Food allergies and food intolerances are two distinct reactions that the body has to certain foods. While it may seem like they have similar symptoms, there is a major difference between allergies and intolerances.
Knowing the distinction between them can help you identify what your body needs to stay healthy.
The Difference Between Allergies and Intolerances
A food allergy is an immune reaction to a food, which can be severe or life-threatening. It occurs when your immune system mistakes a harmless substance in the food as harmful and produces antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) to fight it off.
When an allergic person eats the food, these antibodies will bind to white blood cells in the body, which leads to the release of histamines.
This is what causes the symptoms associated with a food allergy such as hives, swelling, itching, vomiting, and even anaphylaxis.
Food intolerances are less severe reactions to certain foods and are not life-threatening.
They occur when your body cannot fully digest or break down certain components of food, such as the lactose in dairy products.
This can lead to symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Food Allergy Testing
Allergy testing is used to identify what allergies a person may have. It is done by skin testing or blood tests and can help to confirm whether a person has a food allergy or an intolerance.
Allergy tests are important for correctly diagnosing the cause of a reaction so that the proper treatment can be prescribed. It can help identify the source of an allergy, which is essential for managing it properly.
Food allergy testing can also help to reduce unnecessary or incorrect treatments that may be causing further harm to the person. Some other benefits include:
Identify Allergy Triggers
The primary benefit of allergy testing is that it can help identify the substances that trigger your allergies.
This knowledge can enable you to make necessary lifestyle changes, such as avoiding certain foods or environments, to prevent allergic reactions.
Knowing your triggers can also help your doctor prescribe better medication to manage your symptoms more effectively.
Accurate Diagnosis
Allergy testing can help differentiate allergy symptoms from non-allergic causes such as infections or other illnesses.
This is crucial regarding medication management and determining the severity of the disease.
Some allergy medications may conflict with other medications, so it’s essential to know the exact cause.
Improve Quality of Life
Allergic reactions can significantly impact your quality of life, leading to missed workdays or school, and diminished physical and emotional well-being.
Identifying your allergy triggers via allergy testing leads to a better quality of life by decreasing the frequency of allergic reactions and the need for medication.
Early Detection
Early detection of food allergen in children is crucial. Allergy testing helps detect children’s allergies early, thus enabling parents to make necessary lifestyle changes to avoid potential allergens and to be better equipped in the event of an allergy emergency.
Peace of Mind
Allergy testing can provide peace of mind for people who suspect they have allergies but have not been officially diagnosed.
The results from allergy testing can provide clarity and confirmation, eliminating the anxiety and fear of experiencing an allergic reaction without understanding the underlying cause.
Risks Associated With Not Having an Accurate Diagnosis
If a person is not properly diagnosed and treated for their food allergy or intolerance, there can be serious consequences.
An incorrect diagnosis can lead to improper treatment or avoidance of certain foods that may be beneficial for their health. Some other risks include:
Uncontrolled Allergic Reactions
If you don’t know what you are allergic to, you run the risk of experiencing a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
Without knowing your triggers, you cannot take any precautions to avoid them. An accurate diagnosis can help you identify the allergens and develop an action plan to avoid them.
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis of allergies can lead to unnecessary treatments and delays in treatment. Not all allergies present in the same way, and an experienced allergist can help correctly identify the cause of your symptoms.
An accurate diagnosis can reduce the likelihood of misdiagnosis and lead to proper treatment.
Delayed Treatment of Coexisting Conditions
Having allergies can increase the risk of developing other conditions, such as asthma, eczema, and sinusitis.
An accurate diagnosis can help detect these conditions early, and prompt treatment can prevent complications.
Lower Quality of Life
Allergies can severely affect your quality of life. Without an accurate diagnosis, you may not have access to medication or other treatments that could improve your symptoms.
This can lead to a diminished quality of life, as allergies can impact your daily activities, sleep, and emotional well-being.
Financial Impact
Without an accurate diagnosis, you may be wasting money on treatments that will not work. Additionally, untreated allergies can increase the risk of developing other conditions, which can result in increased medical costs.
An accurate diagnosis can help you choose the most effective treatments, which can save you money in the long run.
Reduced Workforce Productivity
Allergies can affect your ability to function at work, especially if your job requires outdoor activities.
Untreated allergies can lead to missed workdays or reduced productivity, which can impact your career in the long run.
Reduced School Performance
Children with undiagnosed allergies may have difficulty focusing in school or miss school days due to allergy symptoms.
An accurate diagnosis can help parents create a management plan, which can improve their child’s attendance and academic performance.
Risk of Anaphylaxis
Food allergies can be life-threatening if not appropriately managed. Without an accurate diagnosis, you may unknowingly expose yourself to dangerous allergens.
An accurate diagnosis can help you avoid these allergens, reducing your risk of anaphylaxis.
Social Isolation
Untreated allergies can lead to social isolation, as you may avoid social situations that could trigger your symptoms. This can impact your mental health and reduce your overall well-being.
Increase in Long-term Complications
Untreated allergies can lead to long-term complications, such as chronic sinusitis and asthma. An accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment can prevent these complications and improve your long-term health.
Conclusion
Food allergy and food intolerance are not the same, and it is important to be aware of the differences between them. Allergy testing can help to accurately diagnose a person’s reaction and provide essential information for managing their health.
Without an accurate diagnosis, there can be serious risks associated with not having the proper treatment for a food allergy or intolerance.
For this reason, it is important to get tested if you are having any type of reaction to food.
Learn more.