Does Your Child Have an Allergy or a Food Intolerance?

During my Asthma and Allergy rotation, I encountered a child who was brought to the clinic by his father due to frequent stomach pains after eating. The child was also experiencing slow growth compared to his siblings, and his family was concerned. The father took the child to a pediatrician, who conducted antibody blood tests that revealed the child had antibodies against various foods. As a result, the child was referred to an asthma and allergy specialist. The parents subsequently eliminated a wide range of foods from the child's diet, assuming he was allergic to them. However, when the child visited the specialist, he explained that the child had consumed these foods in the past without developing an allergic reaction, indicating that he was not allergic to any of them.

Food allergies and food intolerances are two terms often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different types of reactions that can occur after consuming certain foods. Understanding the differences between food allergies and food intolerances can help individuals make better choices about what they eat and how they manage their dietary needs.

What is a Food Allergy?

A food allergy is an immune system response to a specific protein found in food. When a person with a food allergy eats that food, their immune system mistakes the protein for a harmful substance and triggers a response. This response can range from mild symptoms like itching or hives, to severe reactions like anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening.

Food allergies can develop at any age, and there is no cure for them. The best way to manage a food allergy is to avoid the food that triggers the reaction. For those with severe allergies, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector, such as an EpiPen, is often necessary.

Common food allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish.

What is a Food Intolerance?

A food intolerance, on the other hand, does not involve the immune system. It occurs when the body has difficulty digesting a specific food or a component of that food. The symptoms of a food intolerance can be similar to those of a food allergy, but they are usually less severe and do not involve the immune system.

Some common symptoms of food intolerance include bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. These symptoms can occur immediately after eating the offending food or several hours later.

Food intolerances can be caused by a variety of factors, such as a lack of certain digestive enzymes, sensitivity to food additives, or problems with the digestive tract. While there is no cure for food intolerances, they can often be managed by avoiding or limiting the intake of the problematic food or by taking digestive aids.

Common food intolerances include lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, and sensitivity to food additives like sulfites.

How to Tell the Difference Between a Food Allergy and a Food Intolerance

While the symptoms of food allergies and food intolerances can be similar, there are some key differences that can help you tell them apart. One of the main differences is the timing of the symptoms. Food allergy symptoms usually appear within minutes to hours after eating the offending food, while food intolerance symptoms may take several hours or even days to develop.

Another difference is the severity of the symptoms. Food allergy symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening, while food intolerance symptoms are usually mild to moderate.

Finally, the way the symptoms present themselves can also be a clue. Food allergy symptoms often involve the skin, such as hives or rash, while food intolerance symptoms often involve the digestive system, such as bloating or diarrhea.

Conclusion

Food allergies and food intolerances are two different types of reactions that can occur after consuming certain foods. While food allergies involve the immune system and can be life-threatening, food intolerances do not involve the immune system and are usually less severe. Understanding the differences between the two can help individuals manage their dietary needs and avoid potentially harmful reactions. If you suspect that you have a food allergy or intolerance, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and management.

It is essential for parents to be cautious when it comes to their child's diet, especially if they suspect that their child may have a food allergy. However, it is crucial to note that parents should not assume that their child is allergic to a specific food without appropriate testing. Allergy skin testing or a food challenge is required to determine whether or not a child has an allergy to a particular food. Assuming an allergy based on symptoms alone may result in the unnecessary elimination of foods from a child's diet, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies or an unnecessarily restricted diet. Therefore, it is recommended that parents consult with their child's pediatrician or an allergy specialist to determine whether their child has a food allergy and to develop an appropriate management plan based on the results.