Allergies to oats and products made from it are rare, but medicine has reported cases of allergic symptoms in children and adults after eating oatmeal. To understand whether it is possible to avoid the disease and how to treat it, you need to know what causes it.

Could there be an allergy to oatmeal

Oat allergies are not common, but can occur in infants, children, and adults. This is the reaction of the immune system to an allergen - that is, a substance that the body considers an aggressor and begins to produce antibodies to eliminate it. The form of its manifestation is both light and heavy.

The main cause of oatmeal allergies is gluten. This is one of the proteins in cereals.

Oats, by their nature, do not contain it. But he often participates in the rotation of wheat. And if in the previous year the field was seeded with wheat, then this year grains that showered from the previous crop can sprout along with oats. In addition, it is processed at the same enterprises as cereals, which contain gluten. Due to cross-contamination, this allergen may be found in oat products.

Did you know? You can use oatmeal in weight loss diets. This is possible due to the feeling of satiety, which provides the stomach with fiber.

In adults

Since the disease was described, experts have developed several theories to explain why it occurs:

1. The first of these was genetic. Indeed, if parents have oat intolerance, then children can also inherit it.
2. Another theory is that allergies occur as a reaction to stress. If a person is under stress, then his body will be more susceptible to disease. This is often the root cause of allergies and other diseases in children and young people.
3. Adults who work in cereal processing plants may get allergies from constant contact with grain.

In order for the symptoms to manifest, a person must come into contact with an allergen - a substance from which the body tries to protect it by producing antibodies.

In children

If the baby does not have a hereditary predisposition, then such a reaction of the body occurs due to the use of an undesirable product by a nursing mother and the ingress of an allergen into the baby's body along with milk. Oat allergy can cause a potentially serious illness in infants - atopic dermatitis.

Important! If you suspect that you or your child are allergic to oats, then you should avoid eating foods derived from it - flour, cereal, cereals, etc.

This is a skin disease that can occur between the ages of 3 to 6 months. It manifests itself in the form of redness and a small rash on the face and in other parts of the body. The baby’s immune system has not yet been fully formed, so the risk of developing immune diseases is much higher for him than for adults.

Causes of the disease

No one knows the exact cause of the allergic reaction.

In medicine, there are 3 basic theories, but none of them is absolutely irrefutable:

• hereditary - by which allergen-sensitive parents transmit sensitivity to children;
• psychological - the occurrence of the disease as a reaction to a stressful situation;
• hygienic - It is based on the idea that the massive use of antibacterial drugs deprives the immune system of work and it begins to respond to substances that have always been considered harmless.

How does intolerance manifest

Symptoms of an allergy to oats and oatmeal:

• nausea and vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat;
• nasal congestion (allergic rhinitis);
• eye irritation;
• watery eyes;
• intense cough;
• labored breathing.

The intensity of symptoms may vary. In severe form, even anaphylactic shock is possible. This is a sharp increase in the body's sensitivity to the allergen.

It can develop from a few minutes to several hours. During this time, the blood flow in the body decreases sharply, the skin turns blue, a person may lose consciousness, and laryngeal edema is possible. This condition as a result of eating oatmeal is not fixed, but it is possible. Therefore, it is important to seek treatment immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Diagnosis and detection of allergen

There are several tests that can help determine if you have a food allergy.

Among them are 3 main ones:

1. Scratch test. Using a lancet, the doctor will place a small amount of the potential allergen along with histamine and glycerin or saline under the skin of the forearm. This is not a painful procedure. The waiting time for the reaction lasts 20–40 minutes.
2. Patch test. In this case, an allergen-treated patch is used. It must be worn for up to 2 days to determine if you have a delayed reaction to oats.
3. Ingestion of food. You will be asked to eat some pure gluten-free oats. If the reaction of the body remains neutral, it means that you are not allergic to oats. Otherwise, the products in which it is contained must be avoided. If an allergy to gluten is confirmed, then you need to continue to adhere to a gluten-free diet. This test should only be done at a medical facility, where you will immediately receive help if symptoms occur.

You may also be asked to exclude suspicious foods for a week or two, and then add them to the diet one at a time. This diagnostic method helps to relate symptoms to a specific product. But it is not absolutely reliable.

For children, only one diagnostic method is recommended - a study of venous blood serum. The doctor studies the reaction remotely without introducing the allergen to the child in order to avoid unwanted reactions. The result of the study will be ready in a week.

Treatment

The only way to avoid an allergic reaction is to not eat foods that cause its signs and symptoms. However, despite all efforts, you may accidentally come into contact with an allergen that is part of a cosmetic or detergent.

Many people with food allergies are wondering if their condition is permanent. There is no definite answer, since there are people who have symptoms with time and those who have to stick to a diet all their lives.

Diet restriction

The patient will have to avoid everything related to oats.

For instance:

• oatmeal bath, lotion, shampoo, skin cream, etc .;
• granola, beer, granola, oatmeal bakery products;
• oatmeal, cookies.

Be especially careful when eating in restaurants. The waiters (and sometimes the kitchen staff) may not know the ingredients of each dish on the menu.

Therefore, do not order unknown dishes or those whose components can potentially include oats or oatmeal.

Drug therapy

After you have been diagnosed, an allergist should prescribe an autoinjector with adrenaline and teach him how to use it. And also explain when and what drugs should be taken. Be sure to check the expiration date of any medicine before taking it.

Only the symptoms of the disease are treated with medication:

1. Antihistamines are designed to relieve itching and reduce inflammation of the mucous membranes. The most famous drugs of this group are Tavegil, Suprastin, Diazolin, Claritin.
2. Inhaled glucocorticosteroids are designed to treat breathing and asthma problems. This group of medicines includes Budesonide, Beclomethasone, Fluticasone.
3. With problems with the intestines, it is necessary to normalize its microflora. To do this, appoint Linex, Hilak Forte, Bifidobacterin.

You can suspend a mild allergic reaction while taking antihistamines. In the presence of skin manifestations, you will need to take a corticosteroid prescribed by a doctor. If you have a serious allergic reaction, you may need an emergency injection of adrenaline and an ambulance call.

Did you know? Oats can be found in numerous skin care products. It helps relieve inflammation, itching, thereby alleviating the symptoms of any skin diseases.

Among the modern treatment methods that are being studied are oral immunotherapy. The patient is invited to introduce into the diet a substance allergen in microdoses. During the treatment period, the dose is gradually increased. As a result, the body "gets used" to the product, which minimizes the manifestation of the symptoms of the disease.

Ethnoscience

Traditional medicine does not offer any effective methods of treatment. But nonetheless, they exist. Herbalists recommend improving the body's immune system and reducing stress. For this, strengthening broths, infusions or ginseng teas are prescribed.

Herbal treatments may include the following herbal supplements:

• quercetin - bioflavonoid, which reduces inflammation in the intestine;
• glutamine - an amino acid that treats the mucous membranes;
• milk thistle - a herbal medicine that normalizes the liver;
• inulin - plant fiber, which promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine.

These natural substances and herbs have strong anti-allergic properties and help reduce allergen susceptibility. They must be combined with the fact that the patient will adhere to a diet.

Proponents of Chinese medicine claim that acupuncture is no less effective than antihistamines. Such treatment is aimed at restoring the immune system. The doctor will choose acupuncture points, pick up needles and exposure time for a particular patient, and will also supplement the procedure with instructions on which herbal preparations should be taken to enhance the therapeutic effect.

Prevention in adults and children

In children, food allergies occur more often if their family members already have it. For such babies, it is recommended to exclusively breast-feed without the introduction of solid feeding and additional infant formula during the first half of life. If this is not possible, then you need to buy a hypoallergenic mixture to reduce the likelihood of developing an allergy. A nursing mother must follow a diet when drawing up her diet.

Did you know? People began to grow oats about 7 thousand years ago. At that time he was already known in China and Ancient Greece.

For adults, the best prevention is to avoid eating potentially dangerous foods. And also be sure to read the composition on the labels for goods and products. If you are not sure that this or that product is possible for you - do not use it and replace it with a safer one. It is important not to ignore the doctor’s instructions and adhere to a diet. And also be sure to take action as soon as you notice the first symptoms of an allergy to rule out the development of complications.