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Wheat Allergy Remedies

Those with wheat allergies can experience minor to extreme reactions upon ingesting wheat products, including shortness of breath, hives and asthma. More severe reactions include anaphylactic shock, which can lead to death if not treated. Follow these natural and medical remedies to help curb your wheat allergy.

  1. Avoid Wheat

    • First, the obvious: Avoid wheat products if you are allergic to wheat. Stay away from breads, muffins, beer, coffee substitutes, pasta, modified food starch and diary products, soy sauce and other products directly or indirectly made from wheat proteins. Watch for wheat by-products, which can come in many forms and will not always be labeled as "wheat." Educate yourself on the variations of wheat derivatives used in foods and beverages. If unsure of a particular ingredient, don't chance it. Wait on eating or drinking the product, and ask your doctor whether you can ingest it safely.

    Take Antihistamines

    • Take an over-the-counter antihistamine at the first sign of an allergic reaction after consuming a wheat product. Take one dose of oral diphenhydramine to alleviate symptoms. Take care, however; diphenhydramine induces drowsiness, so it may impair your ability to function normally---especially driving a vehicle or operating machinery. Apply diphenhydramine ointment if you develop a skin reaction to the allergy such as hives. Combine oral and topical applications of diphenhydramine to fight surface and interior reactions. Do not rely on antihistamines designed for longer-term use, such as trycyclics, to alleviate your systems quickly unless you have been taking one on a regular basis.

    Carry an EpiPen

    • Bring an ephinephrine shot with you wherever you go if you have a severe wheat allergy. Carry two shots with you at all times if you are at risk of having an anaphylactic reaction, in order to buy time for emergency services to reach you. Inject the shot immediately if you ingest wheat or a wheat by-product, and contact medical emergency services to get the appropriate treatment to prevent further complications.

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