Allergy Wheat Enzyme Assay Skin
What is this test?
Allergy wheat enzyme assay skin test is used to test the sensitization of your skin to wheat. This test helps to know the immune response of the body towards the wheat containing foods or cosmetic products. In this test, your skin is slightly pricked and introduced to a small amount of a liquid containing wheat protein.
What is a wheat allergy?
A wheat allergy is an allergic reaction to the proteins present in wheat. This allergy can occur from food containing wheat or nonfood items with wheat-based ingredients such as cosmetics or bath products. Common food containing wheat are bread, pasta, cakes, cereals, cookies, soy sauce, hot dogs, ice cream, jelly beans, etc. It can also occur by inhaling wheat flour. This is very common in children. If you have a family history of allergies or allergic diseases, such as asthma or wheat allergy, then you are at high risk for developing a wheat allergy.
An individual who is allergic to wheat when gets exposed to it, their immune system produces antibodies against the wheat proteins. This can cause many symptoms within a few minutes. The signs and symptoms of wheat allergy are skin rashes, hives, nausea, vomiting, stuffy or a runny nose, irritation of the mouth and throat, eye irritation, trouble breathing, sneezing, headaches, etc. Severe allergy may cause anaphylactic reactions like a shock, chest pain, dizziness or blue skin color that requires immediate medical attention. These symptoms can be completely avoided if you have a wheat-free lifestyle.
Wheat allergy sometimes is confused with an autoimmune disorder called a celiac disease that occurs due to the ingestion of gluten. Individuals who have a wheat allergy their body produces antibodies against the wheat proteins. But in celiac disease, the body causes an abnormal immune response to gluten (a specific protein found in wheat). Individuals who have a gluten allergy may not cause immediate symptoms but lead to damage of intestines.
Why is this test performed?
This test is performed when you are suspected to have a wheat allergy. Your doctor may ask to perform this test if you experience signs and symptoms of wheat allergy such as skin rashes, hives, nausea, vomiting, stuffy or a runny nose, irritation of the mouth and throat, eye irritation, trouble breathing, sneezing, headaches, etc. This test may also be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, if already diagnosed.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Allergy Wheat Enzyme Assay Skin. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Allergy Wheat Enzyme Assay Skin.
No specific preparation is required for this test. However, follow all the instructions given by the healthcare provider.
Understanding your test results
After getting exposed to wheat or wheat proteins if you develop hives or reddish spots on the skin within 15 - 20 minutes, or a wheal or flare reaction (immediate reaction to an allergen) at the test location that is at least 3 mm of size may indicate that you have a wheat allergy.
If there is no reaction or hives present on the skin after getting exposed to the wheat or wheat proteins then it may indicate that you are not allergic to wheat.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | A wheal and flare reaction of atleast 3mm indicates that the patient is allergic to the substance |