Dietetics
Food allergies and intolerances
The important difference between the two, and why self-diagnosis is risky.
4 min read
What it is
An allergy is an immune reaction, can be triggered by a tiny amount, and may be severe. An intolerance — lactose being the most common — is a digestive difficulty that is uncomfortable but not dangerous, and often dose-dependent. Cutting out major food groups on suspicion alone risks nutritional gaps, particularly in children.
What to look for
Allergy: hives, swelling of the lips or face, vomiting, wheeze, usually within minutes to two hours
Intolerance: bloating, cramps, wind or diarrhoea, often hours later
Symptoms that appear only with certain foods and repeat reliably
Sensible things to do at home
- Keep a food and symptom diary for two weeks before your appointment
- Do not remove entire food groups from a child's diet without guidance
- If an adrenaline auto-injector has been prescribed, carry it and check the expiry date
- Read labels and learn the alternative names for your trigger
When to see us
- Any suspected true allergy — this needs proper assessment, not an elimination guess
- Your child is avoiding several foods and growth or energy is affected
- Any swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing — this is an emergency
To book, phone the practice on 058 813 2777 or send us a message. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency department or call 10177.