Allergy Vs. Intolerance

[MallysMama]

I've been meaning to ask this question for a while. If there IS a difference - what is it? What makes an allergy different from an intolerance? Which one is "worse"? Which one do we, as Celiacs, have a problem with? I really should know this - and possibly did at one point - but I can't seem to remember. Thanks for your help!

[AndreaB]

Celiac is an intolerance to wheat. It does damage to the intestines and if it gets bad enough can damage other organs, cause other autoimmune diseases.

Allergies can be life threatening if they get bad enough. They are more likely to range from a stuffy nose to anaphylactic shock or death.

Untreated celiac can kill you and other autoimmune diseases can cause a lot of health problems. Allergies can kill you also if they get bad enough.

A gluten free diet takes care of the celiac end. With allergies you need to remove the food from the diet for a couple months to a year or more. If the allergy is moderate or high you'd want to stay on the longer end. I have been told by people that were allergic to certain foods that they can eat them now after being off of them for so long. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. If you remove a food and then bring it back in a some point you need to carefully monitor any reactions. They can manifest quickly in something like a stuffy nose and symptoms can worsen a little, like being tired the next morning. Symptoms can last 48 hours.

Here is a quote from a paper I was given from a doctor I saw about allergy testing.

"Observe carefully for any symptoms, especially within the first hour, 6-8 hours after ingestion, and 24 hours after the test meal. It is wise to keep a diary or journal so you can recall what specific symptoms were experienced, and how long it was after the test meal until they occurred. It is sometimes helpful if a family member also is observing for any personality changes or other objective symptoms.

A typical reaction to a problem food might be as follows. The 'problem food' (cheese, for example) is eaten for breakfast at 8:00 am. Half an hour later, you notice some sniffling and sneezing. An hour later, you feel jittery, shaky inside. Four hours after breakfast slight nausea is noted. Seven hours after the test meal (3:00 pm), you get a headache. This continues, gradually worsening, the rest of the day. The following morning you awaken feeling very tired, exhausted. As you drag out of bed, you notice that your joints feel stiff and a little sore. They gradually 'limber up' as the day progresses, but you feel tired throughout the entire day. The following morning you awaken beginning to feel more like your normal self. Just eating one problem food once could casue this 48-hour ordeal."

It goes on to talk about decided if the reactions are worth giving up the food or just minimizing intake. The longer you are off the food the better chance the body will forget it.

[MallysMama]

Thanks for your quick response - but I'm not sure of the answer you gave me. So - an intolerance is worse than an allergy? And we, as Celiacs, have an Intolerance rather than an allergy to gluten? I'm aware of what happens when it's eaten (I was diagnosed with Celiac before I was even 2 yrs old)....but I'm still not sure I understand the difference between allergies and intolerances. When someone asks me what Celiac is - which do I call it? An allergy to gluten or an intolerance to gluten? I've used both terms before...but I've never been sure which one it really is. And what about Lactose Intolerance - is that just as severe as Celiac? By ingesting lactose - does damage occur? What makes that an intolerance - but someone with problems with nuts has a major attack when even a trace amount of a nut is consumed and it's called an allergy? Hmm... any more answers?

[AndreaB]

Celiac is an intolerance to gluten. You may also be allergic, which an allergy test would tell you. I am both allergic and intolerant to gluten.

As far as lactose, I believe that is an allergy but I could be wrong. Usually casein is referred to as an intolerance. An intolerance to casein can also cause intestinal damage. I am dairy allergic, but not casein intolerant.

I'm sure this didn't really help you. Maybe someone else can offer more insight.

[MallysMama]

Celiac is an intolerance to gluten. You may also be allergic, which an allergy test would tell you. I am both allergic and intolerant to gluten.

As far as lactose, I believe that is an allergy but I could be wrong. Usually casein is referred to as an intolerance. An intolerance to casein can also cause intestinal damage. I am dairy allergic, but not casein intolerant.

I'm sure this didn't really help you. Maybe someone else can offer more insight.

Thank you - that helped clear up a few things. So, if you're dairy allergic - what happens when you eat something with dairy in it? Does it do damage to your body?

[AndreaB]

Thank you - that helped clear up a few things. So, if you're dairy allergic - what happens when you eat something with dairy in it? Does it do damage to your body?

No, it's a reaction to something in the dairy. Of the panel I got done (it doesn't list every dairy item), the only thing I wasn't allergic to was cheddar cheese. Maybe because it is aged. I currently still eat butter but am not going to buy more when it is gone. For me it is a mild allergy. I have seasonal allergies (June-August) so I don't know if some of my sneezing is due to dairy or not. If I were intolerant it would cause damage to my intestines. I really don't know why the body mounts an attack to allergies, whereas intolerances damage the intestines.