Food allergy and food intolerance

Food allergy and food intolerance

Food allergy and food intolerance can be difficult to distinguish, and they are easily confused. The main difference is that food allergy often causes acute/rapid symptoms, while food intolerance often causes slower and less dramatic symptoms. The incidence is greatest among children in the first three years of life.

What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?

Although it can be difficult to distinguish between food allergy and food intolerance in practice, there is a clear theoretical difference between the two conditions:

Food allergy is caused by the immune system overreacting to allergens (usually proteins) in certain foods and triggering an allergic reaction. The reaction comes quickly, and even small amounts of the food you cannot tolerate can trigger a strong allergic reaction. In the worst case, food allergies can trigger allergic shock.

Reactions that are not caused by the immune system are called food intolerance. Reactions in food intolerance usually come more slowly than in food allergy. Intolerance can, for example, be due to the intestine lacking or having too little of an enzyme, which is the case with lactose intolerance.

Typical reactions in food allergy and food intolerance

Mouth and throat: Itching and swelling in the mouth or throat after eating certain foods are typical reactions to food allergies. Pollen allergy sufferers who have cross-allergies to certain foods often get such symptoms.
Stomach and intestine: Reactions from the stomach and intestines, such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss, bloating and vomiting, can occur with both food allergy and food intolerance.
Skin: Eczema, hives or other skin reactions are more common in children than in adults, and can be triggered by both food allergies and food intolerances.
Allergic shock: Allergic shock is characterized by swelling in the throat, breathing problems and often vomiting. The condition can develop with a drop in blood pressure and unconsciousness. Allergic shock is rare, but very serious and requires prompt treatment. Allergic shock is not triggered by food intolerance.

Milk allergy and lactose intolerance

Milk allergy is the most common allergy in young children, but most outgrow it before school age. Lactose intolerance is a condition where the body is unable to break down milk sugar in the usual way.

At LenaPharm we have products that improve lactose breakdown.

Good advice

Children with a predisposition to allergies should be breastfed for as long as possible, preferably 6-12 months.
Wait as long as possible before giving the child "risky food", see the table below, and at the earliest at 4 months of age. The child should preferably still be breastfed when solid food and potentially allergenic foods are introduced.
Do not expose children to secondhand smoke.
Read the declaration (ingredient list) on food products carefully.

Treatment

Avoid foods

Once the diagnosis has been made, the only treatment is to stop eating the foods you react to. Nutrients in foods that are cut out must be replaced. It is important that you receive the necessary guidance from a doctor and/or nutritionist to put together a nutritious diet.

Medicines

Common allergy medicines taken for other allergies, such as pollen allergies, can also reduce the symptoms of food allergies. It is not usual to take regular medication for food allergies. Some people with food allergies experience strong reactions and should always carry medicine (adrenaline injection) prescribed by a doctor.

When should you contact a doctor for food allergies and food intolerances?Contact a doctor if you experience strong or unpleasant reactions to foods, or if you think you may have a food allergy or a food intolerance.

Sources: Norwegian electronic medical handbook, Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association and Norwegian health informatics for healthcare personnel.