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A food allergy is an adverse response from a persons immune system to a food protein. It is estimated that approximately 6% of children and 4% of adults have some form of food allergy.
Food allergy symptoms usually occur no more than two hours after consumption of the food allergen, and vary from mild tingling sensations to swelling, vomiting, loss of consciousness and in rare cases, death.
Having food allergies correctly diagnosed is a job for qualified doctors. Typically, a skin prick test or blood test will be required to confirm their presence.
Although there is no cure for food allergies, management of the allergies is critical and is best undertaken by complete avoidance of foods that cause reactions.
A food intolerance is a delayed negative reaction to a food or food additive. Rather than being related to the immune system, it is often caused by the absence of enzymes needed to digest specific foods. It is estimated that approximately 10% of people have some form of food intolerance.
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