Allergies involve an immune system reaction to a substance, while sensitivities do not, but both can cause serious symptoms. Intolerances occur when the body lacks the substances needed to process something. It is important to consult a doctor and be aware of these conditions to avoid exposure to offending substances.
The main difference between an allergy and a sensitivity is that an allergy is characterized by a reaction of the immune system to a substance, whereas a sensitivity does not involve any immune response. Both, however, can be quite serious, as can intolerances, and a range of symptoms can be caused by allergies, sensitivities and intolerances. For this reason it is good to consult a doctor for symptoms that appear to be related to exposure to certain substances, to understand exactly what is happening.
In case of an allergy, the immune system learns to attack a certain substance for an unknown reason. For an allergic response to develop, someone must be exposed to the substance at least once before the response occurs. A classic example of an allergic reaction is to peanuts, where the immune system views peanuts as harmful and goes into overdrive when someone consumes peanuts or is exposed to peanut products.
Some common symptoms related to allergic reactions are dermatological symptoms such as eczema and hives, respiratory problems, anaphylaxis, rhinitis and shock. These symptoms can occur immediately, or within hours, depending on the type of allergy and the severity of the immune system response.
A sensitivity does not lead to any immune system response, but can still produce a variety of symptoms, ranging from problems in the digestive tract to neurological problems. Some of the problems associated with sensitivities can become life-threatening, especially if someone is repeatedly exposed to a substance, which is why it’s important to be aware of sensitivities. Commonly, sensitivities manifest in the form of abstract symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, a constant runny nose, and a general feeling of being unwell, which can make it difficult to trace the offending substance.
In the case of an intolerance, someone’s body doesn’t have the substances it needs to process something. A well-known example of intolerance is lactose intolerance, caused by a lack of the enzyme needed to digest milk. When a person with lactose intolerance consumes dairy products, the results can be quite unpleasant and often very unpleasant, as their digestive system struggles to cope with the milk.
Allergies, sensitivities and intolerances should be taken seriously. In some cases, treatments are available that can help reduce the severity of the response to something, and in some cases eliminate the response altogether. In other cases, no treatment may be available, in which case it’s important to be explicit to avoid exposure to the offending substance.
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