Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerance Make an Appointment Ask a Question Search Conditions This information has been reviewed and approved by Kanao Otsu, MD, MPH (April 2019). Food Allergy or Intolerance Almost 20 percent of adults believe they have a food allergy — half of them are wrong. Food Allergies can be life-threatening Food Intolerance is not life-threatening Most Common Foods Milk Egg Peanuts Tree Nuts Fish Shellfish Soy Wheat Dairy Grains Gluten Beans Cabbage Symptoms Mouth/Stomach Itching, tingling, burning, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Respiratory Congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, throat swelling, wheezing and/or difficulty breathing Heart Lightheadedness, fainting, low blood pressure and shock Skin Itching, flushing (redness), hives and swelling Brain Headaches, nervousness, irritability Respiratory Throat tightness, coughing Stomach Swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas cramps Reaction A molecule of food can cause a reaction within minutes, up to 24 hours. Food allergy reactions occur 100% of the time and are immediate. One bite to a full plate of food can take hours up to several days. Food intolerance or sensitivity is noticed hours after eating. Causes The body’s reaction to food proteins Immune system involved Lack of digestive enzymes Foods that irritate the digestive system Immune system not involved Diagnosis Blood test Skin prick test Food diary Elimination diet Food challenge Food diary Elimination diet Food challenge Treatment Avoid all traces of food allergen Antihistamine and injectable epinephrine for accidental exposure. Eat only as much of the offending food that you can tolerate More Information on Food Allergies What are food allergies? FAQs about food allergies Symptoms of food allergies Treatment for food allergies Anaphylaxis Epinephrine injections Food Allergy Recommendations Food Allergy-Safe Recipes Food Allergy Treatment Program Allergy Treatment Programs (Pediatric & Adult) Division of Pediatric Allergy & Clinical Immunology Division of Allergy & Clinical Immunology Find a Doctor Make an Appointment Want to use this on your website? Fill out the content usage request form and then copy this code: