Food Sensitivity

Filed in archive Food Allergies on October 7, 2007

In my previous post, we tackled the primary difference between food allergies and food intolerance. One involves an immune response, the other doesn't. But what about the less black-and-white difference between food allergies and food insensitivities?

Some medical practitioners say that the difference between a food allergy and food sensitivity is the degree of reaction. My son, for example, exhibits rashes, itching, and intestinal problems upon ingesting small amounts of peanuts. Skin contact also produces the same symptoms. He doesn't show symptoms when eating products labeled with "may contain peanuts". For other, though, who are more unfortunate, such a contact, or even being in the same room with some peanuts can trigger far worse symptoms, including life-threatening anaphylaxis.

However, the way I see it, an allergy is an allergy. As long as it involves an immune response, it would rather term it as food allergy. I tend to use "food sensitivity" as an umbrella term for both intolerance and food allergy. The way I see it, when one is sensitive to a food item, one shows symptoms after ingesting or contact with a food item that doesn't sit well. Symptoms may range from a mere upset stomach to hives and welts to shortness of breath and anaphylaxis.