What do I do if my child has a wheat allergy
When a person is allergic to wheat, the body’s immune system, which usually resists infection, reacts poorly to the proteins in the wheat. And if that person eats something made of wheat, his body will explain that these proteins are foreign and harmful substances.
Symptoms of wheat allergy in children
When a child ingests any substances that contain wheat proteins, the body releases a series of chemicals such as histamine. The release of these substances can injure people with some of the following symptoms:
Respiratory wheezing (wheezing).
difficulty breathing.
Coughing.
Hoarseness.
Narrowing in the throat.
stomachache.
vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Eye tears, itching, and/or eye swelling.
Urticaria.
Pimples or red spots appear
Inflammation.
Low blood pressure, which can cause dizziness and/or loss of consciousness.
What do I do if my child has a wheat allergy
Children’s wheat allergic reactions may differ from one another. Sometimes the same person may interact in different ways and at different times. Some of these allergies are mild and affect only the body system, for example, there are spots on the skin. But at other times, allergies are more dangerous with the participation of different parts of the body.
Wheat sensitivity differs from celiac disease
Wheat sensitivity includes an allergic response to proteins in the wheat. Gluten is one of the proteins present in wheat and can lead to allergic reactions. Gluten is also involved in a condition called celiac disease.
It is easy to confuse celiac disease and allergy to wheat, but these are two different situations. In celiac disease, there is no allergic reaction. What happens in this disease is that there is a different response to the immune system that affects the intestine and causes problems in the absorption of food.
While people with wheat allergies usually eat other grains, people with celiac disease cannot eat any food that contains gluten. This protein is found in cereals such as barley, wheat, and oats.
Wheat allergy is a serious and potentially fatal reaction
Wheat allergy can cause an acute allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can initially appear as mild allergic reactions and then worsen quickly and can lead to difficulty breathing and / or loss of consciousness. Left untreated, anaphylaxis can be dangerous and risk life for those affected.
If your child is diagnosed with a life-threatening wheat allergy (or any potentially deadly allergy to any type of food), your pediatrician will provide you with adrenaline injection, as these injections can be used in emergency situations.
self-injectable adrenaline is a prescription drug sold in easy-to-carry containers. It is easy to use. If your child must always have an adrenaline injection by hand, the pediatrician will teach you how to use it.
Children who are old enough to be given an injection can be educated. If they are responsible for carrying adrenaline, the injection should always be within their reach, rather than keeping it in the closet or in an unknown location.
start adrenaline
No matter where your child is, adults who care about him should always know where to start adrenaline, how to get there, and how to manage it. Staff at your child’s study center should know that they have severe food allergies and have a plan of action to follow up on in an emergency. Your child’s rescue medications (such as adrenaline) should be accessible at all times.
If your child starts to have severe allergic symptoms, such as inflammation in the mouth and / or sore throat or breathing difficulties, inject him with adrenaline immediately. Every second makes a difference in the case of anaphylaxis. Then call the emergency number (911 in the USA, 999 in the UK and 112 in the rest of the European Union) or take your child to the emergency department. Your child should be under medical supervision because, although he may seem to feel better, the second episode of allergies or a wave of severe symptoms often occurs.
