There is a distinct difference between CD and wheat allergy. CD is a permanent adverse reaction to gluten (a protein present in wheat, barley, oats, and rye) and this disease requires a lifelong restriction to Gluten.

Wheat Allergy on the other hand is an immune response to wheat protein and may cause some symptoms similar to that caused by CD but the symptoms will persist only for a short time after the consumption of wheat. The reaction has skin manifestations like urticaria, atopic eczema, angioedema, gastrointestinal manifestations like oral allergy syndrome, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomitting and respiratory symptoms like asthma and allergic rhinitis.These reactions may be mild to severe but it is limited and unlike CD does not cause damage to the intestinal lining. People usually outgrow this condition with time.

The other names for Celiac Disease include Celiac Sprue, Gluten Enteropathy, Gluten Sensitivity.In northern parts of India, it is also referred to as Summer Diarrhea.