A sensitivity, as opposed to an allergy, happens gradually and isn’t life-threatening.
For instance, if your stomach aches and you cramp up after eating a pint of ice cream, but feel fine when you eat cheese on your sandwich, then you may have lactose sensitivity. More severe food sensitivities,Aka- intolerances, occur when the body lacks a particular enzyme for digestion (such as in celiac disease). But intolerances are not necessarily life-threatening. (according to everyday health.)
In contrast, a true allergy can trigger anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction by your immune system that causes the body to go into shock. Usually people that have severe allergies are aware of them and have emergency medicine on-hand.
The most common cases of true allergic reactions involve: tree nuts, insect stings, or medications. Again, people are often confused about whether they have a sensitivity to a medication or a true allergy. Do you have your own reactions? My mom told me I was allergic to penicillin and sulfa when I was a kid. I honestly don’t know if this is true. I had food allergy tests as a child which indicated I was allergic to several foods but nothing life threatening. In my opinion I have grown out of these.
Today we have Dr Harding and I’m going to ask her IF we do in fact grow out of these allergies/ sensitivities/ intolerances.
One commonly reported medication allergy; is an allergy to penicillin. In reality, however, doctors are finding that more people have sensitivities to medications like with penicillin than true allergies. Someone who is truly allergic to penicillin generally reacts immediately or within a few hours after a dose, with symptoms that range from mild wheezing to anaphylaxis. ( from Everyday health) nothing to gamble with in my opinion..I avoid.