
Written by Editorial Team
Shifting your baby from breast milk and introducing solids is an important phase in their life. This is the time when as a mother you need to be very cautious of what you are feeding to your baby and observe your baby’s reaction to each and every food you introduce. How common is wheat allergy in babies?
In case your baby is fussing over food and having persistent tummy upsets, it could be a sign of an allergic reaction to certain food. Although cereals are recommended as the best first food for babies, some foods like wheat can cause an allergic reaction in your baby. To know more about the symptoms of wheat allergy in babies, keep on reading.
In This Article
Generally, babies and infants are at a higher risk of developing an allergy to any food than adults. In case there is a family history of allergies or allergic diseases, such as asthma or eczema, and if both parents have allergies, then the babies of such parents are more likely to develop a food allergy than someone with only one parent who has allergies.
Wheat has four types of proteins. These are albumin, gluten, globulin, and gliadin. A wheat allergy occurs when your baby’s immune system considers these proteins as dangerous intruders.
The immune system responds by trying to fight off these invaders by developing antibodies against them. As a result, chemicals like histamine are released into the body causing an allergic reaction. Of the four proteins, Gluten is more often the culprit.
Also read: The 3-day Wait Rule For Babies To Introduce Solids.
Food Allergy | Food Intolerance | ||||||
Relatively uncommon | Much more common | ||||||
The onset of symptoms within a few minutes | The onset of symptoms can delay many hours | ||||||
Food allergy takes place when the immune system mistakes an ingredient in food as harmful invaders and develops antibodies against it | Food intolerance takes place when an ingredient or component in food aggravates the digestive system or if the unable to digest the food properly |
Even though the symptoms are similar, wheat allergy and celiac disease are not the same.
Celiac disease is food intolerance and also an autoimmune disorder that causes discomforts in the small intestine when gluten is consumed. When babies with celiac disease consume gluten, (which is found in wheat, rye, malt, barley, and some oat products) the immune system starts to attack the small intestine.
This damages and diminishes the number of villi. Villi are the little threadlike structure that line and protect the small intestine and stimulate proper absorption of nutrients. Therefore, the reduction in the number of villi can lead to malnutrition, osteoporosis, etc. Celiac disease is common among adults too.
Wheat allergy, on the other hand, is the response of the immune system to one of the proteins found in wheat. This allergy is more common in children than adults. Unlike celiac disease, wheat allergy can potentially bring about reactions that can be life-threatening.
The symptoms of wheat allergy can differ. The same person can have different symptoms at different points in time. Sometimes reactions can be exceptionally mild and affect only one system of the body, like hives on the skin. Other times, reactions can be more severe and involve more than one system of the body like the digestive system and respiratory system together.
Some of the common symptoms of wheat allergy include:
If you notice one or more of these allergic reactions in your baby, it is important that you discuss it with your doctor immediately.
If your baby is suspected to have a wheat allergy then breastfeeding is necessary. Breastfeeding helps to boost the immune system of your baby. By breastfeeding your baby as long as you can, you are increasing his chances of having an allergy-free life.
If your baby is prone to allergies, continuing breastfeeding will ensure that he comes in contact with a potential allergen much later in his life. By this time, the immune system would have matured in your baby and the chances of it reacting normally are high.
If it is confirmed that your baby has a wheat allergy, you need to try and eliminate all the food products containing wheat from his diet. For this, you need to read labels carefully the next time you go grocery shopping. Keep away from common sources of wheat like bread, pasta, cereals, bulgur wheat, gravies, sauces, wheat bran, durum wheat, semolina, rusk, and biscuits
There are many alternatives to wheat substitutes such as potato flour, rice flour, and soy flour. Also, tapioca, arrowroot, barley, oat and buckwheat flour, and corn and sago starch can be used for cooking your baby’s food.
If your baby develops an allergic reaction within 2 to 3 hours of consuming wheat, you need to speak to your doctor immediately.
Did your baby have a wheat allergy? What were its symptoms and how did you deal with it? Do share in it the comments section below.
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