Gluten allergies and hypoallergenic dogs may all just be a myth, according to a recent study.
Allergy doctor Dr. David Stukus from Columbus, Ohio recently debunked various common allergy myths and confirms that allergies to gluten don't exist but wheat allergies do. He also confirms that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog or cat, so people are not necessarily allergic to animal fur.
"There's this claim about "gluten allergy," which really doesn't exist. It's not really a recognized allergy. Wheat is a recognized allergy - but a lot of people will misinterpret that as gluten. Wheat allergy does not necessarily equal an allergy to all gluten. Gluten has been blamed for all that ails humanity. In fact, there are only three disorders that can be scientifically attributed to gluten, he says: coeliac disease, wheat allergies and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity," he told Today.
Coeliac disease is a type of autoimmune condition. Patients suffering from this condition display symptoms that are similar to gluten sensitivity, which includes bloating, diarrhea and stomach pain. "If you think you may have an allergy, you should see a certified allergist for proper evaluation, testing, diagnosis and treatment," Dr Stukus said. Dr. Stukus' work is being presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), according to the Daily Mail. He argues that some of these myths are damaging to the health especially when people completely cut gluten from their diet or avoid vaccinations that they otherwise need.
Dr. David also advises that people use the Internet for browsing health-related information with a sense of responsibility and common sense. "Use the Internet for guidance, but don't rely on it as your sole source of health information. It's a great place to formulate questions that you can take to physicians," he claimed.
