WHEN TO SEEK HELP

such as facial flushing, abdominal pain and headache.

In a food intolerance, the more of the substance you eat, the worse the reaction. And while the symptoms can be uncomfortable, they aren’t potentially life-threatening. They often include bloating, feeling gassy, burping and farting, diarrhoea, skin rashes, headaches and feeling tired.

As there is some overlap between the symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance.

Usually the symptoms of a food intolerance start within a few hours after eating the food, while allergic reactions may happen much more quickly. If you have a food intolerance you may be able to eat a small amount of the food without it leading to symptoms, while with an allergy even a tiny amount of the substance can lead to a reaction.

If you’re unsure, speak to your GP who may refer you for allergy testing, which can involve skin prick tests or blood tests. Plus, keep a food diary – write down everything you eat each day and whether or not you have a reaction and what the reaction is. Treating a food allergy involves avoiding the relevant food, but this can be difficult. You may also be given antihistamines and potentially an adrenaline autoinjector pen for use in case of anaphylaxis.

If you are concerned that someone may be having anaphylaxis – a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction – this is a medical emergency, so call 999.