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.

How much do you know about allergies? Take our allergy quiz to find out

27th May 2020

How much do you know about allergies? Take our allergy quiz to find out

For most people, allergies aren’t fun. They cause all manner of distress. At best, they’ll give you a runny nose and itchy eyes. But at worst, they can cause a lethal reaction. They affect children and adults, and sometimes it feels like there’s no escape.

If you’ve been reading our blog for a while, you probably think you know it all. Well, why don’t you put that to the test with our allergy quiz? See how many you can get right! Without further ado, let’s start the quiz.

Question 1: What percentage of the UK population have an allergy?

1. 5%
2. 10%
3. 15%
4. 20%

Answer: It’s 20%. That means 1 in 5 people in the UK have some sort of allergy. In some parts of the world, it can be as high as 40%! Some of the most common are food allergies and hay fever. Speaking of which…

Question 2: What is the medical name for hay fever?

1. It’s allergic alveolitis!
2. Obviously, it’s allergic rhinitis!
3. It must be allergic conjunctivitis!
4. I know – it’s allergic laryngitis!

Answer: The technical term is ‘allergic rhinitis’. Common symptoms include a stuffy nose, constant sneezing, and itchy eyes. As we head into summer, a lot of people are about to feel the effects of allergic rhinitis.

Question 3: What causes hay fever?

1. Flower chlorophyll
2. Grass cuttings
3. Plant pollen
4. Tree leaves

Answer: The culprit causing those sneezing fits is the pollen. Many plants – flowers, trees, and grass – give off pollen and they’re hard to avoid. Even if you stay indoors, they can make their way in through the window or on any pets who have been outside.

Question 4: What is the leading cause of anaphylaxis?

1. Food allergies
2. Hay fever
3. Eczema
4. Asthma

Answer: Food allergies are the most likely to lead to an anaphylactic shock. This is where your body has a harsh response to an allergen and always requires medical intervention. Unfortunately, they can lead to death, so should always be taken seriously.

Question 5: Which of these can you actually be allergic to?

1. Touch
2. Vibrations
3. Children
4. All of the above

Answer: Believe it or not, you can be allergic to all of them. There are a lot of strange allergies in the world – trees, jewellery, marshmallows, and even allergy medicine itself. While we’re on the subject…

Question 6: What is the name of allergy medication?

1. Antihistamines
2. Antipollegens
3. Antiantimines
4. Antipathy

Answer: They are called antihistamines. They aren’t the only way to treat allergies, but most common off-the-shelf anti-allergy drugs are antihistamines.

Question 7: Which of these is an allergy test?

1. Patch test
2. Batch test
3. Catch test
4. Watch test

Answer: If you go to an allergy doctor, they might perform a… patch test! This is one of many methods allergists use to diagnose an allergy. They will put a small patch on your skin, leave it for 48 hours, and look to see if your body has had a reaction. It’s simple, non-invasive, and pain-free!

So, how did you do? If you got all seven correct then congratulations, it looks like you’ve been paying attention. We’ve talked about all these topics at one point or another and it’s always important you pay attention to the dangers of allergies. The more you know, the safer you can keep you and your family.

If you think you or a loved one might have an undiagnosed allergy, feel free to get in touch with our experts. They are well-equipped to answer any questions you might have. Call us on 02031 433 449 or visit our website.