Most of the time, food allergy is confused with food intolerance, as both cause similar signs and symptoms, however, they are different disorders that can be treated differently.
The main difference between allergy and food intolerance is the type of response the body has when it comes into contact with food. In allergies there is an immediate immunological response, that is, the body creates antibodies as if the food were an attacking agent and, therefore, the symptoms are more generalized. In food intolerance, food is not digested correctly and, therefore, symptoms appear mainly in the gastrointestinal system.
The main symptoms that help differentiate food allergy from food intolerance are:
Food intolerance is also much more common than allergies, and can affect anyone, even if there is no family history, while food allergies are generally a rarer and hereditary problem, appearing in several members of the same family.
How to know if it is an allergy or intolerance
To diagnose food allergy, skin allergy tests are usually performed, in which symptoms that appear 24 to 48 hours after applying a substance to the skin are observed. If there is a reaction at the site, the test is considered positive and, therefore, may indicate that there is a food allergy. Learn more about how to identify a food allergy.
In the case of food intolerance, skin allergy tests generally give negative results and, therefore, the doctor may order blood and stool tests, as well as asking the person to remove some foods from their diet, to assess whether there is an improvement in symptoms.
Foods that cause allergies or intolerances
It is not always possible to identify which foods cause food allergy or food intolerance, as symptoms vary according to each person’s body. However, in most cases, food allergies are usually caused by foods such as shrimp, peanuts, tomatoes, shellfish or kiwi.
In food intolerance, the main foods include cow’s milk, eggs, strawberries, nuts, spinach and bread. See a more complete list of foods that cause food intolerance.
How the treatment is carried out
In both allergies and food intolerances, treatment consists of removing from the diet all foods that may cause worsening of symptoms. Therefore, it is important to consult a nutritionist to indicate which foods can be consumed, in order to replace those that have been removed, to ensure that the body receives all the nutrients necessary for its functioning.
Bibliography
- MAHAN, L. Kathleen et al. Krause: Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy. 13.ed. São Paulo: Elsevier Editora, 2013. 562-579.
