If you’ve noticed an unusual reaction to milk and dairy, it’s important to find out whether it’s lactose intolerance or a Dairy allergy as these two conditions may sound similar but they’re entirely different (how they’re caused and how they affect your body) and are treated accordingly.
| Lactose intolerance is a food intolerance involving the digestive system in which your body doesn’t make lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose (sugar in milk). There is no involvement of the immune system. The undigested lactose from the stomach and small intestine moves into your colon, where it gets broken down by bacteria leading to bloating and gas. | Dairy allergy is an immune system response in which your body reacts to the proteins in milk and other dairy products as a threat. The immune system attacks the protein and your body makes a reaction. |
| Lactose intolerance is common in adolescents and adults. | Dairy allergy is one of the most common allergies, especially in children under the age of five. As many as 2 in every 100 children under the age of 5 years are allergic to milk. |
| Symptoms of lactose intolerance are uncomfortable but it’s not typically dangerous. | Dairy allergies are the third most common cause of anaphylaxis, in which the body’s airways become constricted and block breathing. |
| Symptoms take longer to arrive than for a milk allergy, you will see symptoms in about 30 minutes or a couple of hours later. The severity of the symptoms depends on the quantity of the milk intake. Typical symptoms of lactose intolerance are: • Bloating • gas • diarrhoea • abdominal cramps and pain • nausea, sometimes vomiting |
You will see symptoms within minutes, or sometimes a couple hours, after eating or drink dairy. Immediate symptoms (within minutes): • wheezing and difficulty breathing • hives • itching • nausea • swelling of lips and face • trouble swallowing • tightness in throat Symptoms that may take more time to appear: • loose stools or diarrhoea, which may contain blood • abdominal cramps • a runny nose • watery eyes • colic Anaphylaxis -Severe allergic reaction, can result in death if not treated |
| • Reduce intake of food and drinks that contain lactose. • Choose foods and drinks that are low lactose or lactose-free. • Take lactase enzyme supplement to help improve symptoms; it helps to break down lactose for you. |
• Do not consume any food or drinks that contain dairy products. Avoid all dairy products. • Breastfeed your child for 6 months to age 2 and beyond. • Read food labels to see if milk or ingredients containing milk are included |
Also Read: Food Allergy
For more information, you can visit EveryDayHealth and WebMD.
