What is the difference between an allergy and intolerance?

  • Symptoms of food intolerance usually occur several hours after eating the food, whereas an allergy can result in an immediate reaction
  • Often people need to eat a larger amount of food to trigger an intolerance than an allergy.
  • Unlike an allergy, a food intolerance is not life threatening.

Symptoms

Food allergyFood intolerance
Swelling of the tongueStomach pain
VomitingBloating
Shortness of breathDiarrhoea
Itchy skin or rashStomach rumbling
DizzinessFlatulence
Food allergySwelling of the tongue
Food intoleranceStomach pain
Food allergyVomiting
Food intoleranceBloating
Food allergyShortness of breath
Food intoleranceDiarrhoea
Food allergyItchy skin or rash
Food intoleranceStomach rumbling
Food allergyDizziness
Food intoleranceFlatulence
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Foods associated with allergies
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Introduction

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