Ep 7: Is It Food Intolerance or a Food Allergy?
How do you know if the reaction is a food intolerance or a food allergy? This is a fairly common misunderstanding, and I hope to clear a few things up for you today.
Food allergies and food intolerances might look similar sometimes, but they are actually very different. And the distinctions are important.
Food allergies involve your immune system, while food intolerances affect your digestive system. Both have overlapping symptoms, and it is very important to get checked out by a doctor (preferably an allergist). Food allergy reactions vary and are unpredictable – ranging from a few hives to loss of consciousness [1]. We have experienced a range of reactions, and my boys have been fortunate to have received medical attention in time.
The time between consumption and reaction varies between the two. With an intolerance, you might not see a reaction for several hours; however, a food allergen will cause a reaction within 30 minutes to 2 hours [2]. Each time that Riley has had a run-in with eggs (or an egg product or cross-contamination), he has had a nearly immediate reaction. I can’t think of a single instance where he did not know within 5 minutes of a problem.
The consumed amount is potentially the biggest distinction between an intolerance and allergy. With an intolerance, you might be able to eat smaller amounts in order to prevent a reaction… or you can typically consume a fair amount of the food before the reaction begins. Allergies do not work that way. The smallest amount can cause a reaction. When we were going through the soy test (see Ep 6: OIT), the test began with one drop of soy milk. One drop! It actually doesn’t even take that much for those with a severe allergy (like Riley). He can’t eat something if it was prepared in a dish that once had an egg product in it for fear of the protein lingering.
Remember, if there is a food that bothers you, go get tested by an allergist. Food allergies can develop anytime, even in adulthood. And every 3 minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to the ER [3].
[1] https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/what-food-allergy
[2] Food Allergy vs. Intolerance: What’s the Difference? – Cleveland Clinic
