Food Allergy Versus Food Intolerance
Among the allergies rampant in American lives today, food allergy is one of the top three. However, some people misdiagnose food allergy as food intolerance. There are certain similarities but one must be careful in administering medicines to a person with an allergy.
The wrong medicine for the wrong condition can increase the allergic symptom resulting in anaphylaxis and even death. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction where all the symptoms swiftly attack the entire body all at the same time.
Symptoms Of Food Allergy
Food allergy is an allergic reaction to certain types of food. The most common food allergens are: cow's milk, wheat, peanuts and other tree nuts, eggs, fish, soybeans, shellfish, meat and certain types of drugs. The allergic reaction can vary depending on the type of allergen but they have the same number of symptoms:
- Rashes or hives begins to appear on the skin. In extreme cases, the swelling and hives can spread to the entire body. - Swelling of the certain areas near the mouth. - Swelling of the ear - Redness and itchiness of the eyes. - Runny nose - Vomiting and diarrhea - Difficulty in breathing and wheezing, sometime signs of asthma
Food intolerance has much of the same symptoms except the runny nose and watery eyes. Most often, food intolerance results in diarrhea and swelling of certain areas of the body.
Aside for the similarities in symptoms, a food allergy is more severe than food intolerance. Someone with food intolerance can eat small portions of the food he is allergic to. They can still enjoy the food, though in small quantities. But to a person with food allergy, that small portion can immediately trigger an allergic reaction. And if not treated at once, the patients can go into anaphylaxis.
What makes a food allergy more life threatening is because of the immediate threat to the person. Someone with food allergy can have an anaphylactic shock and start to experience the swelling of the throat muscles. This can block the air passage of the person and could result to death.
Another real danger is the sharp drop in the blood pressure of the patient. In this case, the person with food allergy may experience mental confusion and dizziness.
Food Allergy Treatment
A food allergy can be treated as soon as the symptom occurs. For rashes, there are skin creams available to ease the swelling and itchiness. The antihistamines will give relief to symptoms of runny nose, watery eyes and swelling. These medicines can be bought right in the local drugstores and does not require a prescription.
For those who experience the severe food allergy reactions, a dose of epinephrine (adrenaline), either self- injected or given by the doctor can immediately reverse the symptoms. As of now, a shot of epinephrine is the most effective treatment for food allergy and other types of allergies.
Preventing Food Allergy
Although food allergies cannot be prevented, the best way to defeat it is by staying away from the food a person is allergic to. Taking a risk will only cost you more pain in the future. So it is best to see the doctor to get a proper diagnosis and guidelines on what to eat and what not to eat.
Making the right diagnosis on food allergy versus food intolerance can be tricky. It all depends on how severe the allergic reactions are and the number of symptoms that show up on the person when exposed to the food allergen.
Charlene J. Nuble 2006. For answers to All your frequently asked questions about food allergy, please go to: http://food-allergy.allergyanswers.net/ or go to: http://allergyanswers.net/ http://allergyanswers.blogspot.com/
Related Articles:
Food Intolerance Test And Its Relation To Our Health
Often feeling sick after meals? Not looking forward to eating out because you can never tell which meal, or which day or time will bring on unpleasant symptoms? Don't worry you aren't alone. You may be experiencing a food intolerance, which is similar to an allergy, just not quite as severe.
Reduce Food Allergies With Aloe Vera Supplements
Some food allergies, even those that are not life-threatening, can severely interrupt your life and at a minimum, be very frustrating and sometimes stressful. If you are suffering from severe food allergies to common foods like nuts or wheat products, you may find yourself having to choose where you want to eat when you dine outside. Fortunately, there are oral aloe vera supplements that can help to lesson food allergies and in most cases, help people completely overcome their allergies.
Enjoy Life Foods® Teams with AllergyMoms.com to Ensure Halloween Isn't 'Tricky' for Food-Allergic Kids and Families : Provides tips for being all
There?s no question that Halloween is a particularly frightening time for food-allergic kids and their parents. All kids want to join in the fun of trick or treating, including kids with food allergies. And they can?as long as they steer clear of the foods that pose a risk for them.
Food Intolerance
Many people experience unpleasant reactions to foods they have eaten and suspect they have a "food allergy". However, only 2–5% of adults and 2–8% of children are truly "allergic" to certain foods.
What is a Food Intolerance?
Sometimes our bodies cannot tolerate the foods we eat. This is known as food intolerance. When people consume foods that they're sensitive to, such as dairy products for lactose intolerant individuals, their bodies have a negative physical reaction. The effects show up every time the food is consumed. If large quantities of the food are ingested, symptoms can be severe.
Gluten intolerance should not be confused with food allergy
Dining together on the table with having the same food really makes the fun of breakfast or lunch or dinner or whatever it is twice. Just the opposite happens when different food is arranged for someone who cannot follow the normal diet as the other. Yes, I am talking about those who are suffering from food intolerance. Gluten intolerance is becoming a very common problem nowadays all around the world.
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network Debuts Redesigned Website
The Internet’s foremost authority on food allergies, (www.foodallergy.org), has been completely transformed with a new look and functionality that provides greatly improved usability for visitors including the newly diagnosed, professionals, and members of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (http://www.foodallergy.org/) (FAAN).
The Causes Of Food Allergy
If there is an abnormal response triggered by the immune system, because of some food items, it is known as food allergy There are various foods that cause allergy in humans
Diagnosing The Food Intolerance
Defining Food-Intolerance
Innate Health Foundation Announces New Wiki for Food Allergy Resources
Food Allergy and IBS charity launches website to collect and share information about restaurants, food products, recipes, etc. for the food allergy and food intolerance affected community