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In today’s article we will look at the difference between allergy, sensitization, intolerance and hypersensitivity.
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings and affect our health in different ways.
What is an allergy? types and symptoms of allergies
An allergy is a hypersensitive reaction of our immune system to substances called allergens. Allergens are usually proteins found in plants, animals, fungi or other environmental factors. Our body identifies these proteins as a threat and in response produces antibodies, mainly immunoglobulin E (IgE). This leads to the release of histamine and other chemicals that trigger allergy symptoms.
Allergy symptoms can vary and include sneezing, runny nose, itching, rash, difficulty breathing, swelling, diarrhea and other symptoms. There are many types of allergies, such as food allergy, pollen allergy, animal hair allergy and contact allergy.
What is intolerance and what are its types?
Intolerance is different from allergy because it is not a reaction of the immune system. Intolerance occurs when the body cannot digest or process certain substances or nutrients. This may be due to a lack of enzymes responsible for digesting these substances or other problems in the digestive system.
Examples of intolerances include lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance, gluten intolerance (celiac disease) and histamine intolerance. Symptoms of intolerance may be similar to those of allergies, but are not caused by an immune reaction. Instead, they result from difficulty digesting or processing certain substances.
How to distinguish allergy from intolerance?
It can be difficult to distinguish an allergy from an intolerance because the symptoms can often overlap. However, there are some differences that help understand what we are dealing with:
Allergy is an immune reaction, so it can be detected by allergy tests such as skin tests or blood tests for IgE antibody levels. Intolerance does not cause immune reactions and is not detected by these tests.
Allergy symptoms usually appear very quickly after contact with the allergen, often within a few minutes to an hour. In the case of intolerance, symptoms may be delayed and appear even several hours after consuming the problematic substance.
Allergy treatment often involves avoiding allergens and using antihistamines or other allergy medications. Intolerance often requires dietary adjustments or treatment aimed at relieving symptoms.
Your suggestions
If you suspect you have an allergy or intolerance, it is important to consult your doctor. A specialist can conduct appropriate tests and make a diagnosis, and then plan appropriate treatment or adjust the diet.
Recommended articles
If you want to learn more about allergies, sensitivities, intolerances and hypersensitivities, we recommend reading the following articles:
– “How to recognize and treat food allergies” – “Is there a treatment for lactose intolerance?” – “Gluten sensitivity – what is worth knowing” – “Symptoms of histamine intolerance and how to deal with them”
By fully understanding the difference between allergy, sensitization, intolerance and hypersensitivity, we can better manage our health and avoid potential health problems associated with these body reactions.