Food intolerance is one of the categories of food allergies and is caused by the food itself; meaning that it is not the consequence of an over-reaction of the body’s immune system. In food-allergies the human body develops IgE antibodies to particular epitopes in the allergens.Very often the allergies can become quite lethal. Some of the reactions that are seen caused by these are oropharyngeal pruritis, angioedema, stridor, dyspnea, wheezing and dysphonia.

Though food allergy and food-intolerance are very akin to each other, the allergies are far more serious than intolerances. If you are intolerant of certain foods you can still eat small portions of food that you are allergic to. You can treat a food-allergy as soon as you see the symptoms. It would be more advisable to avoid foods that you are allergic to. But if it does occur an epinephrine injection is supposed to be the best treatment for it. It is not very easy to diagnose between an allergy and intolerance to eatables.The food-allergy patterns vary in children and adults. Invariably children develop allergies from foods like milk, eggs and peanuts and if these products are generally avoided such allergies can be prevented.