If you have a runny or blotchy nose or notice your skin turning blotchy after eating oatmeal, you may be sensitive to the oat protein. Our bodies than create antibodies against avenin and any other foreign substances the body deems a threat. Oat allergies can affect children, adults, and infants.

Symptoms

A person can feel sick after eating oats or show symptoms of an allergy to oats. Celiac disease, a severe gluten intolerance that affects 1 in 100 people worldwide, is caused by a severe gluten allergy. Oats do not contain gluten, but processing them with gluten-containing meals can lead to cross-contamination. This can lead to an incorrect diagnosis. Oat allergy can have mild to moderate symptoms that affect the skin, lungs, and intestines.

Immediate allergic Reactions

These signs may be present very shortly after a meal. Allergies to oats can cause symptoms in adults, children, and infants.

  • The red rash around the lips, eyes, or tongue can spread to other parts of the body
  • Flushed face
  • Watery Eyes
  • Runny and stuffy nose
  • Mild swelling in the lips, face, or eyes
  • Itchy throat
  • Sneezing
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Hives

Anaphylactic shock can be fatal if the person is not treated quickly. Anaphylactic symptoms usually occur within an hour. Anaphylactic shock can cause:

  • Wheeze can resemble asthma attacks
  • Feel his chest tighten
  • The airways are constricted by swelling of the tongue and throat
  • You may feel dizzy and unsteady if your blood pressure suddenly drops.
  • When inhaling, breathe loudly
  • Consciousness loss

Delayed Allergic Response

Food protein-induced enterocolitis (FPIES) is the name for the delayed food allergic response. Most commonly, FPIES affects infants who are just weaning from their mothers or eating certain meals containing oats. After eating an allergen, severe gastrointestinal symptoms can occur. Food allergies can cause symptoms to appear later than usual. Sometimes, the reaction could take 4-6 hours. Sometimes it can take a lot longer. Symptoms in infants and children include:

  • Continuous crying
  • Eczema
  • Reflux
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Bloating of the small intestine
  • Growth is slowed
  • Dehydration as a result of diarrhea or vomiting

What to avoid

Some cookies, muffins, and cakes contain oats. Therefore, it is a good idea to check the ingredient list before eating. You should check with the beer supplier to ensure it doesn’t contain oats. If you have an oat intolerance, avoid foods and beverages that contain oats.

  • Beer
  • Granola Bars
  • Flapjacks containing oat flour
  • A hot beverage containing oat milk
  • Oatmeal
  • Oat milk
  • Oat Bread
  • Oatcakes
  • Oat Bran
  • Oat Cereal
  • Oat Cookies

Certain creams and moisturizers contain oat proteins. Individuals with oat allergies may need to avoid cosmetics that contain oats.

Oat Allergy Diagnosis

A food challenge is used to determine your specific sensitivity. An allergist must decide if you are allergic to avenin or gluten. You can do this by avoiding oats for a week. This is a technique to determine if oats caused your reaction. The symptoms should be closely monitored to determine if they are improving.

If you’re only allergic to gluten, gluten-free oatmeal won’t be a problem for you. If you are allergic to oats, gluten-free oats will cause an adverse reaction. If you have a high risk of a severe reaction to oats, your food allergy doctor might recommend an oat patch test.

Oat Allergy Treatment

Anyone allergic to oats shouldn’t consume oats or products made from oats. To check for cross-contamination, people should look for words such as “may contain oats” and “produced in a facility that uses oat components” on the product label. Like any food allergy, it’s essential to have an epinephrine injector on hand. It would be best to always prepare for a severe allergic reaction.

Mild symptoms can be treated with medication, either prescribed or over-the-counter. Antihistamines are the best treatment for itchy lips and skin. Inhaled corticosteroids are used to treat asthma symptoms and breathing difficulties.

If you feel that oats cause your allergy and have any symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor or allergist. Doctors or allergists may perform tests to determine if oats cause the allergic reaction. If you experience severe symptoms of anaphylactic or FPIES, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention.

Oats Alternatives

If you are allergic to oats, try using other grains and cereals.

  • Chia Seeds
  • Sorghum
  • Millet
  • Buckwheat
  • Corn
  • Polenta
  • Quinoa
  • White rice
  • Brown rice

You can use oats alternatives in porridge, for example. Soak them in water or milk to make them thicker. Here are a few recipes that include oats substitutes: