Asthma Info: Is this a food allergy, or food intolerance?

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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!

-zelmer357
since this sounds like something an antihistamine (spell check) like Benedryll cant control i'd go with intolerance

-booger
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.

-ontopofoldsmokie
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.

-reginachick22
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! ;)

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