What is allergy?
When the immune system reacts to some "common substance" and produces anti-bodies against this substance, there is a question of allergy. It is an hereditary, genetic misprogramming causing the immune system to react unexpectedly. Normally, the immune system protects us against, for example, bacteria and viruses. When there is an allergy "allergy anti-bodies" are produced (lgE, immunoglobulin E) against a special substance. Next time the allergic person comes into contact with this substance a reaction is started in the body, in the form of allergic symptoms. You can be allergic to just one substance, or to many different things.
Hypersensitivity
A hypersensitive person can react just like an allergic person with symptoms like nettle-rash, hay fever and asthma, but the immune system is not involved here. It is defined as a pathologically heightened sensitivity in one or more of the body's organs.
Intolerance
Intolerance means that the body does not tolerate a specific substance. The most common types of intolerance is gluten intolerance and lactose intolerance.
