Summary

Food allergies and intolerances can sometimes cause diarrhea. It is thought that around 2% of adults in the EU have a genuine food allergy, while many more may actually have an intolerance – and the two are very different.

What’s the difference between food allergies & intolerances ?

Food allergies. With a food allergy, your body treats certain foods as a threat and your immune system works to fight against them. Allergic reactions include sneezing, rashes and swellings, and normally occur within minutes of contact with the allergenic food.

Common symptoms of a food allergy :

  • Itchiness or swelling around the mouth or throat
  • Swelling, flushed or itchy skin
  • Wheezing or short breath
  • A running nose & sore or itchy eyes
  • Nausea & vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Food intolerances. A food intolerance doesn’t involve your immune system and reactions are usually stomach related. They tend to develop hours or even days after eating the trigger food. 

Commons symptoms of a food intolerance:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Bloating
  • Abdominal pain

The most common food intolerance is to lactose – a sugar found in milk and other dairy products.

How to avoid food-related diarrhea

If you have a food allergy or intolerance, there are certain things you can do to manage your condition.

Read on for ways to manage your food intolerance

Do you have a food intolerance?

If you have diarrhea or another symptom that might be caused by a food allergy or intolerance, you can try to identify the trigger food by keeping a diary of what you eat every day and when you have the symptom.

If you think you have a food allergy or intolerance, see your doctor for advice.

How to treat diarrhea

If you’ve eaten something that’s upset your stomach and given you diarrhoea, you can treat it straight away. IMODIUM® works in harmony with your body to restore the normal rhythm of your digestive system. Far from interfering with the body’s natural processes or blocking them up in any way, your bowel movements and overall system will recover more quickly if you treat with IMODIUM® than if you let diarrhea run its course.

Find out more about IMODIUM® Anti Diarrhea Medicine

IMODIUM® Capsules are proven and trusted for stopping diarrhea.

IMODIUM® Instants dissolve instantly on your tongue, so they’re perfect for when you’re on the go.

Where to buy IMODIUM®

It’s easy to find IMODIUM® in pharmacies. You don’t need a prescription, so you can buy it over the counter.