Since I know nothing about a malt allergy, I wanted to toss this question out to the readers:
I just recently was diagnosed by a food allergist with allergies to Oat and Malt.
I was not allergic to Wheat- and was also tested for gluten sensitive and celiac- all came back clear.So my question is: Is there anyone oat the allergic to Malt? Was does that mean? I know you are a website for Oat and that is easy to see in ingredients and plenty of things I can find to eat without Oats, but not Malt. I am new to this whole food allergy thing and can find nothing on Malt allergy. Please help my stomach is ugh! and I am hungry for something other then just fruit, veggies and meat:)
Thanks
NM
Can anyone help?
18 responses so far ↓
allison // May 4, 2008 at 12:07 pm
interesting…I have always wondered if I was allergic to oats and malt. I never feel good after eating oats or products containing malt.
In response to the above, malt comes from barley… several types of candy contain malt…
one prime example are whopper’s malted milk balls…(I don’t drink but I do know beer comes from barley as well)
I have several regular allergies and a couple food allergies mainly peanuts…but I have never been tested for oats or malt…
hope some of this info. helps
allison // May 4, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I am also allergic to raw or not completely cooked eggs…basically the only way I can tolerate eggs is if they are in a baked good like cookies…
food allergies are strange…they can also change throughout your lifespan…
another point: if you are ever having a surgical operation or vaccine like the flu shot you should be aware of the egg proteins if you are allergic to eggs…
Josh // August 3, 2008 at 4:38 am
I think I may have a similar condition, as I recently became aware of the fact that things like chocolate malts, whopper candies, and granola bars often cause me to get a headache. I’ve not found any good information yet or even verified for certain whether a malt allergy is really what’s going on, but I’d be interested in you keeping me posted with any information you have discovered in the last few months since your original post. Thanks!
Josh // August 3, 2008 at 4:39 am
By the way, I think I’m using the same theme on my blog as you are on yours — with slight modification, of course!
Adam Darowski // August 3, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Hi Josh:
I started this blog because I once wrote about my daughter’s oat allergy, and suddenly people were contacting me because there was no other information.
Interestingly enough, I wrote this one post referencing a malt allergy, and now we’re on the first page of Google for “malt allergy”. Unfortunately, the only information I have is here. It looks like this is yet another greatly under-served allergy.
Terri // February 15, 2009 at 3:14 am
I think I’m allergic to malt products too. My sister was diagnosed with it as a little girl. After Trick-or-treat time, she would have a “cold” for weeks afterward! (Whoppers)
For the past couple of years, I turn red all over when I eat breads or granola bars with malt them. So, much so, that my co-workers notice it before I do.
Cool website!
Charles Bingham // March 6, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I have a malt allergy, but am fine with wheat and most other grains. Things with malt in them cause my joints to ache and give a general feeling of soreness all over. It’s not good. You aren’t alone in having a sensitivity. I wish food labeling was more clear. “natural flavors” is the most aggrivating.
Stacey // March 16, 2009 at 6:22 am
As was posted, I am here due to it being the first page listed on “malt allergy”. My 2 1/2 year old has had loose stools his entire life. I asked his pediatrician about it, but he pretty much brushed it off as there were no problems with weight gain, growth, development, etc. At first I was convinced it was a lactose issue as his dad and my dad both were lactose intolerant. However, after switching out the milk for either lactaid milk or soy milk, that did nothing to change it. Finally as I was thinking about potty training, I decided to have a food sensitivity test done as I could not justify trying to get him to potty train if he always had loose bowels…kinda like setting him up for failure!! Test came back with lots of items for risk, but I started with the malt. Oh my god is it in everything or what??? I have found a few “regular” breads with out it, but have had to completely clean out my cupboards as many items had malt, malted barley, or maltodextrin in them. Very difficult to find any info on this out there, but it is nice to know that there actually are others as I had never heard of or even thought of this. I will definitely check back to see if anyone finds more info.
Susan Francis // May 10, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Generally, wheatflour bread is ok, as long as there is not a dusting of malt flour on the top. Generally, I brush the flour off of those breads.I had tests for food allergies and it came out as Malt and Barley. (wheatmalt does not affect me )
The pizzas in the pizza parlours are usually ok, but the frozen ones quite often have maltflour and barley malt extract, which make a sufferer very ill indeed. My symptoms vary from feeling a bit grumpy to a raging temper, depending on the amount eaten, sometimes a rash, or a headachey hang-over feeling that can last up to ten days !! I avoid nearly all spirits. (whisky, gin, vodka bacardi rum and all beer and lager ) but sherry and wine, also brandy are ok. Most breakfast cereals are malted, but Shredded wheat is fine as are oats (but Ready Brek has malt ) Most chewing gum has malt sugar in these days, almost without exception ! No malt vinegar or things containing malt vinegar such as Worcester sauce , but the spirit vinegar does not affect me. (puzzles me that one ) Well I hope that helps you. You will become used to reading labels, but its far easier just to make your own sauces, using wine vinegar. Good luck anyway.
CC // July 31, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I tested positive fore a malt allergy also (negative for wheat). The only thing that I have found that works is to treat it pretty close to a gluten free diet. (It was a sad day when I gave up beer. Who am I kidding, it is still sad. )
I’ve taken to corn torillas, rice, polenta, potatoes and making my own food. I’ve been learning more about cooking, baking and food ingredients. It works well for me and is a necessary investment, especially for dessert.
I’m a big sweets fan, so nuts and good chocolate seem to hit the spot. Merengues too (best with nuts/choc) . Italian almond cookies are made with almond flour and egg whites; they are fantastic. I ‘m determined to find all gluten-free pastry/sweet options.
Toni // August 1, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I also have an allergy to malt like malted shakes, whoppers, beer, whiskey, etc.
It started with really bad hives and has eventually become episodes of full blown anaphalaxsis (sp).
Any Americans…avoid Zaxby’s. Even their grilled chicken contains malt! It took me 2 ER visits to finally understand that it was their salad that was making me so sick.
I have also found that most liquors are malted…it is depressing. I wasn’t ever a huge beer drinker, but now it is all I want to drink! lol I have been sticking to wine.
I’m going to start a gluten free diet ASAP as I never feel good….here’s to hoping it works!!
Good luck all and please if you find any info let us know!
Mark // September 11, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I have a condition called e0sinophilic esophagitis (sp) which is basicly a reaction to food allergy (mine is malt) that causes white blood cells (esinophils) to collect in the throat lining. This constricts the throat and makes the lining loose elasticity. I have trouble swallowing . Malt is found in many foods, but watch for it in processed foods in particular. Also pay close attention to gravies, sauces and salad dressings, these can use malt as a thickening agent. Most restraurnts are happy to go look at ingredients but have trouble finding malt.
Jamie // September 20, 2009 at 2:29 am
say it ain’t so! i know i have a malt allergie. heck i’m allergic to just about everything you can eat, breath or touch. but could that also be an explanation for my irritation with people, the little annoyances in my day to day life that amek me want to scream until my throat bleeds!? please, i need more information! i’ve learned the hard way to stay away from beer and granola bars and breads because of the headaches, but could it cause anger too!?
Lee // October 12, 2009 at 11:13 pm
I’m starting to think I have a barley allergy and not necessarily a wheat or gluten allergy. I’ve always had a problem eating straight up barley – I get very painful digestive cramping [IBS?] that lasts for hours until it eventually clears my system. As I got older I realized my tolerance for beer – especially barley malts was getting worse and worse, to the point where I’d feel sick to my stomach 7-8 hours after having 1 or 2 beers, spins and all.
I no longer drink beer and I never eat barley, so I haven’t had to deal with the pain and suffering until recently, when I started using Barilla Plus Pasta. I love that it’s whole grain and has omega-3 and more protein and fibre than regular pasta, but I’m just realizing that every time I eat it, I get sick again… [I don't eat pasta very often, so I didn't put 2 and 2 together until today] It only dawned on me today to check the ingredient list and right in the middle it says ‘barley malt extract.’ I’m not 100% sure that’s the culprit, but I made pasta last night and had the leftovers for lunch today… I wasn’t feeling great this morning [decent amount of discomfort from bloating] and after lunch today I had to lie down when I got home from work because standing upright was too painful.
There really isn’t much info out there, but I’m going to eat the bolognese sauce I made with brown rice tomorrow and see if I have the same problems – if not, then I know it was the pasta… it literally feels like I ate a bowl of barley, which I haven’t done in over 5 years because I can’t stand feeling like this… Up until recently I thought I had a gluten issue, but I can have oatmeal just fine, as well as whole grain bread, crackers, etc. in moderation without incident.
healthnuttxo // November 6, 2009 at 1:39 am
im unsure, but i think i may have a malt allergy as well. i was tested for celiacs, came back negative, but i get really bad bloating and stomache problems after i eat malt, especially in granola bars or whole wheat cereals.
i suspect an allergy-it makes me feel crappy all day!
anyone have stomach issues with the malt?
Helena // November 6, 2009 at 4:25 am
Update on my story – it was definitely the pasta. Anything barley or malt related seems to get me so I’m reading labels for everything and if I see a hint of ‘malt’ in any of the ingredients I skip it – no problems since. I remember having a very painful reaction to sugar-free chocolates years ago that were sweetened with Maltitol – as the first ingredient. No wonder!
Susan Francis // November 6, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Jamie, Yes,it definitely can cause anger… my mouth just says everything I think, and my brain knows it should not be said. Also it can cause rashes, serious headaches, like an enormous hangover, which can last for days and
days!!I have been known to vomit etc., amongst other unmentionable things !! Chewing gum is a culprit..(maltitol and manitol ) and anything that says barley malt extract.(even some Xmas pudds and mincemeat. So beware all you fellow sufferers !! We are not alone !!
Val // November 7, 2009 at 3:39 am
I have been having a reaction since Halloween. I originally thought it was the two Reese cups I ate… peanut butter. I threw the rest away days ago.
The rash has been getting worse and the steroids the dermatologist gives me (I have a lot of allergic reactions) aren’t working.
I got to thinking I have been eating Whoppers (leftover Halloween candy). I have a lot of food allergy and sensitivities. But I had never heard of a “malt” allergy. I have bumps on my face and neck and it is itching more and more. I have been taking several antihistamines also, but it keeps itching more.
So I believe I can’t eat any more Whoppers. Great, and my favorite cookies have soy in them and it tears my stomach up in no time flat. (soy, wheat, milk, the soy seems to be the worst of those).
We really need to get a list of all the “hidden” names for malt and what it is typically in.