Food Allergies and Food Intolerances

Food allergy or food intolerance? 

     These two can be confused because they often have the same signs and symptoms. A food allergy causes an immune system reaction that can affect multiple organs in the body. An allergic reaction can sometimes cause a severe or life threatening reaction such an anaphylaxis. Your body can go into anaphylaxis after mere seconds of being presented with a food or something else you are allergic to such as a bee sting or medication. Chemicals are released by your immune system that causes shock, you blood pressure drops and your airways are restricted, preventing you from breathing normally. (Mayo Clinic)  Food intolerances symptoms are more common and normally less serious. Food intolerances usually cause digestive issues. Different from an allergic reaction, a food intolerance reaction may not occur for hours after eating the food. The symptoms that follow could also last hours or into the following day or days. (Allergy UK)  

What are the symptoms of food intolerance?

     There can be many symptoms of food intolerance that affect your body both internally and externally. Both food allergies and intolerances can cause symptoms related to digestion, these can include nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea and/or vomiting. Food intolerances can also cause gas, cramps, bloating, heartburn, headaches, irritability and/or nervousness.  Other symptoms may affect other regions of the body such as a rash, hives, itchy skin, shortness of breath, your heart beating fast and/or chest pain. (WebMD)  

What are the most common food allergies/intolerances?

     The most common triggers include peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk, eggs, soy and wheat. The most common food intolerance is lactose intolerance, where people can't digest a sugar in milk called lactose. (WebMD)

How do I know if I have an allergy or intolerance?

     For some, an allergy test will detail if you have a food and/or environmental allergy. An allergist can do a skin or blood test. In skin testing a small drop of liquid food extract is put onto your skin and then the skin is pricked to see if there is a reaction within minutes. There will be a raised red bump if you are allergic to that food. (American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology) The allergist may also do a blood test to see if there are any allergies. Blood tests are usually more expensive and take longer to yield results. The test measures the presence of IgE (immunoglobulin E) antibodies, which are the antibodies that cause food allergy symptoms. (foodallergy.org) For food intolerances, there are also blood tests such as the ALCAT test that measures live blood cells and how your white blood cells react to each of the different substances being tested. You can learn more about the ALCAT test here http://whatsmyfoodintolerance.com/#section2. Lastly, you may keep a food journal of everything you are eating and reactions you may have. This may be able to narrow down the list of foods that are causing sensitivities.