Food Intolerance In Children: How It Differs From Child Food Allergies

What Is Food Allergy In Children?

Medical professionals and allergists often support the more narrow definition of food allergy. Their stance is that a true food allergy is one that elicits a true allergic reaction; a true allergic reaction is the result of a build-up of excessive amounts of the immune system antibody immunoglobulin E, or IgE. In most cases, the build-up of IgE comes after repeated exposure to an allergen.

When IgE builds up to a certain level, the body will begin to react in defense of the body; histamine, leukotriene, and other blood chemicals are released which result in the typical allergy symptoms well-known to most people. In the case of a true food allergy in children, IgE should be present and identifiable in the bloodstream.

What Is Food Intolerance in Children?

In effect, food intolerance in children presents in much the same manner as food allergy in children. Any of the following allergy-like symptoms may be present:

• Common nasal allergy symptoms and/or congestion
• Hives, rash, skin reactions
• Eczema
• Stomach upset or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal cramping or pain
• General malaise and fatigue

In the most basic terms, a doctor will choose a diagnosis of food hypersensitivity or food intolerance in children instead of a diagnosis of food allergy in children when there is not presence of immune antibodies. Allergy testing, such as RAST blood tests or scratch/skin tests will be negative, but allergy symptoms will persist. Essentially, the end result is the same—certain foods are causing negative bodily reactions—but the condition is termed differently.

Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance in Children—Does It Matter?

There are some instances where a diagnosis of food allergy in children rather than a diagnosis of food intolerance in children may make a difference.

• When severe food allergies exist that require special medical attention and emergency procedures (i.e., when anaphylaxis is a threat, or when a child requires an injectable epinephrine prescription in case of exposure); the diagnosis of a food allergy may be more recognizable and taken more seriously by some people. A medical food allergy diagnosis also tells emergency medical personnel precisely what to look for.
• When desensitization via allergy shots/immunotherapy is an option; in order for immunotherapy (allergy shots) to be effective, the right allergen extract must be introduced to desensitize against immune antibodies. Allergy shots are not effective when immune antibodies are not causing symptoms.
• In the selection of effective medications; allergy medications are formulated to act on different body structures and blood chemicals. A decongestant may still prove effective for a child with a food intolerance, but an antihistamine may not, as histamines may not be present causing the symptoms because there is no underlying antibody reaction.

By and large, though, a diagnosis of food allergy in children as opposed to food intolerance in children will not significantly impact the outcome. The reason for this is that the best management of food allergies in children and food intolerance in children is elimination and avoidance. So while it is very important to identify the foods that are causing a food allergy or food intolerance in children, the motivation remains the same—to know what is causing symptoms so that the offensive foods can be eliminated as much as possible.

An affected child's doctor or allergist can help devise a plan for identification of triggers of food intolerance in children; normally identifying food intolerances consists of a process of research and trial and error elimination. Since limiting foods can create health problems for children and since knowing where to start can be very difficult, food elimination processes should always be performed under the control of a physician. With that information in hand, learning to manage food intolerance in children is a matter of managing the child's diet.