Food Allergies vs. Food Sensitivity

When we were first diagnosed with a food allergy for peanuts I had not realized that there were different levels of allergic, and some allergies were classified as sensitivities vs. an allergy.

A Food Allergy is defined as an exaggerated immune response triggered by eggs, peanuts, milk, or some other specific food. While a Food Sensitivity or Intolerance is defined as an unpleasant reaction to food that, unlike a food allergy, does not involve an immune system response or the release of histamine. Many food intolerances are caused by deficiencies or reactions in the digestive tract. Lactose intolerance (caused by an enzyme deficiency) and celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder characterized by the inability to digest wheat, rye, and barley) are among the most common food intolerances.

So how do we know the difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity reaction?

Food Allergies vs. Food Sensitivities

Food allergic reactions come on suddenly usually within the first two hours of exposure. They can be triggered by a small amount of the allergen and happen every time the allergen is consumed or exposed. Food allergies can be life threatening leading to anaphylaxis.

Food sensitive reactions usually come on gradually up to 72 hours after consuming the food item. They may be triggered by consuming a large quantity of the food item, or consuming it often in a short amount of time. Food sensitive reactions are not considered life threatening because they do not lead to anaphylaxis.

Shared Symptoms vs. Different Symptoms

Food allergic reactions and food sensitive reactions share some of the same symptoms. Both reactions can result in nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Food allergic reactions also can result in rashes, hives, itching skin, swelling, shortness of breath, chest pains, sudden drop in blood pressure, and trouble swallowing and/or breathing.

Food sensitive reactions can also result in gas, cramping, bloating, heartburn, headaches, joint pain, IRB, weight gain, low mood, eczema, irritability or nervousness.

Symptom Causing Allergens

Some of the main causes for food allergic reactions include peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, milk and eggs.

Some of the main causes for food sensitive reactions include milk, soy, egg, wheat, fruit and vegetables.

Treatment

While food allergies and food sensitivities are treated with the same method of avoidance. Food allergies are considered lifelong and persistent, while food sensitivities are considered to clear up after avoidance.

Wither you have a food allergy or a food sensitivity you are limited in what you can eat, or how much you can eat of a certain food. We should all be listening to our bodies, believe me they talk back.

Since food allergies are usually easy to distinguish, and sensitivities can be harder to prove, I recommend keeping a food journal. You don't have to do anything fancy, just get a note book from the school section and keep track of what you ate, how much and if you have any of the symptoms listed above. If you start to notice patterns such as every time you have a bowl of cereal with milk your stomach feels bloated and cramping, you may want to skip the milk for a while are test nondairy products on you morning cereal. Or if you have eaten a large bowl of soup with noodles everyday for  lunch and are feeling the stresses of IRB, you may want to try a different lunch for a while.

Keeping a food journal is also a great way to show your doctor that you are having difficulties, and they may see a pattern that you didn't. Remember that food allergies and sensitivities can be managed but only if they are recognized.