A: People have food allergies and food sensitivities, Heather. Allergic reactions to foods are fast and dramatic, such as wheezing or facial swelling, whereas sensitivities usually show up as facial or fanny rash, runny nose or hives but do not appear to be life threatening.

The most common food allergies and sensitivities come from cow's milk, wheat, legumes (including nuts and soy), chocolate, citrus (before a child is 1 year of age) and strawberries. Some young children have large amounts of gas with cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, but these are not considered allergies. Children who develop lactose intolerance, often after illness or antibiotic use, are also not displaying an allergy but rather an inability to digest the milk sugar lactose due to a temporary decrease in lactase enzymes in the intestine. Sensitivity reactions can lessen over time but allergies are usually life-long.