What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?

Food allergies and food intolerances are usually treated in the same manner: avoiding the food that causes symptoms. Nevertheless, there are several differences in the way the body reacts to food in these two disorders:

Unlike allergies, most intolerances are not caused by an immune system response but by a reaction in the digestive tract. Due to this, it can be difficult to treat an accidental exposure to a substance one is intolerant to.

Food intolerances are often less severe than food allergies. In fact, sometimes intolerant individuals can eat small amounts of the food they are intolerant of without ill effect. Lactose intolerance is a familiar example; many people suffering of lactose intolerance find they can eat one serving of dairy products every other day without ill effect.

Unlike allergies, food intolerances do not require a first exposure to "prime" them.

Intolerances manifest a wide variety of symptoms. Many are gastrointestinal, though some may be fatigue, headaches, and "brain fog", feeling muddled in thought.

Intolerances, however, do not cause hives or other allergy symptoms.

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