Distinguishing between a food intolerance and a food allergy

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Distinguishing between a food intolerance and a food allergy

Food intolerance refers to a physical response to a food that is not an allergic reaction. It differs from a food allergy in that it does not involve the immune system. Medical testing may be required to make the distinction between the two. Food intolerances and food allergies are treated differently.

Differences between food intolerances and food allergies are shown below.

**Food allergy symptoms versus food intolerance symptoms**
Food allergy symptoms:	Food intolerance symptoms:
Come on quickly, usually within an hour.	Take longer to appear.
Can be severe, including difficulty breathing and possibly fatal anaphylaxis.	Generally are not severe.
May include nausea, vomiting, painful cramping, diarrhea, andhives or wheezing. See an illustration of hives .	Usually are only digestive-nausea, vomiting, painful cramping, and diarrhea.

Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Harold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and Immunology
Last Updated	April 5, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 05, 2007

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