Food Allergy Versus Sensitivity - An Overview

Introduction

Certain foods an individual consumes show physical reactions, which is very common. However, most of these are caused by food sensitivity rather than food allergies. People are often confused because food allergies and sensitivities show similar signs and symptoms. The immune system is genuinely affected by food allergies because even small amounts of the offending food can trigger their symptoms, leading to severe or life-threatening conditions.

But in the case of food intolerance, people can eat small amounts of the offending food without trouble. And it also helps to prevent the reaction. For example, people can drink lactose free-milk or take lactase enzyme pills to help digestion even though they can be lactose-intolerant.

How Can an Individual Understand the Symptoms and Causes of Food Allergy and Food Sensitivity?

1. Food Allergy:

• Food allergies are seen in individuals when their immune system mistakes the protein or other ingredient in the food as a threat. 90 percent of food allergies are commonly seen in people consuming eight types of foods, which include:

1. Peanut.

2. Shellfish.

3. Soy.

4. Wheat.

5. Tree nuts like cashews and walnuts.

6. Egg.

7. Fish.

8. Milk.

• When an individual shows symptoms quickly within 30 minutes to two hours after consuming a food, it is defined as a food allergy.

• After consuming the offending food, an immediate immune response occurs through a reaction.

• This reaction can be fatal for an individual if not treated immediately with epinephrine or adrenaline injection.

Causes of Food Allergy:

• Most food allergic reactions are seen in individuals consuming peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, cow's milk, soy, wheat, shellfish, and sesame seeds.

• Approximately one in four children show peanut allergy, considered one of the most common allergies in older children.

Symptoms of Food Allergy:

Mild to moderate symptoms caused due to food allergy includes:

• Tingling mouth.

• Hives or welts.

• Swelling of lips, face, eyes.

• Vomiting and abdominal pain.

Some of the signs of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) includes:

• Swelling or tightness in the throat.

• Swelling of the tongue.

• Difficulty or noisy breathing.

• Pale and floppy young children.

• Persistent dizziness or collapses.

• Wheeze or persistent cough.

• Difficulty in talking and hoarse voice.

2. Food Sensitivity:

• People usually think that food sensitivity and intolerance are combined in the same category.

• But, according to a Jaeger scientist's definition, food sensitivity is also an immune response. Still, it is a much slower response than an allergy, often due to some imbalance in the gastrointestinal tract.

Causes of Food Sensitivity:

Sensitive people show specific intolerance or sensitivity by intake of certain foods, which include:

• Eggs, mainly egg white.

• Flavor enhancers such as MSG (Monosodium glutamate e621).

• Chocolates.

• Food additives.

• Dairy products include milk, cheese, and yogurt.

• Histamines and other amines in some foods.

• Wine, particularly red wine.

• Strawberries, citrus fruits, and tomatoes.

Symptoms of Food Sensitivity:

Some of the symptoms of food sensitivity are given below:

• Sweating.

• Tremors.

• Nervousness.

• Rapid breathing.

• Palpitation.

• Diarrhea.

• Allergy-like reactions.

• Breathing problems-asthma like symptoms.

• Tightness across chest and face.

• Burning sensation of the tongue.

• Headache- migraine.

How to Know That an Individual Has a Food Allergy and Food Sensitivity?

• People can seek help from a healthcare provider to determine whether allergy or sensitivity is present in them.

• And then work together to establish a plan to help control their symptoms.

• Individual daily living activities keep them aside from their symptoms, So they plan where and how long they are going out because they need to go to the bathroom.

• Individuals need to go to the bathroom should be planned before going out because their daily living activities are disturbed by their symptoms.

• So these tiny activities should not be considered a usual symptom by people, and they should immediately consult the professional without hesitation or being calm.

• Then it is time for people to consult professionals, as it is not a usual symptom for people to be quiet.

• Given below are some ways to diagnose food allergy and food sensitivity:

1. People Should Try an Elimination Diet:

• To pinpoint the cause of discomfort to the people, one should work with their health care provider to start an elimination diet.

• When an individual eats certain foods, these symptoms will stop appearing when they stop eating those foods and reoccur when it is reintroduced.

• This part of the resolving process helps to identify food sensitivity.

2. Everyone Should Keep and Follow a Diary Every Day:

• People should habitually record food diaries whenever they show symptoms of consuming certain foods.

• It is easy to determine food sensitivity if people notice certain foods or ingredients consistently giving them food sensitivity.

• So everyone should ask themselves to identify the particular food sensitivity, like what type of foods and how an individual feels after eating certain foods, and what symptoms are showing after the intake of certain foods.

• Jaeger says that "in the past, individuals can help gather essential information about how the symptoms are started and their pattern of development."

3. Allergy Test Helps to Diagnose Food Allergy:

• Allergy skin tests identify the body's reaction to allergens.

• The immune system produces elevated levels of allergy antibodies in an individual's body, which blood tests can determine.

• The exact scientific reason is not possible to determine the cause of food intolerance and sensitivity.

• Also, diagnosing lactose intolerance in people can be done by a hydrogen breath test, but it is not a proven skin or blood test.

• The whole picture of determining allergens has yet to be proven. However, there are few tests available that help to guide.

• So, Jaeger says," one can help to put the puzzle pieces together in their part, but they cannot help to identify the definitive path."

How Can Individuals Manage Their Body Reactions to Certain Foods?

It is challenging to find out the source of their symptoms and then prevent them in the future from reappearing, but it will be accessible once they identify the culprit. Here are some ways how to prevent and manage their symptoms:

1. An Individual Should Carry an Epinephrine Auto-Injector:

• People should always carry some epinephrine-auto injectors like AUVI-Q and EpiPen if they have an allergy to specific foods at all times.

• And also, be sure that both individuals and their closest member should know how to use these injectors.

2. Over-The-Counter Medication Should Try by Every Individual Exhibiting These Symptoms:

• Food intolerance or sensitivity can be reduced or avoided with the help of certain medications in a few cases.

• Individuals can occasionally enjoy dairy foods like milk, cheese, and ice-creams without any side effects, as seen in individuals taking over-the-counter medication for lactose intolerance like Lactaid.

3. People Should Avoid Offending Foods:

• Avoiding certain foods is the best preventive method for checking allergens and sensitivity.

• In different words, Jager says," one can quickly clear the substance which bothers them by avoiding it altogether."

Conclusion

Understanding common food reactions is challenging for the individual because it is time-consuming to identify the cause of food allergy or sensitivity. But the effort and time spent by an individual on this process is a worthy thing. When people recognize the problem about the foods or foods that trigger it, they must inform a physician or nutritionist, which helps to develop the most comprehensive diet that is safe for them.