545050 Sat Aug 02 22:24:42 -0700 2008 5 29 Not About Food 0 3925660 What is the difference? And, do too many people conflate, or even worse, confuse, the two? Sat Aug 02 22:24:43 -0700 2008 11583 ipsedixit 1 3925809 I'm not 100% certain of the precise definition, but I tend of think of an allergy as being a serious reaction that may necessitate medical attention, whereas a food sensitivity my make one feel ill, but not be life-threatening. For me, I'm "sensitive" to bittersweet chocolate, bananas, pineapples, and avocados - they all cause a rash, but nothing life-threatening. On the other hand, canned green chillis (you know, those ones from 0rtega) cause a reaction that lands me in the emergency room (my joints swell - go figure). Sun Aug 03 02:46:23 -0700 2008 3925660 58039 ElsieDee 1 3926251 Food Sensitivity - Food Intolerance: Definition: An unpleasant reaction to food that, unlike a food allergy, does not involve an immune system response or the release of histamine. Source: http://foodallergies.about.com/od/glossary/g/foodintolerance.htm Allergy: Definition: An allergy is any immune system reaction involving Immunoglobulin E to a substance usually thought of as benign, such as food or pollen. (added - Allergies typically involve the release of histamines in the body.) Source: http://foodallergies.about.com/od/glossary/g/allergy.htm Sun Aug 03 09:26:55 -0700 2008 3925660 93805 hannaone 1 3926414 As the mother of a small child with a life-threatening allergy to peanuts, cashews and hazelnuts, it would be nice if only folks whose health is truly threatened by a food allergy would use the term allergic. Because when folks with sensitivities or just plain dislike use the word allergy to keep an ingredient off their plate, they dilute the seriousness with which real allergies are taken. I am sensitive to raw bananas and walnuts and I just don't order anything with these ingredients. The good news is that there are more and more places that are taking reall food allergies seriously + doing a good job of training their staff. Sun Aug 03 10:54:04 -0700 2008 3925660 169994 pengcast 2 3926696 Not all "real" food allergies are life threatening. Allergies range from mild to life threatening, but surely those who have milder allergies do have the right to use the term "allergic." I am allergic to mold and it's only in severely damp conditions that I start to experience asthma attacks. Similarly, some people with food allergies can have small amounts of said food before experiencing a fairly bad reaction. I had a friend who is allergic to some fruits and can have about a slice before it gets to the point where her throat starts to close up. One slice just makes her a bit itchy. Sun Aug 03 13:24:54 -0700 2008 3926414 107671 queencru 1 3926531 Here's an article that you may find helpful: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/food-allergy-intolerances Yes, and many people confuse the two. Many say they have food allergies when in fact they have food intolerances. And there are those who say they have food allergies when they just plainly don't like something. If somebody says they're intolerant of something, I find that they generally know what they're talking about as I've never heard of anybody say they're intolerant and have it turn out to be an allergy or a dislike. Sun Aug 03 11:52:59 -0700 2008 3925660 10763 Miss Needle