People often confuse and interchange the terms “food allergy” and “food
intolerance” but there are distinct differences between the two, including what
symptoms are presented, that everyone should be aware of to be better informed
about the health concerns and signs associated with both.
When someone is allergic to a certain food or foods, an offensive
response in their immune system is triggered to fight off the food it mistakes
for a threat and reactions to this threat can affect the whole body. When
someone is intolerant to a certain food or foods, their body is unable to
properly digest what is causing the intolerance and is followed by symptoms that
usually affect the stomach and digestive system.
Other major differences between the two are symptoms for food
allergies usually come on suddenly, and an allergic reaction can be triggered
by even the smallest amount or trace of food. Also, a food allergy can be life
threatening because symptoms can include a sudden drop in blood pressure,
difficulty swallowing or breathing or anaphylaxis.
However, symptoms of a food intolerance are not life-threatening
and they are known to gradually develop over time. Usually symptoms of a food
intolerance begin hours after the food is consumed, and can last for hours or
days. Symptoms of a food intolerance have even showed up in some cases 48 hours
after the trigger food was consumed. People with food intolerances may also
still be able to eat foods, in very small amounts, that cause a intolerant-like
reaction because it may only happen if a lot of a certain food is consumed.
This makes food intolerances much more difficult to diagnose than
a food allergy.
Also unlike food allergies there is a possibility for a person’s
tolerance to improve. Once a food intolerance is identified and eliminated from
a diet, the person who was once affected by the trigger may no longer
experience intolerant symptoms after they reintroduce the food.
Food intolerances are much more common than food allergies and it
is also not unlikely for someone to have an intolerance to more than one type
of food or food groups. While the symptoms for a food allergy and a food
intolerance may overlap slightly, people who suffer from food intolerances may
have general symptoms that can be mistaken for other ailments like irritable
bowel syndrome or other gastrointestinal problems.
The following are some common symptoms that can be attributed to a
food intolerance:
- Asthma-like
Symptoms: Some people who suffer from a food intolerance have asthma-like
symptoms when they are exposed to the trigger food including problems breathing
normally.
- Digestive Issues:
A food intolerance can trigger a number of problems with a person’s
digestive system including nausea, gas, bloating, diarrhea, cramps and vomiting.
- Headaches/Migraines
- Heartburn
- Irritability
- Rapid Breathing
- Skin Reactions:
Food intolerances do not always cause symptoms that are just internal.
They also have the capability to be reflected by symptoms that appear on the
skin. Conditions like eczema, rosacea, and even acne can all be triggered
by a food you didn’t even know you were intolerant to.
- Sweating
