WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE . . .

...between an allergy and an intolerance?

A FOOD allergy is when the body’s immune system reacts badly to certain foods, such as milk, eggs, nuts, fish and some fruit and vegetables.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction include an itchy sensation in the mouth, a rash or facial swelling. These are usually mild but can be serious – a severe allergic reaction can trigger anaphylaxis, a lifethreatening condition where the body goes into shock.

A food intolerance is when the body finds it hard to digest something. This can lead to bloating and tummy pain, but these usually last only a few hours and are never severe.

Common foods that can trigger the problem are gluten and dairy products, as well as caffeine and alcohol.