Are you wondering what the difference is between allergy and intolerance?
Do you ever get asked what the difference between allergy and intolerance is? Or, what is a food intolerance? Being allergic to dairy is a HUGE subject. It is different to not eating dairy for lifestyle reasons, or through personal choice. We welcome everyone here at Ultimate Dairy Free but I am talking about those people with an allergy to dairy in this post. There are two different types of allergy. I have explained the basic differences below but I am not a doctor, so I’m not giving medical advice. . I have also added links to other websites to get more appropriate information. Here in the UK, the NHS will give you the most up-to-date medical advice.
All allergies involve an immune response resulting from our bodies coming into contact with an allergen.
IgE allergy (anaphylaxis)
For anyone who has an anaphylactic allergic reaction to food, it is life-threatening. It involves a body’s immediate reaction to coming into contact with an allergen. This is known as an immunoglobulin E (IgE) response. So, if you are reading this and you think someone is experiencing anaphylaxis then CALL 999 IMMEDIATELY. You can find more detailed information on symptoms, treatment, and prevention here. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anaphylaxis/treatment/
Non-IgE allergy (intolerance)
A non-IgE-related allergy involves a different part of a body’s immune system. It is quite often a delayed response, presenting a wide range of symptoms, where it can be hard to identify and unpick what has caused it. It may not be life-threatening but it can be very serious for some people. If you come across someone who has this type of allergy, which is sometimes referred to as food intolerance, please don’t underestimate or dismiss it. It is still an allergy. What might appear to be a slight rash and mild discomfort can actually cause severe symptoms, real distress, and illness for others. For information on symptoms, treatment, and prevention, please follow this link. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-intolerance/
Mixed IgE & Non-IgE allergy
In addition to the above, it is also possible for someone to have a combination of both types of allergy.
Why not take five minutes to click through to the linked pages to get a better understanding of the issues?
