Getting To Know Gluten Allergies, From Mild Symptoms To Serious Impacts

Illustration of gluten allergies. (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Recently, the topic of gluten allergies has become widely discussed after the case of a consumer whose child has a rash and severe swelling due to a bread product that turns out to contain gluten.

Even though the product is claimed to be gluten, milk, and sugar free. After laboratory examination, it is known that the bread sold by the shop contains gluten and milk, although it is said to be safe for allergies.

Cases like this show how important it is to understand what gluten allergies are, how the symptoms are, and how to recognize them from an early age.

Reporting from the Cleveland Clinic page, gluten allergies occur when the body overreacts to gluten, namely proteins found in wheat, jelai (barley), and black wheat (rye).

When a person with a gluten allergy eats foods that contain this protein, the body's immune system considers gluten as a harmful substance and releases histamina. This substance causes allergic reactions such as itching, rash, or shortness of breath.

Unlike gluten intolerance (which causes digestive disorders) or celiac (automatic illness), gluten allergies can cause a quick reaction and sometimes severe enough, which risks causing anaphylaxis, namely a life-threatening severe allergic reaction.

Symptoms

Signs of gluten allergies can appear in a matter of minutes to a few hours after consuming gluten. The reaction can be mild to severe, depending on the condition of each body. The following are some of the common symptoms:

1. Reaction to the Skin

- There appears a red rash or bidurish-like bentol.

- Itching after eating wheat foods.

- Sometimes accompanied by swelling in the face, lips, or eyelids.

2. Respiratory Disorder

- Nose stuffy or runny after eating gluten.

- Breath, cough, or shortness of breath.

- In severe cases it can cause anaphylaxis which is characterized by difficulty breathing and blood pressure drops.

3. Digestive Disorder

- Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain.

- Stomach feels bloating or uncomfortable.

- Diarrhea after eating foods that contain wheat.

4. General Reaction of the Body

- Lemas, dizziness, or heart palpitation.

- Swelling in the tongue or throat.

- In extreme cases, it can cause loss of consciousness.

Causes of gluten allergies due to the immune system react to gluten proteins. Gluten allergies are reactive and fast, while gluten intolerance is more to digestive disorders without immune reactions.

When Should I Go To A Doctor?

Immediately check with a doctor or allergy expert if you experience:

- Itching after eating bread, cake, or pasta.

- Nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath after eating wheat foods.

- Heavy reactions such as swelling in the throat, difficulty breathing, or fainting.

Doctors can do skin allergies or blood tests to determine whether the body is really allergic to gluten or other proteins in wheat.

How To Overcome And Prevent Gluten Allergies

There is currently no cure that can cure completely gluten allergies. The best way to avoid a reaction is not to eat foods that contain gluten. Several steps that can help include:

- Read the food label carefully before buying.

- Avoid bread, cakes, pasta, and processed foods from wheat, wheat, or black wheat.

- Choose gluten-free alternatives such as rice, cassava, potatoes, rice flour, or corn flour.

- Cook your own food to make it safer.

- Consult with doctors regarding the use of antihistamin drugs if mild reactions appear.

- If you have had a severe reaction, the doctor may suggest bringing the autoinjector's epinephrine to an emergency.