Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerance

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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

 

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