There is a big difference between having a wheat allergy and being intolerant to wheat. If you are having uncomfortable symptoms that you suspect may be associated to eating wheat products, it is far more likely that you have an intolerance as opposed to an actual allergy.
It is estimated that less than 1% of the population is allergic to wheat whereas over 20% may be intolerant to it.
To determine if you have a wheat allergy it will be necessary to get allergy tests done by a medical practitioner. However there are certain symptoms that commonly arise from a wheat allergy and from an intolerance.
Below I have listed the common symptoms for a person suffering from a wheat allergy as well as common symptoms of a wheat intolerance.
Wheat Allergy Symptoms
- headache
- congestion
- sneezing or runny nose
- coughing
- hay fever
- nausea
- irritation and/or swelling in the mouth or throat
- breathing difficulties
- stomach pains
- rashes
- aches and pains
- swollen limbs
With a severe and chronic wheat allergy you may also experience:
- asthma
- eczema
- arthritis
- migraines
- irritable bowel syndrome
- anaphylaxis
Wheat Intolerance Symptoms
- headaches
- bloating and weight gain
- lack of energy
- digestive problems
- inability to focus
Unfortunately there are no scientific tests that can prove if you are intolerant to wheat so it is often discovered through some trial and error testing which basically means eliminating foods with wheat for a period of time to see how your body reacts.
This is not always an easy process but the benefits in my opinion are totally worth it. View a list of the most common wheat-free diet benefits.
