Prognosis
If the diagnosis of a wheat allergy exists, it must be expected that it lasts a lifetime, since the cells of the immune system, which react to the allergen (i.e. the allergy-causing substance) wheat, are permanently in the body. With a corresponding change in diet, however, a relatively pain-free normal life can be led. It is important to act quickly when symptoms occur, especially when breathing difficulties arise.
Can I drink beer if I have a wheat allergy?
In the presence of a wheat allergy, the body reacts to all products containing certain wheat proteins. These include wheat itself and malt. Therefore, most people affected by a wheat allergy cannot tolerate normally brewed beer.
In the meantime, however, gluten-free beer is available, for example. This is made with other cereals such as buckwheat, millet, soya or rice instead of the usual ingredients such as barley or wheat. Gluten-free beer is therefore an alternative option for people with wheat allergies. However, it should be noted that many people suffering from a wheat allergy also react to gluten-free products with allergic symptoms. For this reason, gluten-free beer should initially only be tried in very small quantities and with great care.
Which cross-allergy exists?
In the case of a wheat allergy, as with most other allergies, various cross-allergies can exist. These include above all allergies to other types of grain, such as barley or oats, but also rye. Therefore these foods should be avoided under certain circumstances or at least eaten only with great care.
In some cases there are also cross-allergies to pollen allergies, such as an allergy to grasses (e.g. ryegrass). Rare cases also report a cross-allergy to kiwi.
