Allergies are caused by a lot of triggers which don’t settle well in your body. These triggers can be pollen, hay, dust or even food. Allergies caused by foods are known as food allergies. Here is the difference between food allergies and food intolerance and when you should see an allergy doctor.

Food Allergies

Any sort of allergic reaction caused by intake of certain foods is known as a food allergy. Food allergies trigger the immune system and the reaction is a self-defense mechanism of the body whenever a food comes in your body or blood stream. Food allergies can seem quite similar to food intolerances, but the reaction subsides after some time whenever a treatment is prescribed.

How Are They Caused?

Here are some of the causes of food allergies. They are mostly some certain types of food which need to be avoided in order to prevent severe allergic reactions and in worse cases, anaphylaxis.

Peanuts are one of the main causes of allergic reactions. They are unable to be digested by a person who is allergic to peanuts or any other kinds of nuts.

Wheat is also a main culprit of food allergies. A lot of people can be allergic to wheat because there are certain things in wheat which don’t sit well in the stomach and can cause allergies and reactions to the body and skin.

Milk and dairy products are also a main allergy trigger. A lot of people cannot stomach milk or dairy and they have to find substitutes for these things in order to fortify their bodies with calcium and other nutrients but through main-dairy sources.

Symptoms Of Food Allergies

Here are some very common symptoms of food allergies.

• You will feel swelling around the mouth along with itching and redness.
• Your tongue might get heavy and swollen.
• Your skin might break out in rashes.
• You will experience nausea and vomiting.
• Your nose will be extremely runny.
• Your throat might be sore.
• Your stomach will cramp and you will feel like your appetite is at an all-time low.

Treatment For Food Allergy

Here are some treatment options for food allergies.

First and foremost, if you want to get rid of allergies caused by foods, then you need to stop eating the foods which cause reactions in your body. If you eliminate the use of the particular food from your diet, you will not get an allergic reaction to it.

You can use EpiPen to treat your food allergies. This is a very useful and lifesaving allergy antidote. It’s good to have an EpiPen close to you whenever you feel like you ate something wrong.

Food Intolerance

Food intolerances are different from food allergies. They are more like a chemical reaction of your body with the food you just ate. Unlike food allergies, food intolerance doesn’t involve the immune system and it is wholly the cause of a chemical reaction of the food with your body.

Causes Of Food Intolerance

Here are some causes of food intolerance.

• Eggs are a main concern for people who are suffering from food intolerance. Eggs can cause chemical reactions in the body and they are eliminated from the diets of people because they cannot stomach eggs.
• Citrus fruits like oranges and strawberries are also very common intolerant foods. They can cause acidic reactions in the body.
• Wine, food additives, and dairy.

Symptoms Of Food Intolerance

Sweating and nervousness, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, etc. are the main symptoms of food intolerance.

Treatment For Food Intolerance

The best way to avoid intolerance of foods is to avoid them and try to find substitutes for them. It’s good to read labels and find out what foods contain what type of intolerable foods. Try to have a good look at the labels because they are mentioned in most organic and preserved foods. You can find substitutes for these foods very easily nowadays.

Final Word

Food allergies and intolerance are two completely different things and both have different causes, symptoms and treatments. Now you know what both these things are and what they are caused by. You may want to visit an allergy clinic Manassas if you have history of being allergic to food, but you can also see a general physician if you can’t find an allergy doctor nearby.