A child or adult with a wheat allergy can develop debilitating symptoms within minutes after consuming wheat or inhaling wheat. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic response that can occur in some cases.

Wheat allergy is one of the most common childhood food allergies but it can also affect adults. It affects approximately 0.5 percent of children and up to 1.2 percent of adults in the United States. Studies show that wheat is the food that most commonly triggers a severe and immediate allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in people over 18 years of age. 

Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding these ingredients and food if you have a wheat allergy.

Some people are allergic to just one of the proteins in wheat, while others may be allergic to two or more. Having an allergy to one or multiple types of wheat protein merits wearing a medical ID.

“Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace with your allergy information.” - Stanford Children's Health

The body's immune system causes symptoms of wheat allergy. Exposure to a wheat protein (albumin, globulin, gliadin, and gluten) primes the immune system for an allergic reaction. Even if an allergic person tries to avoid wheat altogether, wheat is found in many foods, including some you might not suspect. An allergic reaction can also be caused by cross-contamination.

• Swelling and tightness in the throat
• Difficulty swallowing
• Tightness and pain in the chest
• Difficulty breathing
• Pale or bluish skin
• Weak pulse
• Life-threatening drop in blood pressure

Source: Medical News Today

Symptoms of wheat allergy can cause throat swelling making it difficult to breathe and speak. It can prevent patients in communicating critical health information, especially for young children. 

According to the ACAA, people who have previously experienced only mild symptoms may suddenly experience anaphylaxis.

This is why a medical ID is essential. Unless a child or adult with wheat allergy wears a medical ID bracelet or necklace, symptoms can be misdiagnosed and delay life-saving treatment such as an epinephrine injection or EpiPen shot.

"A medical identification bracelet that describes the allergy and need for emergency care can help if you experience anaphylaxis and can't communicate." - Mayo Clinic

Wearing a custom engraved medical alert ID for wheat allergy is necessary for safety and peace of mind. Information found on a medical ID can make the difference in avoiding accidental exposure to wheat and receiving appropriate care in emergencies.

• Name
• Wheat allergy – allergy can be abbreviated to ALGY on your medical ID. 
• Mention any other allergies and medical conditions, i.e. asthma, diabetes, or autism.
• Epi-Pen information – alert others that epinephrine injection is needed in an emergency and where it can be found. This can be engraved as: give EpiPen, give epi, epi in bag or epi in my purse, for example.
• Emergency Contact – especially if a child is wearing the medical ID, list parents' emergency numbers or a prompt to immediately call 911.