The differences between food allergies and food intolerances: take our quiz

11th November 2020

The differences between food allergies and food intolerances: take our quiz

If you’ve confused food allergies and intolerances in the past, just know you aren’t alone. Many people think they’re interchangeable terms or don’t understand the differences. While they can have similarities, there are some fundamental differences between the two that can be pretty serious.

So why not put your knowledge to the test and see what you can learn along the way? Take our quiz to see how well you know your allergies from your intolerances!

Question 1: What type of response does a food intolerance cause?

1. Nervous system response
2. Immune system response
3. Digestive system response
4. Visual response

Answer: It’s from your digestive system. It typically causes symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea. It’s effectively your stomach saying “I don’t like that”. Allergies, on the other hand, cause a response in your immune system, such as rashes, hives, or chest pain, as your body attacks something it thinks is dangerous to it. 

Question 2: Which is more life-threatening?

1. Food intolerances
2. Food allergies

Answer: Food allergies are a more serious reaction. While intolerance can cause unpleasant symptoms, they’re usually short-lived. Whereas food allergies can cause anaphylaxis and be life-threatening, and so must be responded to urgently.

Question 3: Which of these are a symptom of both food intolerance and allergy?

1. Nausea
2. Itchiness
3. Swelling
4. Heartburn 

Answer: Nausea is one of a few shared symptoms between the two conditions. Although all of these are symptoms caused by either an intolerance or an allergy.

Question 4: What level of contact can cause an allergic reaction to food?

1. Looking at it
2. Touching or consuming a small amount
3. Eating an extensive amount

Answer: In the most severe cases, even just touch can be enough to cause a reaction. Food intolerances are usually only triggered after consuming a large amount of the trigger food.

Question 5: What percentage of adults suffer from a food allergy?

1. 1%
2. 20%
3. 10%
4. 5%

Answer: Although numbers vary, the average is around 5% for food allergies. This number is much higher in food intolerances, around 20%.

Question 6: Which of these are symptoms of coeliac disease, aka gluten intolerance?

1. Headaches
2. Anxiety and depression
3. Unexplained weight loss
4. All of the above

Answer: Unfortunately for coeliac sufferers, it is all of the above. While not life-threatening, a severe intolerance to gluten can still seriously affect your quality of life.

Well, how did you do? It can be difficult to determine whether you’re suffering from an allergy or intolerance, so don’t worry if you didn’t get them all correct. If you’re unsure about a reaction to food, it’s always best to get it checked so you’re always prepared.

If you have any concerns about a food allergy in your or a loved one, book an allergy test with our experts or simply contact us for advice. Reach out to us at 02031 433 449.

Where do adult allergies come from?

23rd September 2020

Where do adult allergies come from?

Some people go through life without knowing the annoyance or danger of an allergy. But then, suddenly, they find themselves sneezing at flowers or feeling ill after a pizza. It turns out they’ve developed an allergy in their adult years. And it isn’t especially uncommon.

This might be all the more prevalent in the UK, where 20% of the population has at least one allergy. If this is a new sensation for you, how can you be sure it’s a new allergy? Or how do you know if it’s not an allergy but an intolerance? And why do they happen in the first place?

Allergies

Put simply, an allergy is your body having a reaction to something that is usually harmless. Think pollen for hay fever or peanuts. Your immune system sees these as a threat to your body, releasing chemicals to try to fight it. It might lead to mild symptoms such as sneezing or itchy eyes. 

But it could also be fatal if it’s a severe allergy. You will have likely seen stories in the news about people dying from eating something as simple as popcorn. This is a result of an anaphylactic shock, something which has been increasing over the last few decades.

Intolerances

On the other hand, you have intolerances. You are more likely to experience stomach troubles, such as bloating and nausea. That’s because intolerances tend to affect the digestive system, while allergies affect your immune system.

They aren’t particularly life-threatening, but some of the symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable. In more severe cases, you can suffer from diarrhoea, rashes, or acid reflux.

So what’s the difference?

As we explained above, one is a digestive issue while the other is an immune issue. But one main difference is intolerances are only a reaction to food. Allergies can be a reaction to anything and everything.

On top of this, allergies can be life-threatening while intolerances usually aren’t. Allergic reactions tend to also happen almost instantly after coming into contact with an allergen (though not always). People with intolerances don’t have to stay away from allergens and can even eat triggering food in small doses.

So why do these appear in adulthood? The problem is, there is no definitive answer. There are a handful of theories, though.

Theories

One thought is a lack of exposure can cause an allergy. The idea is you aren’t building up an immunity by being exposed.

Another take on this theory is you always had the allergy but were never exposed to the trigger. You might see this in an animal allergy if you never had pets, for example.

There are always a lot of question marks when it comes to allergies. The important part is you speak to an expert about it. Ask your GP for advice or seek out an allergy specialist who can help discover and manage your allergies.

Our experts are always on hand to help you with your allergy queries. Don’t suffer with a new allergy – get in touch with us today on 02031 433 449.

How to choose the best allergist or immunologist

17th July 2019

How to choose the best allergist or immunologist

Healthcare isn’t something you should take lightly. For some, allergies can be life-threatening. It’s important you have the right medical professional helping you navigate the testing, treatment, and management of your allergies.

An allergy specialist will help you resolve your allergy symptoms, rule out other causes of your symptoms, and give you referrals to other health practitioners. If you think you have an allergy, it’s important to choose the right professionals to help you quickly and easily. So how do you find the best?

Can I see an allergist on the NHS?

It is possible to get allergy treatment through the NHS. A visit to your GP could lead to an allergy test and allergy treatments at a low cost. The only problem is knowing when this might happen.

The NHS is a brilliant health care system. However, it has its flaws, with over 200,000 written complaints in 2017/18. There are long waiting times for appointments and referrals, and if your allergy symptoms are severe, you might not have time to wait. Also, with the NHS, you have little say over who your doctor is.

The system gives everyone access to healthcare free at the point of use, and this is life-saving. Because of this, and the high demand for services, there is a ‘you get what you’re given’ attitude. Despite most NHS workers being well trained, you can’t be sure you’re working with the best allergy specialists out there.

Finding the best specialist?

If you want to receive care from the best allergists, seeking them out online is the quickest way. You’ll be able to look at the services they offer, their prices, their qualifications and awards, and their reputation in reviews from previous patients. This is one of the best ways to gauge the standard of care you will receive.

Feel free to drop in and speak to the professionals before you make your decision. You can only learn so much about someone from behind a computer screen. Face-to-face interaction is important for you to know if you’re comfortable with your allergist.

Private health care is affordable despite what most people believe. If you’re looking for an allergy specialist, finding a private, reliable, trustworthy, and experienced professional can help you avoid long waiting times and get top-class treatment.

At London Allergy and Immunology Centre, our experienced specialists test and treat patients for allergies and provide expert advice on how to manage them in their daily lives. Speak to one of our consultants today on 02031 433449.

Alcohol allergy or alcohol intolerance – common symptoms explained

1st May 2019

Alcohol allergy or alcohol intolerance – common symptoms explained

Alcohol forms an important part of many cultures around the world and has long been hailed as the drink to unwind and celebrate. When used responsibly, it’s a great way to wind down on a weekend, settle nerves on a date, or just for general enjoyment in life.

All these reasons make it particularly difficult for people living with alcohol allergies or intolerances. Let’s look at the different causes and symptoms, along with the next steps, if you’re showing any of these signs after drinking alcohol.

Alcohol intolerance

Most people who think they suffer from an alcohol allergy are actually alcohol intolerant. It’s caused by a genetic condition in the body that can’t break down alcohol properly. This can cause a number of symptoms including:

• Low blood pressure
• Worsening of pre-existing asthma
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Facial redness
• Red, itchy skin bumps (hives)

Alcoholic beverages often contain many ingredients. Some of these can also cause intolerance reactions, such as histamine, chemicals, grains, sulfites, and preservatives.

It’s easy to speculate about what is causing your symptoms. However, the only way to know for certain about what is causing your intolerance or allergy is to see a specialist health professional.

Alcohol allergy

An alcohol allergy is very rare. It only occurs when your immune system overreacts to alcohol entering the body and starts to produce antibodies. These trigger an allergic reaction. Symptoms can range from a mild itchy mouth or eyes to swelling and anaphylaxis.

There are ingredients found in many alcoholic drinks that cause an allergic reaction in the body. For example:

• Grapes
• Hops
• Wheat
• Yeast

If you’re showing any of these signs after consuming alcohol, it’s important to see an allergy specialist to diagnose any possible intolerances or allergies. You should never ignore an allergy or intolerance and push it aside. If left untreated, it can quickly become worse or create further health complications.

Living allergy-free isn’t always easy, but it isn’t impossible. Don’t risk putting your health and life at risk. Request an allergy test with us today or visit our website to find out how we can help you.

Adult allergies: why do they happen?

19th September 2018

Adult allergies: why do they happen?

If you suddenly find yourself with a blocked nose after a walk in the park, or your stomach turns after eating cake, there might be a reason why. Adult allergies can occur, and they aren’t uncommon.

The UK has some of the highest rates of allergic conditions with over 20% of the population suffering from at least one allergic disorder. But how do you know you have an allergy? What separates them from intolerances, and why do they randomly occur during adulthood?

What is an allergy?

An allergy is a reaction the body has to usually harmless substances such as dust or food. The immune system believes these allergens to be a threat and releases chemicals such as histamine in response. Common symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, breathing difficulties, abdominal pain, and hives. In severe cases, allergies can have life or death consequences, with some triggers causing individuals to have an anaphylactic shock.

In the 20 years to 2012, there was a 615% increase in the rate of hospital admissions for anaphylaxis in the UK.

What is an intolerance?

Intolerance is a sensitivity to specific ingredients. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea. They affect the digestive system, whereas allergies affect the immune system. Intolerances aren’t life-threatening; however, some symptoms are more harmless than others such as bloating. Severe reactions include diarrhoea, rashes, or reflux.

Differences

The main difference between allergies and intolerances is that allergies can be a reaction to everything from food to pollen. Counter to that, intolerance is a discomfort to only food.

• Allergies can be life-threatening.
• Allergy symptoms happen almost immediately after consuming triggering ingredients.
• Individuals who suffer from an intolerance can eat triggering foods in small quantities.

Triggering ingredients often include gluten, dairy, and fructose.

Why do adult allergies develop?

It’s not uncommon for allergies to manifest during adulthood. Although there’s no definitive answer as to what’s behind a late onset of allergies, there are a few theories as to where they come from.

Exposure

If you suddenly start sneezing when you’re around allergens such as pet hair or pollen, it can be caused by a lack of exposure. If you’ve lived your life in a city with minimal plant life for example, suddenly being in a pollen-filled environment may trigger hay fever.

In some cases, you may have always had an allergy present. But it may have been so minor that you didn’t even notice as it caused minimal discomfort. It’s possible that the allergy increased during adulthood.

Another reason may be that little exposure to bacteria and dirt may increase vulnerability to allergies as the body suppresses the natural development of the immune system. So when our immune system does come into contact with unclean environments, the body overreacts.

Management

There are several ways to manage allergies including:

• Avoiding triggering environments, ingredients, and other allergens.
• Taking an antihistamine and using nasal sprays.
• Regularly cleaning your home.

If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergy or intolerance, it’s best to find out the cause as soon as possible to reduce discomfort.

If you think you might be suffering from allergies but have never had them diagnosed, why not order one of our home testing kits today. Find out once and for all what’s causing you to sneeze and cough. Request an allergy test with us today or visit our website.

What causes food allergies and intolerances?

10th March 2018

What causes food allergies and intolerances?

The experience of a food intolerance can be uncomfortable. It can result in itching, swelling, rashes and other annoying symptoms. For those with serious allergies, it can result in anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal. So what causes our bodies to take such extreme action against seemingly harmless substances? This question is worth asking, but the answers to it are not completely understood yet. But we can look at what part our own antibodies play.

Common causes

We do know that allergic reactions occur when the immune system incorrectly perceives something as a threat to the body. This results in an overreaction to the substance, resulting in your immune system releasing antibodies. These antibodies trigger the release of protective chemicals. They are the cause of your unfortunate runny nose and watering eyes. Your immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work in unison to defend the body from harmful invaders. If the immune system were to break down, we would be severely susceptible to disease. Even mild infections like the common cold could kill us.

This defence system has evolved over thousands of years to be incredibly effective at protecting the human body. So how can something as simple as a nut or a glass of milk cause the whole system to turn on itself? Some scientists argue that the most common food allergens contain the same proteins. These are the proteins that cause allergic reactions. Nuts, seeds, shellfish, corn, milk, soy, eggs, and wheat are among the most common food allergies. They appear so different on the surface, yet they all share the same proteins. The proteins in question are more visible to the immune system than other proteins. For people with food allergies, the detection of these proteins triggers the release of Immunoglobulin antibodies.

The science behind antibodies

These IgE antibodies are usually the first line of defence against parasites, but in this case, they are misidentifying the food as a threat. When Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is produced, it occupies receptors on mast cells that, in the presence of the allergens, release histamine. That triggers symptoms like swelling, rashes, itching, and anaphylactic shock within seconds or minutes. There is a range of evidence to suggest that these types of allergies may be hereditary. Although children may not be allergic to the same foods as their parents, research suggests that parents with IgE-mediated allergies are more likely to have children with IgE-mediated allergies.

With large allergic reactions to food, it may seem obvious what is causing the problem. However, more subtle reactions can allow a food allergy to go undiagnosed for some time and there may be some confusion over what is causing your symptoms. But, there are ways to see what may be causing the reaction. 

If you are concerned that you may be suffering from a food allergy, book an appointment with one of our consultants today.