Can adults be allergic to buckwheat?

Allergy to buckwheat is not a very common pathology, especially in adult patients, since the grain does not contain gluten. But individual intolerance still happens. Unaware of the problem, a patient can consume buckwheat for years, until a mild allergic reaction at some point develops into swelling of the throat or serious neurological problems. Let's figure out whether buckwheat is an allergenic product or not.

Buckwheat as an allergenic product

Buckwheat is a dietary product, the basis of nutrition for diabetes, metabolic disorders, and kidney diseases. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, women introduce this grain into their diet as one of the first, as it is considered safe.

But people suffering from any form of allergies should consume buckwheat with caution, as it belongs to the middle category of allergens. This means that an allergy to porridge or a side dish can manifest itself at any time. The danger is that the patient may consider buckwheat as a cause of deterioration in well-being at the last moment, while continuing to consume their favorite product.

Characteristics and description of the allergen

Allergies are based on buckwheat – rejection of proteins by the body. With such a disease, the immune system perceives any food protein as foreign, and the body does not absorb it.

Protein in cereals is about 19%. If the body does not accept plant proteins, an allergic reaction to buckwheat will be strong.

Could there be an allergy to green buckwheat? Yes, it contains even more protein than brown - 14 g versus 12 g.

Reference. A negative reaction of the body will manifest itself if the cereal was stored incorrectly and it is contaminated with mold fungi - the most powerful causative agents of allergic reactions. In addition to mold, low-quality products contain insect remains, which also act as an allergen.

Causes of buckwheat allergy

A sudden negative reaction to eating healthy cereals is caused by several reasons:

• eating buckwheat too often;
• working with dry product – constant inhalation of dust, for example, when packing cereals;
• pillows filled with buckwheat husks;
• if the patient has negative reactions to whole milk, any nuts, meat or legumes, a cross-reaction may occur;
• genetic predisposition to allergies to plant protein.

To understand that the reaction is specifically to cereals, you need to keep a food diary and record in it all the deterioration of your condition associated with food.

Mechanism of allergy formation

The mechanism by which a negative reaction to a certain product occurs is complex. When an allergen - something that the immune system perceives as something foreign - first enters the body, the body produces antibodies that remove the “enemy” from the body.

Antibodies are special protein substances that are produced by the immune system against a specific allergen (food, book dust, mold, cat or dog hair, etc.).

A primary defensive reaction occurs:

• spasm in the throat;
• pulmonary edema;
• tears;
• sneezing and coughing.

The next time the allergen enters the body, the reaction can be either positive due to addiction, or negative - the reaction intensifies.

Symptoms of an allergy to buckwheat

In some cases, a person may not experience any negative symptoms other than dizziness and weakness for several weeks in a row. But there are typical symptoms that are characteristic of almost all manifestations of allergies:

• skin rash;
• diarrhea;
• swelling of the throat;
• pulmonary spasm.

The reaction that occurs after inhaling buckwheat dust is cough, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, swelling of the mucous membrane, redness of the skin, especially in the eye and lip area.

Atypical symptoms characteristic of adult patients include:

• the occurrence of severe allergic rhinitis, which is accompanied by incessant sneezing;
• abdominal cramps;
• diarrhea, increased gas formation;
• the appearance of shortness of breath, dryness and pain in the throat, loss of voice or hoarseness;
• nausea and vomiting;
• headaches and joint pains similar to pain from acute respiratory infections;
• irritability, anxiety;
• sleep disturbance - the patient wakes up in the middle of the night and cannot fall asleep;
• painful sensations when swallowing.

Many of these symptoms, including extreme fatigue and inability to concentrate at work, may be mistakenly perceived by the patient as signs of a cold. Ignored allergies lead to nosebleeds, nausea and vomiting, weight loss and anemia.

This is interesting:

Are infants allergic to buckwheat?

Is it possible to eat buckwheat with milk: what are the benefits and harms of such a combination?

How does buckwheat affect the blood: does it thicken or thin it, and can it be eaten if you have high cholesterol?

Cross shape

Allergy to buckwheat is very rare.Most often it is triggered by the body’s reaction to some other product (cross-reaction):

• nuts;
• milk;
• meat (mostly beef);
• avocado.

The allergens present in them are similar to the allergens in buckwheat. After eating porridge, at some point a person who has not previously suffered from a negative reaction to buckwheat may experience a severe allergy.

Diagnosis of allergies

To guarantee the identification of the allergen, an ELISA test is performed - an analysis of the amount of immunoenzymes in the body.

Also, for diagnosis, the doctor may advise:

• follow a specific diet and keep a food diary;
• conduct provocative tests: a small amount of allergens is introduced into the body and the reaction is assessed.

How to treat buckwheat allergy in adults

During treatment, foods that cause a negative reaction are excluded from the diet, antihistamines are prescribed and a strict diet is temporarily prescribed:

1. If the reaction is mild, it is enough to exclude any dishes with buckwheat from the diet.
2. If the reaction is severe, accompanied by headache, rash, swelling of the mucous membrane, intestinal upset, antihistamines are prescribed in the form of tablets, ointments or drops.

The most popular products are Claritin, Tavegil, and Desitin ointment.

Reference. Treatment is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, since many antihistamines cause unpleasant side effects - drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, anxiety.

If the allergy to buckwheat is very severe, the doctor prescribes hormonal medications.

Prevention measures

Allergies cannot be treated with medications; medications only relieve symptoms. To prevent exacerbations, it is necessary to completely eliminate the product causing the negative reaction from the diet..

For some time after allergy symptoms have subsided, it is important to follow a diet - reduce the content of protein foods, milk and nuts in the menu.

Any dishes with buckwheat are excluded from the menu and pillows filled with cereal husks are not used.

Conclusion

Is buckwheat an allergen? Yes, allergies to cereals are rare, but the consequences can be very serious, including swelling of the larynx and lungs, fainting and severe itching. At the first symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor for diagnosis and completely eliminate buckwheat from your diet.