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Is It A Food Allergy? Or A Food Intolerance?

Food allergy or food intolerance? Yes, there's a difference and it could mean sending someone to the hospital.

Do most people you know have food allergies? If the answer is yes, many of those people likely don't have food allergies but an intolerance. 

New research shows about 26 million Americans have a food allergy. That's 1 in 10 adults. Nearly half developed it during adulthood. 

The main difference is that food allergies can be deadly. Eating, touching, even inhaling microscopic amounts of food allergens can cause people to have serious reactions like severe vomiting, diarrhea, hives or difficulty breathing. 

Just 8 foods cause most allergic reactions. 90-percent of reactions are caused by eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat. 

You can't be just a little allergic. If food just gives you some bloating, gas or migraines, you probably have a food intolerance.

Make sure you talk to your doctor about any concerns about food allergies or intolerance.

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