Gluten Intolerance & Wheat Allergy in Babies: Signs, Causes

Wheat allergies are triggered by eating foods with wheat, barley, or rye. Or, sometimes, by inhaling wheat flour. Even though true wheat allergies in babies are rare, they're scary. After all, wheat is a popular ingredient. Think foods like:

Bread
Breaded meat and fish
Cereal
Crackers
Ice cream
Pastries
Pizza
And more

If you’re a parent or caretaker who’s concerned your child has a wheat allergy, it’s ok. There are plenty of treatment options available and chances are they’ll grow out of it as they age.

Yet, conditions like celiac disease and gluten intolerance don’t go away with age. And they’re much more common in babies, children, and adults.

It’s important to know the difference between each one so you can best manage your child's symptoms. Let’s explore wheat, gluten, and allergies to learn more.

Here’s what this guide covers:

Wheat allergy symptoms and signs in babies
Wheat allergy vs. celiac disease vs. gluten intolerance
When to call 911 for a wheat allergy
Top foods to avoid if your baby is allergic to wheat
How to prevent and treat baby wheat allergies
How to diagnose wheat allergies in babies
FAQ: Everything you need to know about baby wheat allergies

Wheat Allergy Symptoms and Signs in Babies

Baby wheat allergies are an immune response. It’s your baby’s body’s way of protecting itself from what it thinks is an “invader." Or something bad that's not supposed to be there.

So your baby's body reacts and sends out antibodies, or little soldiers who fight on their behalf. They venture out on a mission to attack the invader (in this case, it’s wheat). And when those antibodies start fighting off wheat, physical symptoms start showing up.

You’ll notice signs and symptoms within a few minutes or hours after ingestion. Here’s what parents and caregivers can look out for:

Mild wheat allergy

Runny nose
Congestion, coughing, or sneezing
Itchy or red skin
Nausea

Moderate wheat allergy

Hives, rashes, or raised red bumps on the skin
Swollen and/or itchy lips or mouth
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Severe wheat allergy

Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Difficulty swallowing
Anaphylaxis (rare)

Wheat Allergy vs. Celiac Disease vs. Gluten Intolerance

Wheat allergies often get mixed up with the celiac disease and gluten intolerance. And even though they’re similar, they aren’t identical. Here’s a breakdown of each so you can get to know the difference:

Wheat Allergy

Rare type of allergy
Immune system response
Caused by a release of histamine
Triggered by ingesting wheat, barley, or rye

Celiac Disease

Common disease
Food intolerance / autoimmune disorder
Abnormal immune system response
Primarily attacks the small intestines
Triggered by a specific type of wheat (gluten)

(Non-celiac) Gluten Intolerance

Often (incorrectly) used interchangeably with celiac disease
Diagnosed when celiac disease and wheat allergies are ruled out. Either by a medical professional and/or blood test

Treatments for each condition are different from one another, too. Here are some common treatments parents and caregivers use:

Wheat Allergy - Lifelong avoidance of wheat, barley, and rye. And foods laden with wheat, barley, and rye
Celiac Disease - Lifelong avoidance of gluten and foods laden with gluten
(Non-Celiac) Gluten Intolerance - Reducing or managing gluten intake

The symptoms of wheat allergies, celiac disease, and gluten intolerance may look similar. And in some cases, it’s hard for parents or caregivers to tell the difference. Here are some pro tips:

If your child has a true wheat allergy, they have an immune system response that’s triggered by wheat, barley, or rye.
If they have celiac disease, they have an autoimmune disorder. It's triggered by gluten (a specific type of wheat).
If they have an intolerance, they have a sensitivity to gluten

Now let’s take a look at the symptoms of each. You’ll notice that allergies affect many different parts of the body. Celiac disease primarily impacts the GI tract. Non-celiac gluten intolerances also impact the digestive system, but symptoms are less severe.

Type

Symptoms

Wheat allergy
(immune system)

Skin rashes and hives
Vomiting
Swelling of the eyes, face, or mouth
Wheezing and/or difficulty breathing
Diarrhea
Nausea
Anaphylaxis (rare)
Affects less than 1% of the population
Rare in children and adults
Most children outgrow wheat allergies with age

Celiac disease
(autoimmune reaction)

Bloating
Difficult bowel movements
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Anemia
Fatigue
Headaches
Vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition
Affects about 1% of the population
Very rare in babies and young children

Non-celiac gluten intolerance
(digestive system)

Bloating
Difficult bowel movements
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Affects about 6% of the population
Usually shows up in babies between 6 months and 12 months old. This is when gluten is most often introduced into their diet

Keep in mind that the best way to know whether your child has an allergy or disease is to talk with a doctor. They’ll be able to diagnose your child and prescribe an appropriate treatment plan for your baby.

When to Call 911 for a Wheat Allergy

Wheat allergies are rare — both in adults and children. And it’s even rarer that a wheat allergy is severe enough to result in anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a condition characterized by sudden onset of these symptoms:

Shortness of breath or challenged breathing
Stopped breathing
Severe swelling of the mouth, throat, or face
Severe cramping and abdominal pain
Fast pulse and/or low blood pressure
Loss of consciousness

Remember: Never hesitate to consult with a medical professional. Always seek emergency care if needed.

Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. So the sooner your baby gets medical attention, the better. While you and your child wait for emergency care, you can:

Give your child an epinephrine injection. It’s also known as an auto-injector or EpiPen®
Administer over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines to manage any remaining symptoms
Keep an eye on your child’s symptoms to make sure a “second wave” doesn’t occur

Always seek medical attention if your child has a severe allergic reaction. Even if their symptoms subside after a few minutes, talk with your child’s doctor.

If your baby has a true wheat allergy, the best way to manage their symptoms is by avoiding wheat altogether. Here’s a list of foods that your child can (and can’t) eat if they’re on solid foods:

Drinks

Not OK

Cereal drinks
Coffee substitutes
Drinks made from wheat products (beer, ale, root beer)
Instant chocolate drink mixes

Coffee
Tea
Fruit juices
Decaffeinated coffee
Carbonated drinks

Bread & Cereals

Desserts & Sweets

Eggs, Meat, Dairy, and Other Animal Products

Fats

Fruits & Vegetables

Spices & Misc.

Keep in mind that everything listed in the table above is a guideline. It should in no way replace the advice of a medical professional. As well, not all foods are appropriate for babies or young children.

Always talk with your doctor about what’s best for your baby. And remember to check food labels for hidden wheat ingredients like:

All-purpose flour
Artificial flavoring*
Bread
Bulgur
Caramel color*
Cereal extract
Couscous
Cracker meal
Dextrin*
Einkorn
Emmer
Farina
Farro
Flour
Food starch*
Fu
Glucose syrup*
Gluten
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)*
Malt
Maltodextrin*
Matzo
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)*
Oats*
Seitan
Semolina
Soy sauce*
Spelt
Surimi*
Tabbouleh
Teriyaki sauce*
Textured vegetable protein*
Triticale
Triticum
Vegetable gum*
Wheat, whole wheat, wheat bran
Wheatgrass

Items listed above with an asterisk* likely contain wheat (but don’t always contain wheat).

How to Prevent and Treat Baby Wheat Allergies

If your baby has a wheat allergy, it’s not curable. But the good news is children often outgrow allergies as they age. And in the meantime, talk with your baby’s allergist and/or doctor to come up with a treatment plan. Some common wheat allergy treatment plans include:

Allergy action plans	Wheat allergy action plans outline your child’s condition These documents include a list of symptoms, emergency contact information, and what to do in case of a severe reaction For example, your child’s action plan may include instructions to call 911 and administer an epinephrine injection Work with your doctor to build an action plan and make sure they look it over before you distribute it Share the action plan with teachers, caregivers, and family members
Medications	If your child has a mild wheat allergy, some OTC and prescription medications can manage their symptoms For example, OTC antihistamines or prescription auto-injectors Talk with your baby’s doctor to figure out which medications are safe for your child
Food label monitoring	Always check food labels for wheat or hidden wheat ingredients like all-purpose flour or malt. Review a list here Avoid cross-contamination in commercially-prepared foods by checking for “may contain wheat” The EU and UK require most commercial food labels to clearly indicate common allergens Look for items with bold, underlined, or highlighted text on the food label
Breastfeeding vs. formula-feeding	If you’re breastfeeding a baby with a wheat allergy, talk with your doctor about what’s safe. There’s a chance you could pass along wheat in your breastmilk If you’re formula-feeding a baby with a wheat allergy, invest in wheat-free formulas

Wheat allergy, celiac disease, and gluten intolerance symptoms mimic one another. And since it’s tough to tell the difference, your doctor or allergist may run tests. Such tests identify which condition your child has.