An estimated 6 percent to 8 percent of children under age 5 and 3 percent to 4 percent of adults suffer from food allergies, according to MayoClinic.com. Food allergies cause a complete body immune response to allergens in food. Several people have food intolerance, which is another form of food allergy although much less severe.
Allergic Reactions
According to Dr. James TC Li, asthma and allergy specialist at the Mayo Clinic, food reactions are common, and the most common reactions are caused by food intolerance rather than food allergies. Since food intolerance signs and symptoms can mimic symptoms of food allergies, people often get the two terms mixed up. Food intolerance symptoms don't come on immediately and will not involve a complete immune system reaction. Food intolerances are caused by irritable bowel syndrome, food poisoning, lactose intolerance, food additive sensitivities, celiac disease and recurrent stress.
Food Allergy
Food allergies occur when a person comes in contact with allergy-causing food. The most common food allergies come through eating shellfish, milk products, soy and peanuts. The immune system in a personal with food allergies mistakes the food or substance as harmful and begins to trigger antibodies to neutralize it. Whenever you come in contact with the food again, your body will release a mixture of antibodies and histamine into the bloodstream, even if it is a small amount of the food.
Allergic Reaction Symptoms
Symptoms of food intolerance are nausea, stomach pain, abdominal cramps or bloating, intestinal gas, heartburn or acid reflux, vomiting, headache, irritability and nervousness.
Food Allergy Symptoms
Food allergies normally produce symptoms such as tingling and itching in the mouth; hives; swelling in the lips, face, eyes and throat; trouble breathing; abdominal pain; and dizziness or lightheadedness. In severe cases, food allergies can trigger a condition known as anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis causes life-threatening symptoms such as tightening of the airway, swollen throat, rapid pulse, dizziness, loss of consciousness and shock. If anaphylaxis is not treated immediately, it could result in coma or death.
