The difference between an allergy, an intolerance and a sensitivity

As it is allergy awareness month, I thought it might be useful to talk about the differences between allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities.

The words allergy, intolerance, and sensitivity are terms used to describe adverse reactions to various substances. These might be substances such as food, medication, or environmental factors. However, they differ in their underlying mechanisms and severity of symptoms.

An allergy is an immune system response to a substance that the body mistakenly recognises as harmful. The immune system produces antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) in response to the allergen, which triggers the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause symptoms such as swelling, hives, itching, or anaphylaxis. Allergies can be life-threatening and require prompt medical attention. Most commonly known allergies are to substances such:

·         Tree and grass pollen (hay fever)

·         House dust mites.

·         Foods, such as peanuts, milk, and eggs (food allergy)

·         Animal fur, particularly from pets like cats and dogs.

·         Insect stings, such as bee and wasp stings.

·         Certain medicines, such as penicillin.

An intolerance is a non-immunological reaction to a substance that does not involve the immune system. It occurs when the body is unable to digest or metabolise a particular substance, such as lactose in dairy products, gluten in wheat, or histamine in certain foods. The symptoms of intolerance are usually less severe than allergies and may include bloating, gas, diarrhoea, or headaches/migraines. This is most used when referring to food intolerance such as:

·         Dairy.

·         Gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and grains like rye and barley.

·         Egg.

·         Almonds and other nuts.

·         Yeast.

A sensitivity is a term used to describe a wide range of adverse reactions to substances that do not involve the immune system or an inability to digest or metabolise a substance. Sensitivity can manifest in many different ways, including skin irritation, headaches, or digestive issues. The symptoms of sensitivity may be mild or severe, and the cause is often difficult to identify. Sensitivities that we have come across include:

·         Light

·         Sound

·         Touch

·         Taste

·         Smell

·         Vestibular

·         Interoceptive

·         Proprioceptive

In summary, allergies involve an immune system response, intolerances involve an inability to digest or metabolise a substance, and sensitivities involve adverse reactions without an immunological or digestive mechanism.

It's important to seek medical or professional advice if you suspect you have any of these conditions to receive a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

A holistic approach can be very beneficial when working to alleviate some allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities. Having said that, if you experience an immune response to an allergen or substance then please make sure that you have sought medical advice first to rule out any life-threatening conditions. There are some allergic and intolerance responses that have long-term adverse effects on a person’s health and need to be investigated fully.

I have an intolerance to dairy, egg, Brazil nuts and Cashew nuts, these cause an identifiable response in blood testing and I have a sensitivity to wheat if I overload myself with it. I can minimise the effects of these by using NLP and hypnotherapy however I choose to avoid them as I accept that it places a burden on my system if I consume them.