Oat sensitivity facts for kids

Oat sensitivity means your body reacts badly to the proteins found in oats. This can happen if you are allergic to oats, either by breathing in oat dust or eating them.

Some people with celiac disease have a more complex problem. Their body's immune system reacts to a protein in oats called avenin. Avenin is similar to gluten, which is found in wheat. Sometimes, people react to oats because the oats have been mixed with tiny bits of wheat, barley, or rye.

Oat Allergy

Studies show that oat proteins can cause allergies. This is true for farmers who breathe in grain dust and for children with atopy dermatitis (a type of skin rash).

For example, in farms, 53% of people sensitive to grain dust reacted to oat dust. This was second only to barley dust. Oat allergies can cause skin problems like atopic dermatitis. They can also cause serious reactions like anaphylaxis, which affects breathing and can be dangerous.

Avenin-Sensitive Enteropathy

Whether oats are harmful to people with gluten-related disorders depends on the type of oat. Different oat varieties have different proteins. Also, oats are often mixed with other grains that contain gluten.

"Pure oat" or "gluten-free oat" means oats that have not been mixed with other gluten-containing grains. Some types of pure oats might be safe for a gluten-free diet. However, we still need more studies to be sure about the long-term effects of eating pure oats.

Immunological Evidence

Anti-Avenin Antibodies

Scientists have found proteins in oats that react with blood samples from people with celiac disease. These proteins are called prolamins.

Most people with celiac disease have special antibodies called anti-avenin antibodies (AVAs). These are similar to the antibodies seen in people who react to gluten from wheat. Studies have shown that these AVAs are not just a reaction to wheat. However, AVAs tend to decrease when people stop eating wheat. This suggests that oats might be involved in celiac disease when wheat is also present, but less so when wheat is removed from the diet.

Cellular Immunity

In celiac disease, certain cells in the body, called T-cells, react to proteins like avenin. This reaction can cause damage to the small intestine.

In some rare cases, people with celiac disease have symptoms after eating "pure oats." These people might have what is called avenin-sensitive enteropathy (ASE). This means their T-cells react to avenin, causing changes in their intestine. These individuals often have a specific genetic makeup (called DQ2.5/DQ2).

Scientists are studying different types of oats to see which ones might be safer for people with avenin sensitivity.