When ordering a food intolerance test, you need to differentiate between a food allergy and food intolerance. Check out the three ways that you can immediately tell the difference. It could be the difference between having a bloated stomach and you feeling on top of your health.
1) Time-sensitive reactions
If you have a food allergy, then you will experience symptoms almost immediately after you consume the food allergen. Your symptoms will be incredibly severe and painful, with some even potentially life-threatening. If an allergy is untreated it can be very dangerous and if you suspect that you have an allergy, then we recommend you immediately consult your doctor.
If you have a food intolerance, then your symptoms could appear up to 72 hours after you have consumed the offending item. Intolerances are harder to diagnose due to this factor, but they are very rarely life-threatening. To discover what is causing your food intolerance, you can order an intolerance test from Sensitivity Check here.
2) Severity of symptoms
If a food allergy goes untreated, it is potentially life-threatening, especially due to anaphylaxis shock. If you have a food allergy then after eating a particular item you can get an itchy sensation inside your mouth, or a raised itchy red rash upon your skin. To foods that you may be more allergic to, an individual may experience swelling of the face, particularly around the lips and eyes, and you may experience vomiting. In the most serious of cases, a severe allergic reaction could lead to anaphylactic shock.
If you have an intolerance, your symptoms may occur up to 72 hours later. So, you can say goodbye to your bloated stomach, headaches, and runny nose if you stop eating what is causing your intolerances. This is called an elimination diet and is a key way to manage your intolerances by removing certain foods.
3) The cause of your food allergy or intolerance
Starting with an intolerance, this can be caused by overindulging on a particular item or overexposure to a certain item. If you eat something constantly, then your body may not be able to tolerate that food any longer. If you stop eating that food and eliminate from your diet, then you can begin to eat that food again after the recommended time has passed.
Food allergy is completely different. Food allergies happen when the immune system thinks an item is bad when actually it is normal. The NHS notes that food allergy is when the body mistakenly treats proteins which are found in foods as a threat. A number of chemicals are then released and it is these chemicals which cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Almost any foods can cause an allergic reaction, and a food allergy is often hereditary.
For more information on food intolerances and ordering a food intolerance test, please do speak to our customer service advisors via LiveChat on www.sensitivitycheck.com. If you suspect that you might have a food allergy, please consult your doctor immediately!
