There is a common misconception among a large part of the population that a sensitivity is the same as an allergy; this is not the case, though a sensitivity to a known irritant can, with time, result in a full-blown allergy.
Stay a step ahead of the game by understanding the difference.
Allergy – Any substance provoking an altered reaction in the body, resulting in increased production of IgE, a substance in blood tissues triggered when the body is exposed to a known allergen. Release of IgE results in symptoms including watery eyes, itching, sneezing, coughing and more. Typically, when one has an allergy, they have a reaction to a food or other product within a few hours or immediately after exposure.
Sensitivity – A reaction that occurs to a food or other substance similar to an allergic reaction, but to a lesser degree. A patient may exhibit symptoms many hours or days after exposure. Symptoms may include discomfort, slight rash, irritation or gas in the case where someone has food intolerance.
When someone is “sensitive” to a product, they do not necessarily have to avoid the substance altogether, but if they do they decrease the chances they will develop a full allergy.
Many people mistakenly think they have an allergy to a food or other substance when really, they are just sensitive, meaning their body doesn’t tolerate exposure as well as it might in other people. Sensitivities often result in chronic symptoms that can lead to mysterious “illnesses” like frequent nasal drip, abdominal pain or distention, coughing, ulcers, repeated ear infections or even respiratory problems and frequent headaches. The greater the volume of a product you are exposed to, and the lower or more weakened your immune system, the more likely you are to react negatively to an irritant.
Understanding the difference between an allergy and sensitivity is difficult. Often, you would treat both similarly; your best bet is to avoid the known irritant. You may not need to take medication for sensitivity however, whereas in the case of an allergy, more than likely you will want to have some form of medication available to help mitigate your symptoms.
