Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerance
This is the second in a series with Dr. Sandeep Gupta, Pediatric Gastroenterologist at OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria.
It's estimated that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies, nearly 6 million of those are children. According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), more than 170 foods have been reported to cause allergic reactions with milk, eggs, peanuts and other nuts, wheat, soy, and shellfish responsible for the most serious reactions.
Dr. Sandeep Gupta is a Pediatric Gastroenterologist with OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria. He treats a wide range of conditions dealing with the digestive tract.
Dr. Gupta says what are known as adverse food reactions can be separated into two types: food allergies and food intolerance. Food intolerance is what many people have – they get migraines from coffee or cheese or get lactose intolerance from dairy products. It's even the kid who feel they will have a problem with broccoli or those who get heartburn from spicy or greasy foods – those are food intolerances.
Far fewer people have a true food allergy, but for them, it can be life threatening.
Allergic symptoms may begin within minutes to an hour after eating the food. Symptoms can vary between children but can include severe nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps or stomach pain, an itchy rash, or swelling of the face. If you have any concerns about your child contact your doctor.
Learn more about food allergies and intolerances through OSF Children's Hospital.