Is this a food allergy, or food intolerance?

My mom has a friend who claims to be "highly allergic" to mushrooms. However, it sounds to me like she might be highly INTOLERANT to mushrooms. I know in some cases, it's tricky to tell the difference, so let's see what you think...

When the friend eats anything with mushrooms in it, she develops severe diarrhea and intestinal cramping. Sometimes she also feels nauseous. However, she has NONE of the following signs that often accompany a food allergy: sore or irritated mouth, swollen tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or a rash.

She avoids mushrooms no matter what, so it doesn't really matter which situation she suffers from. However, as someone who suffers from chronic CURIOSITY ;) I'd simply like to know whether she has an allergy or an intolerance, especially since I'm not always clear on the differences.

Thanks all!

This *sounds* like an intolerance due to a lack of a systemic histamine response. However, some with "typical" IgE mediated allergy antibodies also display these GI (stomach)symptoms as well.

The only way to determine for sure would be with blood testing to see if she is having an IgG/IgA (usually associated with intolerance) or IgE response. Some people have both.

Either way, she should avoid mushrooms...which it seems she will! ;)

since this sounds like something an antihistamine (spell check) like Benedryll cant control i'd go with intolerance

she could have a narrowing in her digestive tract. Mushrooms do not digest and when passing through the narrow area she could be experiencing a temporary blockage which would cause all the symptons you described.

This sounds like a intolerance problem. It does not have the allergic reaction signs you described. In either case, they should avoid mushrooms. That shouldn't be to hard. I have a friend that can eat all but siitake mushrooms. They immediately give her the same symptoms you described. I can't eat cheese. And, I really love cheese. And, my best friend's wife gets a migraine every time she eats onions. That's life.

It could be she has an intolerance to somethign else besides the mushroom like gluten, or dairy. But until she actually sees a GI doc or an allergist she'll (and you) never know!

Not all allergens cause the typical reaction, closed throat, difficulty breathing.

An intolerance indicates the person should not eat the offending food BUT will probably not DIE from one ingestion. I.E. Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease in which a person cannot digest the protein, gluten, found in wheat, rye, barley and sometimes oats. Ppl with CD dont eat gluten and once they go Gluten Free, their symptoms disappear. They avoid it bc it hurts, is painful and a nuisance and if left untreated can kill. But one time ingesting gluten won't typically kill a person with CD, it'll just make their life miserable until it's out of their system!

Since her reaction seems to be of more an intolerance, I'd suggest she get checked out. I have NEVER heard of mushroom intolerance. She could indeed have another GI problem, as mentioend above. She could also have Celiac Disease, as gluten is in MANY foods you dont know and the symptoms dont always occur every time u eat gluten nor, are the symptoms always the same.

For info on how to get diagnosed see, the links i add below.
Amy
Chairperson Louisiana North Shore Celiac Sprue Associaton

Hmm, I think its kind of funny that all of her symptoms are those that cant be seen by others, lol. Not saying that she doesn't have them, just sounds kind of strange. Remember though that every person reacts differently to food allergies and intolerances. And, there are different levels of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. When my girls were little they were allergic to the powdered formula so we had to buy the lactose free soy kind. Their reactions to lactose included diarrhea and stomach cramping, just like your moms friend. She may have the internal symptoms and none of the external.....very possible. Hope this helped!

i dont know the difference between it

I think it might be a food allergy. But she should go to a doctor to be tested. And maybe even a allergist. The allergy test consist of a small prick. Or they can do a blood test to find out.