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Food Intolerance Vs. Allergy

A MyFoodAllergyTeam Member asked a question 💭
Canandaigua, NY

I have food intolerances. I get very sick with wheat. It feels like I'm going to die. I my skin test showed a giant hive for wheat, but my blood work is neg. I had a positive skin test for dairy, but I can eat it with no problems. I don't understand.

April 28, 2016
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Answer Summary

Members shared widespread frustration over the disconnect between allergy test results and their actual physical reactions, with many... Read more

Members shared widespread frustration over the disconnect between allergy test results and their actual physical reactions, with many experiencing severe symptoms despite negative blood work or conversely testing positive for foods they can eat without issue. Several members described practical strategies they've found helpful, including elimination diets to identify true triggers, monitoring inflammation levels in the body, rotating foods to avoid overexposure, and working with dieticians to ensure nutritional balance while avoiding problem foods. A recurring theme was the importance of trusting your own body over test results, as members recounted stories of going into anaphylaxis despite negative tests or being dismissed by doctors who prioritized lab work over lived experience.

A MyFoodAllergyTeam Member

There are different types of reactions depending on how your exposed to your allergen. There are lots of false positives and false negatives and the only way to actually confirm an allergen is to do a food elimination test and see how you feel.

May 4, 2016
A MyFoodAllergyTeam Member

First, there is no such thing as intolerance. You have a mild allergy to wheat....well it sounds like its a lot more then mild. You need to find out everything that has wheat in it and avoid it. Your body cannot calm down until you get it out of your life completely. Wheat has many names and you are going to have to read your tables to everything. The best way to avoid eating wheat is by eating meat & vegetables. If you like toast or bread there are several gluten-free brands that you can purchase.

Dairy allergies usually you would get bloating, gas, or diahreaha are the normal symptoms to a mild allergy. There are a lot more symptoms but for me that is what I experience when I consume dairy products. There are milk solutions as well as cheese, and other dairy products. Again here there are several names to dairy that are hidden in food such as pepperonis or some white wines have hidden sources of dairy in them.

Allergy testing is not 100% accurate. Doctor's and Scientists right now are trying to find out what is going on with food allergies, and come up with better testing in the future. The best way for me was doing an elimination diet for several weeks. Its hard to do because you have to eliminate every source of that allergen for several weeks before you are even allowed to consume any. But that is something you can discuss with your doctor. Good Luck!!

June 14, 2016
A MyFoodAllergyTeam Member

My doctor and others told me not allergic bc none of my "intolerances" show up in my blood work. Won't even consider skin testing. 🤯😕

January 10, 2024
A MyFoodAllergyTeam Member

Here in Canada I think they only call it an allergy if your reaction is so severe it can kill you, otherwise they label it an intolerance. When I was in the U.S. they called them all allergies. The symptoms of an “intolerance” can be severe enough to make you really sick. They all a malfunction of the immune system, so I believe they should all be treated as allergies. Otherwise it is too easy for a doctor to write it off as unimportant.

November 20, 2023
A MyFoodAllergyTeam Member

Agree allergy tests are not accurate. My partner tested all negative and still reacts. I react worse on overload, that is having several allergies at once. Years ago I went on 2 week fast, only drank spring water, while on vacation,then added foods back slowly in small doses to find allergies and intolerance. Only the body knows!

November 10, 2023

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