Eating oat is considered to be healthy diet, but in some individuals oats can cause allergy.
These individuals are hypersensitive to the protein present in oat. It is known as avena sativa. This protein is also present in wheat, rye and barley. The immune system considers this protein to be harmful to the body and releases histamine which give rise to unwanted allergy symptoms.
Though oat allergy is rare, it is very important to identify the symptoms of oat allergy. It will help to diagnose and treat the problem.
Oat allergy can be related genetically.
Young children out grow oat allergy after some years. Adults can also suffer from oat allergy, especially those who are having gluten allergy.
Symptoms of Oat Allergy
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Skin rash
- Urticaria
- Itching
- Eczema
- Cough
- Breathing difficulty
- Nasal discharge.
- Anaphylaxis reaction: low blood pressure, weak pulse, perspiration, breathing difficulty, dizziness, vomiting. It is life threatening condition.
Oat allergy can be caused by eating oat, by inhaling oat dust or by contact with oats.
Treatment consists of avoiding oats in your diet. Or gluten free diet as gluten (protein) in oat is the cause of allergy.
Oat Allergy Diet
Some of the oat allergy foods to avoid are:
- Bread crumbs
- Wheat bran
- Cereal extract
- High protein flour
- Barley
- Oats
- Wheat starch
- Enriched flour
- Vegetable gum
Non gluten containing foods which can be tolerated are:
- Teff
- Rice
- Wild rice
- Millet
- Milo
- Corn
- Buckwheat flour
- Tapioca flour
- Cassava meal
- Arrowroot
- Chestnut flour
- Carob powder.