I think I might be intollerant to wheat... I have a rash on my neck after eating wheat germ or pizza?

Question

I have an itchy rash on my neck and last night I had pizza... I have had this before, plus the skin under and around my eyes swelled after I ate wheat germ. I rarely eat foods containing wheat, but at Christmas had whole wheat bread with no reaction- do you think my itchy rash is due to a wheat intollerance? What are the symptoms?

Answer 1

There is a difference between a food allergy and food intolerance. I got this information from WebMD. It is as follows:

A food allergy is an immune system response. It occurs when the body mistakes an ingredient in food -- usually a protein -- as harmful and creates a defense system (antibodies) to fight it. Allergy symptoms develop when the antibodies are battling the "invading" food. The most common food allergies are peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts, pecans and almonds), fish, and shellfish, milk, eggs, soy products, and wheat.

Food intolerance is a digestive system response rather than an immune system response. It occurs when something in a food irritates a person's digestive system or when a person is unable to properly digest or breakdown, the food. Intolerance to lactose, which is found in milk and other dairy products, is the most common food intolerance.

Symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild to severe, and the amount of food necessary to trigger a reaction varies from person to person.

Symptoms of food allergy may include:
Rash or hives
Nausea
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Itchy skin
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Swelling of the airways to the lungs
Anaphylaxis


Symptoms of food intolerance include:
Nausea
Stomach pain
Gas, cramps or bloating
Vomiting
Heartburn
Diarrhea
Headaches
Irritability or nervousness

I hope this info helps!

Answer 2

If eating certain foods cause a reaction, then the best thing is to stop eating those foods and see if you that is what is causing the rash.
You can go for allergy tests to confirm your allergies also.