Allergy Vs Intolerance Vs Anaphylaxis

Allergy Vs intolerance Vs anaphylaxis

The terms 'allergy', 'intolerance' and 'anaphylaxis' are often not understood correctly and hence people tend to get confused. Each condition has specific characteristics and it is important that food handlers are aware of the differences between them.

A food allergy is when the body's immune system reacts unusually to specific foods. Although allergic reactions are often mild, they can be very serious. Symptoms of a food allergy can affect different areas of the body at the same time. Some common symptoms include: an itchy sensation inside the mouth, throat or ears.

Food intolerance is difficulty digesting certain foods and having an unpleasant physical reaction to them. It causes symptoms, such as bloating and tummy pain, which usually happen a few hours after eating the food. There are many different causes of food intolerance. Some examples include: Lactose intolerance – In lactose intolerance, the body can't digest lactose, a sugar found in cow's milk.