If you suffer from a gluten allergy, you will usually experience something like so: You eat a food that has gluten in it. Within a few minutes to an hour your body reacts. You will usually feel itchiness in your mouth, or get inflammation, your skin might have a rash, or you might get stomach cramps and pain. You will likely take an over the counter medication like an anti-histamine, and then within a few hours your symptoms will pass. To treat the allergy you will take medication or a shot (what will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your reaction, and should be discussed with a doctor) once symptoms have arisen, or you will take them before to be pre-emptive about them. You may have allergy shots to help your body grow more accustomed to gluten, and less intolerant of it (this is called immunotherapy), and you will likely avoid it so you do not have to suffer the allergic reaction.

Helpful Resources: Web MD: Gluten Allergies This is the Web MD look at gluten allergies, or an intolerance for grain. It is a great guide for tips on eating a gluten free diet, and living with this particular allergy. Also has links for more information. Gluten Intolerance This site helps you understand what it means to have a gluten intolerance or gluten allergy. There are links at the top of the article to take you to specific sections, such as the signs, symptoms, etc. Cause of Gluten Allergies This site discusses the cause of gluten allergies, the consequences of having a gluten allergy, and of course how to diagnose this said allergy. This site also has links for learning about other allergies. Gluten Free Diet This is a great article about gluten allergies. It talks about what things gluten is found in so that you can avoid them. It discusses why it is important to follow a gluten free diet if you are intolerant to gluten. Support for Gluten Allergies This is a great site for people with gluten allergies. It is a group that you can join for support in dealing with your gluten allergy. It offers events, products, and information. What Gluten Allergy is This is an article that helps people understand what exactly a gluten allergy is, and what it means to have an allergy to gluten. It discusses how to live with this allergy, and things to avoid. Gluten Allergy This is a great site for learning all about allergies, especially the gluten allergy. It discusses management of this allergy, and has links for learning more about this and other allergies. Dealing with Gluten Allergy This is a great site for learning about what to do if you get diagnosed with a gluten allergy. It is a radical life change, but it does not have to be as crazy as it could be, instead it can be easy. Wikipedia: Gluten Allergies This site is extremely informational about gluten sensitivities and gluten allergies. The great thing about this site is that it is easy to use because it has everything broken down into smaller categories and you simply click on the link to get to the part you need. Treatment Options This is a health report about being allergic to the protein found in wheat-gluten, and what it means to you as far as what you can eat goes. It also discusses treatment options, living with this allergy, etc.

With a gluten intolerance on the other hand, the tact is much different. Avoidance is essential when you have a gluten intolerance. Damage to the small intestine can occur when a person with gluten intolerance consumes even a small amount of gluten. An allergy on the other hand can be treated, and the food can be consumed with no lasting affects. When you have a gluten intolerance your intestine is getting damaged, but the damage to the intestine manifests itself the same way allergy symptoms do. This may mean abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. However, the results are longer lasting, and can weaken the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food, which over time leads to malnutrition, and related problems. It is also important to note that while some people with gluten intolerance suffer severe symptoms, others experience no symptoms at all. With an allergy, you always suffer symptoms. People who do not experience symptoms, however, may still suffer damage to the small intestine as the result of exposure to gluten, and so it is important to know whether or not you have a gluten intolerance, or simply a food allergy to wheat.

Diagnosis of gluten intolerance usually involves blood tests and may include a biopsy of the small intestine. Diagnosis of allergies usually involves a skin test, and can also have blood tests to look for antibodies. When a skin test is performed a small amount of the allergen, in this case gluten or wheat, is put on the skin in liquid form, then a sterilized needle will prick the skin so that the allergen gets below it, and the skin will be observed for an allergic reaction. With an intolerance to gluten no visible reaction will occur. You will not get a rash, or hives, instead, your small intestine will be damaged internally, and cause you pain.

Allergies often have pills or medications you can take to help with the symptoms, prevent them, or treat them. With a gluten intolerance, the only way to successfully treat it is by completely removing all forms of gluten from the diet. This includes avoiding anything with gluten in it, which usually means: breads, cereals, cookies and all other types of foods or other products with wheat, barley or rye as an ingredient, beer, even lipstick and lick-able postage stamps. This is something that has to be a permanent situation. People with gluten intolerance must read labels, and avoid contact or consumption of foods with gluten. If you avoid gluten thoroughly enough your intestine could repair itself.

If you do find out you have a gluten intolerance it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about other potential problems. For example, people with gluten intolerance have higher risks for diabetes, cancers of certain forms, and similar conditions. Regular check-ups with a medical professional is important for staying healthy.

Now that you know what a gluten intolerance is versus a gluten allergy or food allergy, and the seriousness of such an intolerance, it is a good idea to learn how to recognize it.

What are the signs and symptoms of gluten intolerance versus gluten allergies?

The main signs and symptoms associated with gluten intolerance are stomach and digestion tract related because of the inability for the nutrients to be absorbed. This usually leads to symptoms like abdominal bloating and pain, diarrhea, constipation, really bad gas and stinky poop, steatorrhea (an increased amount of fat in the stool), and related problems.

There are other signs and symptoms as well that result from the malnutrition many people face as a result of gluten intolerance. These symptoms include anemia, which is due to a lack of absorption of vitamin B12 and iron; weight loss, which is a result of poor absorption of carbohydrates, proteins and fats; bone pain and or osteoporosis because you are not absorbing enough vitamin D; swelling because your body may start retaining fluids; and other serious complications.

One of the more interesting things about gluten intolerance is that age plays a significant role in what symptoms you are going to have. For example, a baby that suffers from this intolerance will have poor growth, muscle wasting, diarrhea, where a child will have weight loss and behavior problems. Adults will usually only suffer from diarrhea and stomach pains. Symptoms may begin in childhood or adulthood, there is not one time when symptoms present themselves. However, if you see them as a child , then as a reaches adolescence, the symptoms of gluten intolerance may be reduced or disappear, though they often return during adulthood.

With a gluten allergy the signs and symptoms are going to vary from person to person based on how long it takes your body to digest the food that causes the reaction, but usually they will manifest themselves in three areas: the skin, respiratory tract and intestinal tract.

Basic symptoms include: Itchy mouth, inflamed tissue around the mouth, stomach cramps and pains, gas, bloating, difficulty breathing, congestion, diarrhea.

So, now you know the difference between a gluten allergy and a gluten intolerance, how they express themselves, and what you can do to treat them. If you have any questions or are worried that you may be suffering from either an intolerance or allergy, speak with a medical professional. It may also be smart to talk with a registered dietician, as they can help you to find ways to have a fulfilling and satisfying diet that is gluten free. They will be able to warn you about hidden sources of gluten, and teach you what to look for on labels so that you do not cause reactions and complications in your body. They may even be able to teach you, or point you in the right direction to find recipes that are gluten free.

Living with a gluten allergy or intolerance means not being able to eat as freely as others. You will not be able to go out as much, or at least when you do you will have to be extremely careful about what you consume. Even some brands of ice cream have wheat listed as an ingredient. So, if you suffer from gluten allergies or intolerance be sure to carefully check labels, and know what brands and what foods are safe for you to consume and which should be avoided. It is a lot of work, but in the end, it will be worth it if you come up with a dietary plan that means you get variety and enjoyment, and your body does not have to suffer from the painful consequences of gluten.