Food allergy or food intolerance?
Food allergy or food intolerance?
Food Allergy
Food allergy involves the immune system reacting to proteins in certain foods. Symptoms can appear within minutes to an hour (IgE mediated) or be more delayed (non-IgE mediated) and may include:
- Itching, swelling or rashes
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Breathing difficulties
- In severe cases, anaphylaxis
Common food allergy triggers in adults include:
- Raw fruits and vegetables
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Tree nuts
- Peanuts
- Seeds
- Legumes, such as lentils and peas
Can tests help to diagnose food allergies?
Skin prick tests and allergy blood tests can be useful for diagnosing IgE mediated food allergy.
There a no reliable tests for the delayed symptoms seen in non-IgE mediated allergic reactions.
Food Intolerance
Food intolerance does not involve the immune system. Symptoms are often gut related and can vary greatly between individuals. Common examples include:
Lactose intolerance – difficulty digesting dairy products
Histamine intolerance – reactions to cured, aged and fermented foods
Salicylate sensitivity – sensitivity to naturally occurring compounds in some fruits, vegetables and spices
Can tests help to diagnose food allergies?
No , there are currently no reliable tests available to diagnose food intolerances.
Diagnosis is made based on a process of elimination and reintroduction.
I can help you to:
- decide whether testing will be helpful and refer you on if appropriate.
- diagnose and help you to manage food intolerances