Do certain foods make you feel unwell, but you’re not sure if it’s a food allergy or a food sensitivity? Understanding the difference could be key to your health. Here’s how to identify if your discomfort stems from a food allergy or a food sensitivity and when to see your provider.
What is a food allergy?
A food allergy is a potentially serious immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food. If you have a food allergy, exposure to even a small amount of the food can cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms of a food allergy can include the following:
- Skin reactions: hives, itching, swelling of the lips or tongue
- Digestive problems: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
- Respiratory issues: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
- Cardiovascular symptoms: lightheadedness, passing out
Food allergies are caused when your body mistakenly identifies certain proteins in food as harmful, which triggers the production of a specific type of antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE antibodies cause the release of chemicals like histamine that produce the symptoms.
The most common food allergens are eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and milk. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive, life-threatening reaction that affects more than one part of the body: hives, difficulty breathing, fainting, etc. People with known food allergies that are at risk for anaphylaxis need to completely avoid the food they are allergic to and typically keep epinephrine auto-injector on hand in case of accidental ingestion.
What is a food sensitivity?
A food sensitivity or food intolerance can produce symptoms similar to those caused by food allergies, but the symptoms are not life threatening and are not driven by the immune system. The exact mechanism behind food sensitivities isn’t fully understood yet, but symptoms seem to occur when your digestive system has difficulty properly breaking down certain compounds in food.
Common foods contributing to sensitivity symptoms include dairy, FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols), which are certain types of carbohydrates that can be hard for some to digest, and salicylates, which are natural substances found in many plants. Food sensitivity symptoms are usually limited to digestive issues like bloating, gas, diarrhea and stomach pain.
Key differences between food allergies and sensitivities:
Onset of symptoms: Food allergies typically produce rapid reactions, while food sensitivity symptoms may develop over hours or days.
Severity: Food allergy reactions can be life-threatening, while food sensitivity symptoms can be uncomfortable but are usually not dangerous.
Dose amount: Even tiny traces of a food allergen can trigger the immune system to cause an allergic reaction. Food sensitivity symptoms often develop in relation to the amount of food consumed or after a threshold is reached.
Avoidance: Complete avoidance is required for a food allergy, while small amounts may be tolerated in the case of a food sensitivity.
Identifying your triggers
You may be able to identify patterns by linking specific foods to your discomfort and tracking your symptoms with a food log. Share your findings with your provider to help determine if a food allergy or sensitivity may be to blame.
Allergy testing like a skin prick test or blood test can be useful to evaluate your immune system’s reaction to some of the most common food allergy triggers. In the case of food sensitivities, an elimination diet under medical supervision may help identify foods contributing to symptoms.
When to see your provider
Consult your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any concerning symptoms like difficulty breathing, throat tightness or dizziness after eating certain foods. These could signal a potentially life-threatening food allergy.
Your provider can review the testing options, advise you on elimination diets and prescribe emergency medications like epinephrine auto-injectors if needed.
Even if your symptoms are mild, it’s a good idea to talk to your provider if you suspect a food allergy or sensitivity. Identifying your triggers can provide symptom relief and help prevent future reactions.
If you think certain foods may be causing your symptoms, learning more with Labcorp OnDemand’s Food Allergy Test can provide valuable insights.
