So what's the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?

If I have a food allergy can I also be those types of food intolerant?
Please explain it in your own words, I can read a definition in the encyclopedia as well. An answer from a doctor would be highly appreciated here.

(The reason I am asking this question is that I am trying to maybe somehow assess whether if I have IBS and food allergies I may be wheat/glutem intolerant. And I have heard many people with IBS are gluten/wheat intolerant. Maybe finding this out would make my life easier.)

In an allergy your body tries to fight off the offending food, it's more immediate, and can be life threatening really quickly.

In an intolerance your body is unable to digest the food, and sometimes (like with celiac disease) your immune system actually damages your intestines to try to keep you from absorbing the food. Food intolerances can cause you to be malnourished (from damaged intestines) and cause a host of other symtoms due to not absorbing food.

An allergy has the potential to affect the whole body. When you're sick with an infection your body will make stuff to fight it off, just like when you have an allergy your body sees it as an invasion and tries to "fight it off". An intolerance generally involves just the digestive tract and is caused mainly by a lack of a specific enzyme that breaks down a specific food. The symptoms are also generally different, Allergy: hives, itchy, swelling, difficulty breathing... Intolerance (GI manifestations): diarrhea or constipation, nausea, vomiting... Allergies are life threatening whereas an intolerance is generally not. I hope that helps

Dont know much but try this link

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=w...

with an allergy you have a reaction like swelling or rash, intolerance you have an upset stomach or intestinal problem

I agree with "Nursen' ".

Use the source below to compare the differences:

There are a lot of allergens out there today because of chemicals that will cause your body to break out inside or outside. My son gets these horrible rashes with chicken, chocolate and strawberries. On the other hand, his stomach clogs up with too much dairy and wheat products and he throws up constantly. He has IBS. He takes Nexium and can still eat what he likes in moderation. My other son has animal and grass allergies. He plays with the animals in the grass and come home covered in a horrible rash. I make sure the dogs are washed and that the grass is short. I also clean it with a murphys oil soap in a water hose spray bottle, not a chemical, to get rid of bugs. Then he can still play with the animals and enjoy the grass.

BOth mean the same