Food Allergies

[melly]

I had a pretty nasty reaction to lactose today. I'm just wondering how do I know if I'm intolerant to something vs. having an allergy? Or is it the same thing?

:frown: **feeling really bleh

 

[amnesiac]

A lot of times allergies will cause swelling and breakouts (hives, rashes, etc.) and in extreme cases may need a visit to the ER or an epinephrine/adrenaline shot.

If you get "bleh" / gassy / etc. from lactose it's probably intolerance as opposed to an allergy. I'd recommend taking a lactose intolerance supplement beforehand next time.

 

[Chaotic42]

I'm allergic to banana peppers. They make me swell up, make my skin peel, give me a terrible headache, fever, chills, projectile vomiting (well, vomiting and um, anyway), rashes, and dizziness.

That's my allergic reaction. You might just be intolerant.

 

[Gaard]

What's the difference? Just severity of reactions?

Nevermind...found the answer

 

[JimmyEatWorld]

I'm allergic to aspirin.
Sounds ridiculous I know, but when I take it, I get the worst runs imagionable.
The pain makes me break out in a sweat, and I almost threw up last time.
Good thing I finally realized what was causing it......
Not mention that it happened whenever I was taking aspirin for something else that was wrong..... sigh...bad times

 

[Bignate603]

I'm allergic to milk. It will literally cause me to stop breathing. Same thing with nuts. I've got epi-pens and stuff if I eat something I shouldn't.

 

[Lalakai]

another option to consider is a mild/moderate case of food poisoning. They are finding that many people have mild cases of food poisioning and pass it off as a case of 24 hr flu or similiar symptoms. If this is your first experience with a potential adverse reaction to lactose, review what you did on that day and the other foods you ate, and what you drank. If it happens again then you have a high probability of an adverse reaction though I wouldn't be able to say if it was intolerance or allergic (and not all allergic reactions show as external symptoms; our son is allergic to egg whites and wheat products but it reacts internally for him).

good luck

 

[TNTrulez]

Originally posted by: Lalakai
another option to consider is a mild/moderate case of food poisoning. They are finding that many people have mild cases of food poisioning and pass it off as a case of 24 hr flu or similiar symptoms. If this is your first experience with a potential adverse reaction to lactose, review what you did on that day and the other foods you ate, and what you drank. If it happens again then you have a high probability of an adverse reaction though I wouldn't be able to say if it was intolerance or allergic (and not all allergic reactions show as external symptoms; our son is allergic to egg whites and wheat products but it reacts internally for him).

good luck

nice

 

[Gaard]

another option to consider is a mild/moderate case of food poisoning. They are finding that many people have mild cases of food poisioning and pass it off as a case of 24 hr flu or similiar symptoms.

a la Kobe Bryant.

 

[The Dancing Peacock]

I have intermittent lactose intolerancy. Depending on the milkfat content, I think. Things like whipping cream and heavy cream in sauces don't always sit too well with me. If my mom cooks with either, I'm in the bathroom within a half hour. Domino's pizza too, gave me the worst reaction to cheese that I've ever had. Then the next time I had it, I was fine. But I just had some pizza, and I'm fine so far. I ate cheese everyday in Costa Rica, great cheese there btw and never once did I have a reaction to it.

 

[Azraele]

My two brothers had terrible food allergies in their childhood. Milk, eggs, sugar, corn, sorn syrup, sorn starch. It really sucked.

 

[Fausto]

I'm allergic to eggplant of all things. I end up barfing if I happen to eat very much of it. I've often wondered if it's because eggplant is a member of the nightshade family.

 

[yakko]

Originally posted by: Lalakai
another option to consider is a mild/moderate case of food poisoning. They are finding that many people have mild cases of food poisioning and pass it off as a case of 24 hr flu or similiar symptoms. If this is your first experience with a potential adverse reaction to lactose, review what you did on that day and the other foods you ate, and what you drank. If it happens again then you have a high probability of an adverse reaction though I wouldn't be able to say if it was intolerance or allergic (and not all allergic reactions show as external symptoms; our son is allergic to egg whites and wheat products but it reacts internally for him).

good luck

The only thing I would add to this is to review what you ate for the prior two days as well. Depending on the type of food posioning it can be in your system for 24 to 48 hours after you ate something. Also some food posioning is nothing more than people not washing all the soap off of the dishes.