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A member asked:

What's the difference between an intolerance and allergy?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Broad v specific: An allergy reaction is a very specific sort of immune response involving a specific set of cells and inflammatory mediators. An intolerance has a much broader definition and is typically not an immune system reaction. Lactose intolerance, for instance, is an enzyme deficiency that makes one unable to digest lactose.

Answered 2/13/2013

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