There is a huge distinction between food allergy and food intolerance. But then a lot of people have concluded to themselves that they have food allergy rather than seeking medical help.

Mechanism of the reaction

Food intolerance should not be confused with food allergies. Food intolerance is also a hypersensitivity to a certain food. However, the causes are different. Intolerance occurs probably due to problems in metabolism or digestion such as in cases of lactose intolerance, and phenylketonuria.

On the other hand, food allergy is an immediate reaction of the body due to the ingestion of food proteins. The hypersensitive immune system identifies the food protein as a harmful foreign substance causing a series of chemical and cellular reactions resulting into the release of chemical mediators that triggers the symptoms. The common offenders are:

• Seafood, especially shellfish (lobster, crab, shrimp, fish, clams)
• Legumes (peanuts, beans, peas)
• Seeds (sesame, mustard, flaxseed, sunflower seeds)
• Nuts
• Berries
• Milk
• Egg (egg white)
• Wheat
• Chocolate

Symptoms may vary among people. They may range from simple rashes to full blown anaphylaxis which needs immediate intervention. The most common symptoms are:

• Hives
• Edema (localized or generalized)
• Itchiness
• Warmth
• Swelling
• Redness
• Eczema
• Abdominal cramping
• Diarrhea

What your Doctor can do for you

A real food allergy can easily kill a person in a matter of minutes. Hence, immediate assessment and diagnosis is very important before doing any intervention. In emergency cases, the diagnosis is primarily based on physical assessment and medical history. Skin and blood tests may also be performed to determine the cause of the allergy. Minor reactions are usually harmless, and symptoms can be relieved by antihistamines and corticosteroids. Severe cases (anaphylaxis) require the administration of epinephrine to open up the airways. Desensitization or Immunotherapy is also recommended to decrease the severity of the reactions in the future. 

What you can do

Avoidance therapy is always the best measure for the prevention of any allergic reaction. Consult an allergist for you to determine the specific allergen you are allergic to. If you have serious allergies, inform your family in order for you to be provided with a special diet preparation. Some allergens may be hidden in other food. Previous contamination of utensils and equipment with allergens during the preparation of another food product is enough to cause severe reactions in susceptible persons. Take precautionary measures, and always bring an emergency kit (containing EpiPen) with you.