Understanding Allergy, Intolerance, and Sensitivity
The terms ‘allergy,’ ‘intolerance,’ and ‘sensitivity’ are often mistakenly used as if they mean the same thing.
This confusion makes it hard to grasp the distinct differences between them.
While ‘sensitivity’ and ‘intolerance’ might sometimes overlap in meaning, ‘allergy’ refers to a completely different condition.
These conditions involve different bodily processes, leading to varying symptoms and requiring unique testing methods. The similarity of symptoms in some cases adds to the confusion about a person’s condition.
The way we talk about these conditions can also lead to misunderstandings. For instance, someone with a food allergy might say they are ‘sensitive’ to a particular food, but medically, an allergy is different from sensitivity or intolerance.
Allergy
An allergy is an overreaction of the body’s immune system to a harmless substance, such as food, pollen, or medication. The immune system mistakenly perceives the substance as a threat.
Symptoms of an allergy usually appear quickly, from a few minutes to two hours after exposure. However, there are delayed allergic reactions, with symptoms manifesting up to six hours later.
Did you know that when an allergen enters your body, your immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies?
These antibodies then trigger the release of histamine and other inflammatory cells, leading to uncomfortable symptoms like itching, swelling, and difficulty breathing.
Histamine causes typical allergy symptoms like:
- Skin rashes, hives, or changes
- Itching in the mouth or throat
- Swelling of the lips or face
- Coughing, sneezing
- Watery eyes, runny nose
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Worsening of asthma or eczema
- In rare cases, anaphylactic shock
Common allergens include foods (like wheat, milk, eggs, soy, nuts, and shellfish), pollen, mold, pet dander, insect stings, medications, and specific materials.
Intolerance or Sensitivity?
The terms ‘sensitivity’ and ‘intolerance’ cover a range of conditions, which can be confusing.
Food sensitivities and intolerances mainly cause digestive symptoms but can also affect those with chronic conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, arthritis, autism, and ADD/ADHD. Typical symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Cramps
- Flatulence
- Changes in bowel movements
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Mental fogginess
Some food sensitivities or intolerances, unrelated to enzyme deficiencies, can often be managed by an elimination diet or by improving gut health. Removing irritating foods can give the digestive system a chance to recover, especially if there’s low-level inflammation. This period can also help rebalance gut bacteria.
Quick Comparison
Critical distinctions between allergy, sensitivity, and intolerance:
- Allergy, sensitivity, and intolerance are distinct conditions with different bodily processes.
- Allergy symptoms typically develop rapidly (within 2 hours of contact).
- Food sensitivity or intolerance symptoms can take up to 48 hours to appear.
- While food sensitivity or intolerance can be uncomfortable or embarrassing, it’s generally not serious.
- Allergy symptoms can be severe and, in rare cases, life-threatening.
- Hair testing does not diagnose allergies.
Sensitivity / Intolerance Testing
If you suspect food intolerance, a food intolerance test can be a valuable tool to pinpoint specific items in your diet that trigger symptoms.
These tests analyze your body’s reaction to different foods and can help identify the culprits causing your discomfort.