Food allergies and food intolerances are two different forms of unpleasant reactions that can develop when particular foods are consumed. While they may exhibit certain symptoms in common, they have distinct underlying causes and implications.

FOOD ALLERGIES

A food allergy is an immune system reaction to certain proteins found in foods. When a person who has a food allergy consumes the allergenic food, their immune system responds by generating antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE). This immunological reaction causes the release of different substances, including histamine, resulting in a variety of symptoms. Food allergies commonly cause the following symptoms.

Itchy skin, hives, eczema, or swelling (angioedema) are examples of skin reactions. Sneezing, runny nose, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath are all respiratory symptoms. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort are gastrointestinal symptoms.

Cardiovascular symptoms include rapid heart rate and low blood pressure (anaphylaxis in extreme situations). While allergies tend to run in families, it is hard to anticipate whether a kid will inherit a parent’s food allergy or whether siblings will be affected in the same way. According to some research, the younger siblings of a child with a peanut allergy are likewise allergic to peanuts.

FOOD INTOLERANCE

Food intolerance is characterized by difficulties digesting or metabolizing specific meals, which can result in a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Food intolerances, unlike food allergies, do not involve the immune system’s response and are often not life-threatening. Instead, they are frequently caused by the body’s inability to adequately break down or metabolize particular food components, such as carbohydrates, proteins, or chemicals.

Common type of food intolerances are.

Lactose Intolerance: This is the most commonly encountered type of food intolerance. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body does not produce enough lactase, an enzyme required to break down lactose, a sugar present in milk and dairy products. Bloating, gas, diarrhea, and stomach cramps may occur after eating dairy products.

Fructose Intolerance: Some people have trouble absorbing fructose, a sugar present in fruits and vegetables. This might result in bloating, gas, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

Histamine Intolerance: Histamine is a substance found in many foods that is implicated in allergic reactions. Some people may have a diminished ability to break down histamine, resulting in symptoms including headaches, hives, stomach difficulties, and nasal congestion after eating histamine-rich meals.

Also Read: Innate Immunity vs Adaptive Immunity- 35 Differences

No.	Aspect	Food Allergies	Food Intolerance
1	Immune Response	Involves the immune system’s response to a specific protein in a food	Does not involve the immune system
2	Mechanism	IgE antibodies are produced in response to the allergen	Enzyme deficiencies, chemical reactions, or sensitivity
3	Symptoms	Can range from mild hives to severe anaphylaxis	Generally less severe, often gastrointestinal symptoms
4	Onset of Symptoms	Rapid onset, often within minutes or hours after exposure	Delayed onset, may take hours or days
5	Common Allergens	Peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, eggs, milk, wheat	Lactose, fructose, histamine, additives
6	Severity	Can be life-threatening	Generally not life-threatening
7	Reaction Threshold	Small amounts can trigger severe reactions	Tolerance level varies, larger amounts may cause symptoms
8	Immune Mechanism	Involves IgE-mediated immune response	Immune response not typically involved
9	Histamine Release	Common in allergic reactions	Not typically associated with histamine release
10	Respiratory Symptoms	Common, such as wheezing, shortness of breath	Uncommon
11	Gastrointestinal Symptoms	Less common, but can include nausea, vomiting	Common, including bloating, diarrhea, gas
12	Skin Reactions	Hives, rash, eczema, itching	Not typically associated with skin reactions
13	Systemic Symptoms	Anaphylaxis, swelling, lowered blood pressure	Mainly gastrointestinal and digestive symptoms
14	Testing Methods	Skin prick tests, blood tests (IgE levels)	Elimination diets, clinical observations
15	Diagnosis Process	Often involves allergist consultation and testing	May require trial and error with elimination diets
16	Management	Strict avoidance of allergen	Avoidance, moderation, enzyme supplements
17	Cross-Reactivity	Cross-reactivity among related allergens is common	Not usually associated with cross-reactivity
18	Immune Memory	Immune memory may cause repeat reactions to the same allergen	No immune memory, symptoms may vary
19	Genetic Predisposition	Often has a genetic component	Genetics may play a role in some cases
20	Long-Term Implications	Risk of severe reactions upon exposure to allergen	Symptoms may persist or improve over time
21	Lifespan Impact	Lifelong condition, but some may outgrow allergies	May be a lifelong issue, but can be managed
22	Immune Response Type	Immediate hypersensitivity reaction	Non-immune responses
23	Reaction Mechanism	Mast cell degranulation, histamine release	Enzyme deficiency, metabolic reactions
24	Testing Availability	Allergy tests widely available and used	Limited and may require specialized testing
25	Severity of Skin Reactions	Often severe skin reactions	Mild skin reactions possible
26	Therapeutic Approach	Epinephrine (for severe reactions), antihistamines	Dietary changes, enzyme supplements
27	Gastrointestinal Reactions	Less common	Common, often related to digestive processes
28	Population Prevalence	Affects a smaller percentage of the population	Affects a larger portion of the population
29	Digestive Symptoms Mechanism	Not typically associated with food intolerances	Often related to enzyme deficiencies
30	Vomiting and Diarrhea	Less common	Common, especially in lactose intolerance
31	Severity of Symptoms	Can range from mild to severe	Generally milder symptoms compared to allergies
32	Management Strategy	Strict avoidance is not always necessary	Avoidance or moderation of trigger foods
33	Inflammation Involvement	May involve immune-mediated inflammation	Not typically associated with inflammation
34	Relation to Autoimmune Disease	Can trigger autoimmune responses in some cases	Generally not linked to autoimmune diseases
35	Age of Onset	Can develop at any age	May develop later in life or after certain triggers
36	Diagnostic Complexity	Complex diagnostic process	Diagnosing may be less straightforward
37	Mucosal Involvement	May affect mucosal membranes	Less commonly associated with mucosal reactions
38	Prevalence in Children	More common in children	Common in both children and adults

Also Read: B Cells vs T Cells- Definition and 25 Key Differences

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How is a food allergy identified?

Skin prick testing, blood tests measuring particular antibodies, and oral meal challenges under physician supervision can all be used to diagnose food allergies.

What exactly is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapid-onset allergic reaction that affects several body systems. It can induce breathing difficulties, a reduction in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. It necessitates an immediate epinephrine injection as well as emergency medical attention.

How are food allergies dealt with?

Management entails avoiding allergenic foods as strictly as possible, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (if prescribed), and teaching others about the allergy.

Are food intolerances a severe problem?

Food intolerances, unlike allergies, can cause discomfort and have an influence on quality of life. The symptoms vary and might impact the digestive system, the skin, and other organs.

Can food allergies evolve over time?

Some food intolerances can shift. Lactose intolerance, for example, might occur later in life due to decreased lactase synthesis.

Is it possible to treat food allergies or intolerances?

There is currently no cure for food allergies. Some people can manage their intolerances by avoiding trigger foods or taking enzyme supplements.

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