There is always much confusion over allergies vs. intolerances. Allergies are rare, often permanent and cause an immediate and usually dramatic response. Intolerances are quite common, usually temporary, and tend to be a delayed response although they often give no noticeable symptom at all.

Food Allergies
A food allergy can be defined as any adverse, and often immediate reaction to food in which the immune system is involved. Symptoms include swollen lips, mouth and tongue, urticaria (rash) and vomiting. These will occur very immediately upon eating an allergenic food. The only reliable tests for allergic reactions are the Prick or RAST (Radio-immunodiffusion Test).

Food Intolerance
Food intolerance, on the other hand, differs in that they often appear many hours, even days after eating the offending food. In the case of food intolerance, partially digested food enters the blood stream and triggers a normal immune system reaction. This reaction is very different to an allergic reaction and may lead to long term problems such as anxiety, mouth ulcers, aching joints and muscles, fatigue, headaches/migraine, sinus and digestive disturbances (indigestion, bloating and gas), hyperactivity and weight gain. The most common food intolerances are wheat, cow dairy and stimulants such as coffee, sugar and chocolate. Food intolerances are very common and unlike allergies, can be reversed.