Food Intolerance vs. Food Allergy: Key Differences and How to Manage Both

Published on: 18th September 2024
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Zainab Alhuishmawi

Do you know food allergy is different from food intolerance? While the former elicits a response from the immune system, the latter may cause digestive system issues. In both cases, the body releases antibodies. The symptoms of the two could be similar like stomach pain, uneasiness, nausea, etc. However, there are some clear distinctions between these health problems, which we will further discuss in the blog below.

Food Intolerance: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Tests

If you have a food intolerance, it means that your digestive system is unable to break down certain food components, leading to hypersensitivity to that item. Thus, when you eat that particular food, there could be signs of stomach discomfort. Let us take a closer look at food hypersensitivity:

Common Causes of Food Intolerance

People with food hypersensitivity do not produce a particular enzyme that is needed for the digestion of food. Gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease are more susceptible to food sensitivities. Other causes are:

Histamine: Histamine is a natural chemical found in foods such as pineapple, bananas, cheese, chocolate, some white and red wines, and avocados. Those intolerant to histamine cannot produce enough diamine oxidase enzyme to digest the chemical.
Lactose: If you are intolerant to lactose, your system does not produce a sufficient amount of lactase enzyme to break lactose for digestion. Lactose is present in dairy products and milk.
Gluten: Gluten is a protein present in barley, rye, and wheat. Those with gluten sensitivity are a type of autoimmune disease, wherein the body cannot break down this protein.

Symptoms of Food Hypersensitivity

You may encounter some unpleasantness after consuming food you are sensitive to. Here are some of food intolerance symptoms commonly visible in the affected person:

Stomach upset
Heartburn
Abdominal pain and cramps
Bloating and gas
Diarrhea
Nausea
Migraines and headaches

Food Intolerance Tests and Diagnosis

The most common food intolerance test is the hydrogen breath test. It can help identify lactose hypersensitivity. You may have to drink a beverage containing lactose and after every half an hour, breathe in a balloon-like container, for a few hours. In case of intolerance, the hydrogen levels will rise in your breath, and you may show signs of overreaction.

As for histamine and gluten intolerance, there are no specific food intolerance tests. It is advisable to keep track of food items you have had an adverse reaction to for a ready reference.
You can even remove the food items that show intolerance symptoms, from your diet for a few weeks.
If the discomfort disappears, and returns after restarting the food consumption, it means you are hypersensitive to that item.

Food Allergy: Common Allergens, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Tests

If your immune system overreacts to any food component or item you consume, it can lead to serious consequences. If not addressed on time, it can even lead to death. Here is a detailed understanding of an allergic reaction to food items:

Common Food Allergies List

If your immune system reacts to a particular irritant or allergenic protein, you may notice food allergy rash, hives on the skin, breathing troubles, and other problems. Here is a food allergy list to know:

Mustard
Tree nuts
Fish
Eggs
Peanuts
Soy
Milk
Crustaceans and mollusks
Sulphite
Sesame seeds
Wheat and triticale

Food Allergy Testing and Diagnosis

Your immune system produces allergy antibodies. This can be tested through a blood test. Also, allergy skin testing can detect your body’s response to allergens. You can choose at-home food allergy tests but it’s advisable to get a clinical examination instead. If you have lactose intolerance, then a hydrogen breath test is helpful.

Symptoms of Food Allergy

Your body can show some reactions to food you are allergic to. Here is a list of food hypersensitivity signs to watch out for:

Body rash
Coughing
Hives
Food skin allergy like redness, itching
Anaphylaxis
Vomiting
Drop in blood pressure
Tightness in the throat
Breathing trouble
Stomach ache

Food Intolerance and Food Allergy: Know the Differences

People may use food allergy and food intolerance as interchangeable terms. But both are different in many aspects. Release of antibodies is common when reacting to foreign invaders, here are some distinctive characteristics:

A food allergy produces IgE antibodies, giving rise to fast reactions with symptoms appearing immediately, while food intolerance releases IgG antibodies with slow reactions, where the symptoms show up late.
Allergy to a food is the result of a reaction from the immune system. However, food intolerance is related to issues digesting certain foods, irritating the digestive system.
You can consume small amounts of food safely in case of hypersensitivity to food, but that’s not true for allergens.
While food allergy symptoms are serious and could be life-threatening, food hypersensitivity symptoms are severe but not life-threatening.
Trigger foods causing food skin allergy and other symptoms are rich in fructose, FODMAP (items with a type of carbohydrate your body finds difficult to absorb), gluten, preservatives, and histamine.

Managing Food Allergies and Food Intolerance

It is important to deal with symptoms of allergy and intolerance to food as soon as possible. Here are some of the tips for managing a food allergy and food intolerance at home:

To manage food hypersensitivity, you can eliminate or restrict problematic foods. If you want to remove mild symptoms, you can use OTC medicines such as antidiarrheal and antacids.
Those with lactose intolerance can consume dairy products and milk, free of lactose. You may even consider lactase enzymes from your pharmacist.
You may use lactase pills when having dairy items, or add lactose drops to milk to help digest lactose.
To manage an allergic reaction to food, avoid the allergen altogether. In case of a reaction, you may use epinephrine autoinjectors or antihistamines (combats congestion and itching).
To deal with a food allergy, you may depend on epinephrine (reverses effects of anaphylaxis) and corticosteroids (reduces serious allergic reactions and swellings).

Food Intolerance Test by First Response Healthcare

For those dealing with food intolerances, First Response Healthcare offers convenient and personalized food intolerance testing services right in the comfort of your home. Their expert team provides comprehensive testing and tailored advice to help you identify specific food triggers and manage symptoms effectively. With professional support and a focus on individualized care, First Response Healthcare ensures that you receive accurate results and practical solutions to enhance your well-being and quality of life. To schedule a food intolerance test at home, simply contact First Response Healthcare and enjoy expert care delivered directly to your door.

Conclusion: Living Healthy with Food Allergy and Intolerance

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, About 6% of children experience food allergic reactions in the first three years of life, including approximately 2.5% with cow’s milk allergy, 1.5% with egg allergy, and 1% with peanut allergy. Studies have shown that peanut allergy prevalence increased over the past decade. Most children tend to outgrow milk and egg allergies by school age. In contrast, children with peanut, nut, or seafood allergies retain their allergy for life.

While a food allergy and food hypersensitivity may cause health issues, you can reduce the incidences, and eliminate the problems by following the above-mentioned tips, prevention strategies, treatment, and precautions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the First Step in the Treatment of Food Allergies?

Avoid the allergen to protect from the food allergy, or if there is a reaction, then use emergency medicine such as epinephrine to recover from anaphylaxis.

Q. How Can You Prevent Allergic Reactions From Occurring?

To prevent an allergic reaction to food, be mindful to read the ingredients on the food item’s label before purchase. When eating out, always let the cook know to avoid adding the items you are allergic to.

Q. What is the Difference Between Food Intolerance and an Allergy?

As discussed above, food allergy causes a reaction from the immune system, while food intolerance causes digestive issues, leading to gas, bloating, stomach ache, etc.

References and Citations:

National Library of medicine: Food Allergies