between them in this article.

What is the difference between wheat allergy and gluten allergy?

Wheat allergy is an allergic reaction that the body experiences when eating wheat or any product containing wheat, and it includes an immune reaction in the body, meaning if we examine the bodies of people with wheat allergy, we will find that they contain antibodies.

As for gluten sensitivity, or more correctly, we call it gluten intolerance , it is the body’s intolerance to the gluten protein , which is found in many types of food, including wheat and barley, but it is not considered an immune reaction. The bodies of infected people do not contain immune bodies.

How do the symptoms of a wheat allergy differ from a gluten allergy?

Wheat allergy causes symptoms similar to those of the body's sensitivity to any substance, while symptoms of gluten intolerance are limited to digestive system problems similar to irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptoms of wheat allergy include:

redness.

Shortness of breath.

Scratching or itching.

Abdominal pain.

Nausea and vomiting.

Headache and dizziness.

Runny and itchy nose.

Redness and watery eyes.

Symptoms of gluten intolerance include:

Flatulence.

Gasses.

Nausea or shortness of breath.

Constipation or diarrhea.

Is gluten sensitivity a cause of celiac disease?

No, gluten sensitivity (or more accurately: gluten intolerance) is much simpler than celiac disease, or so-called celiac disease, as:

Gluten intolerance does not include any immune reaction, so the body does not form antibodies if it suffers from it, while antibodies are found in the bodies of people with celiac disease.

Gluten intolerance does not cause damage or permanent damage to the intestines, whereas celiac disease does.

Gluten intolerance does not involve any genetic disorder, while celiac disease does involve a genetic disorder.

The symptoms of celiac disease are much more severe than gluten intolerance; They can include severe diarrhea, weight loss, severe abdominal pain, inability to gain weight, and a skin rash.

Article summary

Wheat allergy is where the body shows an allergic reaction when eating wheat or any of its products, while gluten intolerance shows symptoms of flatulence and gas when eating gluten. Also, wheat allergy causes an immune reaction and the formation of antibodies in the body, while it does not cause intolerance. Gluten it.