Wheat Allergy
Treatment & Desensitization
Wheat Allergy Desensitization in NYC, Manhattan, Upper East Side
At NY Food Allergy & Wellness, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, we specialize in diagnosing and treating wheat allergies. Led by Dr. Atul Shah, our expert team provides comprehensive and personalized care to help you manage and desensitize to your wheat allergy safely and effectively. Wheat allergies are increasingly common and can cause a variety of symptoms, necessitating accurate diagnosis and effective management.
Understanding Wheat Allergies
Wheat allergies occur when the immune system reacts abnormally to proteins found in wheat, such as albumin, gliadin, globulin, and gluten. This immune response can cause a range of allergic reactions from mild to severe. It’s important to differentiate between a wheat allergy, non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), and celiac disease, as each involves different immune responses and management strategies.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Wheat Allergies
Symptoms of a wheat allergy can manifest in various ways and may include:
Skin Reactions: Hives, eczema, redness, swelling
Respiratory Issues: Sneezing, nasal congestion, asthma, wheezing
Gastrointestinal Problems: Diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting
Anaphylaxis: A severe, potentially life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention
Food Allergy Testing for Wheat
At NY Food Allergy & Wellness, we are proud to offer the Basophil Activation Test (BAT), a cutting edge diagnostic tool for identifying food allergies. This advanced test measures the activation of basophils, a type of white blood cell, in response to allergens. The BAT provides highly accurate results and can detect allergic reactions that might not be identified through traditional testing methods.
We are the only certified lab in the region offering the Basophil Activation Test. Our certification ensures that we maintain the highest standards of accuracy and reliability in our testing procedures. By choosing NY Food Allergy & Wellness for your allergy testing needs, you can be confident that you are receiving the most advanced and reliable diagnostics available.
The Basophil Activation Test is particularly useful for patients who have complex allergy profiles or who have not found answers through conventional tests. It can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of ongoing allergy treatments, providing valuable insights for personalized care plans.
Key benefits of the Basophil Activation Test include:
High Accuracy: Detects allergic reactions that may not be visible through skin prick or blood tests.
Comprehensive Analysis: Measures the specific activation of basophils, providing detailed information about allergic responses.
Certified Lab: Conducted in our certified lab, ensuring the highest standards of testing quality and reliability.
If you suspect you have a food allergy and need precise and reliable testing, the Basophil Activation Test at NY Food Allergy & Wellness is an excellent choice. Contact us today to learn more about this innovative test and to schedule your appointment.
Oral Food Challenges are considered the gold standard for diagnosing food allergies. During an OFC, the patient consumes small amounts of the suspected allergen under strict medical supervision to observe any reactions. This method provides definitive results and is conducted with the utmost care and safety.
Skin prick tests are a quick and effective way to identify specific allergens. During the test, a small amount of allergen is placed on the skin, which is then gently pricked to allow the allergen to enter. Results are typically visible within 15–20 minutes, making it a fast and reliable option.
Needle free tests are ideal for children and needle phobic patients. Using advanced technology, these tests provide precise results without the discomfort associated with traditional testing methods.
Blood tests are highly accurate and comprehensive, suitable for all age groups. They measure the presence of specific IgE antibodies in the blood, which can indicate an allergy. This method is particularly useful for patients who cannot undergo skin testing.
IgE specific to peanut components are very helpful in accurate diagnosis of true peanut allergy compared to false positives due to underlying tree pollen allergy. Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 are considered components with potential for systemic reactions.
Managing Wheat Allergies in Daily Life
Managing a wheat allergy involves more than just avoiding wheat products. At NY Food Allergy & Wellness, we offer comprehensive guidance on:
Reading Food Labels: Learn to identify hidden wheat ingredients and understand precautionary statements (Food Allergy Research & Education).
Safe Cooking Alternatives: Use wheat-free flours such as rice, sorghum, soy, tapioca, or potato starch.
Dining Out: Tips for communicating your allergy to restaurant staff and choosing safe menu options.
Emergency Preparedness: Carry epinephrine auto-injectors and have an action plan for accidental exposure (American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology).
Avoiding wheat is crucial for managing your allergy. Common wheat-containing foods include:Breads, cakes, cookies, and other baked goods
Pasta, pizza, and cereals
Sauces, soups, and salad dressings
Wheat-based beverages like certain beers
Foods containing wheat flour and derivatives (Cleveland Clinic, ACAAI).
Managing Multiple Food Allergies
At NY Food Allergy & Wellness, our FATE™ (Food Allergy Tolerance Enhancement) Program specializes in managing multiple food allergies through comprehensive diagnostics and desensitization, helping patients achieve greater dietary freedom.
Diagnostic Approach
We begin with:
Detailed Patient History: Reviewing the patient’s medical history and symptoms.
Advanced Testing: Utilizing skin prick tests, blood tests, and the Basophil Activation Test to identify specific allergens and assess reaction severity.
Continuous Support
Regular Follow-ups: Monitoring progress and adjusting treatment plans.
Patient Education: Providing resources and training for effective management.
Support Groups: Facilitating patient support groups for shared experiences and strategies.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Our customized plans aim for food allergy desensitization and may include:
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT): Gradually introducing allergens to desensitize the immune system.
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT): Administering allergens under the tongue to build tolerance.
Medications: Antihistamines can relieve mild symptoms, while epinephrine is used for severe reactions like anaphylaxis. Omalizumab (Xolair) injections can be considered to reduce the risk or reactions.
Dietary Management: Guidance on safe food choices and avoidance strategies.
Emergency Preparedness: Training on using epinephrine auto-injectors and creating action plans for accidental exposures.
Frequently Asked Questions
The increase in wheat allergies can be attributed to several factors:
Increased Wheat Consumption: Higher consumption of wheat products in modern diets.
Genetic Factors: A genetic predisposition to food allergies.
Environmental Factors: Changes in diet, hygiene, and exposure to allergens.
Food Processing Methods: Modern food processing techniques that alter wheat proteins, potentially increasing allergenicity
(Healthline).
Currently, avoidance is a general recommendation, but several treatments can help manage the condition:
Avoidance: The primary treatment involves avoiding wheat and wheat containing products.
Medications: Antihistamines can relieve mild symptoms, while epinephrine is used for severe reactions like anaphylaxis. FDA approved Omalizumab (Xolair) injections can be considered to reduce the risk or reactions. Read more.
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT): This treatment gradually introduces small amounts of wheat to desensitize the immune system over time. It is a low dose treatment that requires drops under the tongue on a daily basis for some time.
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT): This treatment desensitizes the immune system and can help develop tolerance over time. At NYFA, we offer our patients to choose their goals, from “bite proof” level of protection to free eating.
Currently, there is no cure for wheat allergies. However, treatments like Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) and Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) have shown promise in increasing tolerance to wheat proteins.
These therapies aim to desensitize the immune system, potentially allowing for safer consumption of wheat containing foods over time (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology). Many of our wheat allergic patients at NYFA have reached free eating freedom through the FATE process.
Wheat allergies and gluten sensitivity (or celiac disease) are different conditions. A wheat allergy involves an overactive immune reaction to various proteins in wheat, not just gluten.
Gluten sensitivity specifically involves an adverse reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Wheat allergy can trigger anaphylaxis while gluten sensitivity can cause many symptoms but not an anaphylactic reaction. It is possible to be allergic to wheat proteins other than gluten.
NY Food Allergy & Wellness stands out as the premier destination for wheat allergy desensitization due to our:
Expertise: Led by Dr. Atul Shah, a specialist with extensive experience in treating wheat allergies.
Advanced Diagnostics: Utilizing state of the art diagnostic tools to accurately assess and tailor treatment plans.
Personalized Care: Offering customized treatment plans based on each patient’s specific needs.
Comprehensive Support: Providing ongoing education, support, and monitoring to ensure effective management of wheat allergies.
Severe Multi-Food Allergy Success Story
What our patients are saying...
Dr. Shah and the team at NY Food Allergy & Wellness are truly exceptional. I had long believed I was allergic to shrimp, crab, and lobster until I completed oral food challenges here and discovered I was not. Dr. Shah's kindness, expertise, and collaborative approach are unmatched.
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Dr. Shah provided exceptional care in overseeing our daughter's oral immunotherapy for her peanut allergy. Thanks to his expertise and guidance, she is now fully desensitized and no longer has any food restrictions. The entire staff is kind, incredibly helpful, and supportive.
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Dr. Shah has a profound understanding of food allergies and explains test results and treatment options clearly. He follows science and common sense, and his team is attentive and compassionate.
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Dr. Shah is incredibly thorough and kind. He has helped cure my daughter of her sesame allergy as well as other tree nuts. The care throughout the oral immunotherapy journey was exceptional.
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After 33 years of being deathly allergic to peanuts, I am finally free of the burden. I can eat with confidence without constant worry. Dr. Shah and his team go above and beyond to make the process as simple as possible.
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Our 8-year-old daughter graduated milk OIT and now confidently eats dairy as part of her normal diet. Worries about social events are gone. Dr. Shah is calm, kind, and thorough, and NP Janet was incredibly patient.
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Dr. Shah has completely changed my son's life. Within a year of starting OIT, he became fully desensitized to multiple nuts; years later, his allergy is fully reversed. Dr. Shah is intelligent, kind, and truly dedicated.
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Dr. Shah and his team provide an exceptional level of care that is unmatched. Their attention to detail and personalized care have allowed me to live free from food allergy limitations.
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Two family members with severe food allergies are now fully eating the foods that once sent them to the ER. The team treated us like family and was always available. Truly life-changing.
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I am immensely grateful to Dr. Shah and his wonderful staff for their life-changing work. They helped my daughter overcome her peanut and tree nut allergies and gave us a priceless gift. Thoughtful, compassionate, expert care at every visit.
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Dr. Shah and his team at both locations (Manhattan and Long Island) are truly amazing. His knowledge and expertise in treating food allergies is life-changing for so many adult and pediatric patients. Oral immunotherapy truly works, and the team will guide and help you throughout the entire journey. I have been successfully eating the foods that I once avoided thanks to Dr. Shah and his amazing team.
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About Dr. Atul Shah: Testimonials
Pioneering Food Allergy
Treatments in Manhattan.
Dr. Atul Shah:
Dr. Atul Shah: The Donna Drake Show
Dr. Atul Shah, MD, FACAAI, FAAAAI, is the founder of NY Food Allergy & Wellness & a renowned allergist with over 20 years of experience. With more than 15,000 success stories across children, teens, & adults, Dr. Shah’s expertise knows no age limits. He holds dual fellowships & has been honored with prestigious awards, including America’s Top Physician. Dr. Shah is a leader in allergy care, offering personalized, life-changing treatments.
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New York City Location
110 East 60th St., Suite 708
New York, NY, 10022
Hours of Operation
Tuesday: 9am-5pm
Wednesday: 9am-5pm
Thursday: 9am-7pm
Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-2pm
Sunday/Monday: Closed
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Food Allergy FAQ'S
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Food Allergy Success Videos
Our Media Library has over 80+ Video Success Stories, Interviews & Treatment Breakdowns with Dr. Atul Shah and more!
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Food Allergy Treatments
We have the most comprehensive Food Allergy Treatments available. Including BAT testing that is ONLY available at NYFA.
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Personalized Care
The Food Allergy Tolerance Enhancement Program is personalized to your needs in an upscale, private practice.
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Detailed Breakdowns
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Food Allergy Team
We have the Top Food Allergist in NYC, Dr. Atul Shah and a team of Experts focused on providing the ultimate patient experience.
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Our brand new office in NYC is centrally located on the Upper East Side. Close to Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx & Staten Island.
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