Lactose intolerance and milk protein allergy are easily confused. Lactose intolerance is defined by the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse as the body's inability to produce the lactase enzyme, which breaks down the sugar, lactose. A milk protein allergy is a malfunction of the immune system in response to certain proteins found in cow's milk products, according to KidsHealth.org. Lactose intolerance can affect anyone at any age, while most milk protein allergies are found in children under the age of 3.
About Lactose Intolerance
After the age of 2, the body gradually begins to produce less lactase. Most people who develop a deficiency will not have symptoms until late adolescence or adulthood, when the body stops producing enough lactase to break down the sugar found in cow's milk. Other people may be born with a deficiency and show immediate signs as a baby. Damage to the small intestine from celiac disease, Crohn's disease or a severe gastrointestinal illness can also cause a person to become lactose intolerant, according to the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse.
About Milk Protein Allergy
A milk protein allergy occurs when the immune system mistakes the protein in milk products as a harmful substance. KidsHealth.org states that the body produces IgE antibodies to ward off the milk protein and causes a chemical reaction in the body that produces histamine. Histamine is a chemical that causes irritation to surrounding tissue. The most common places where histamine causes symptoms is in the nasal passages, the skin and the lungs.
Lactose Intolerance Symptoms
Most people with lactose intolerance experience symptoms within two hours of ingesting diary products. Symptoms vary from mild to severe from person to person. Lactose intolerance symptoms include nausea, gas, bloating, diarrhea and abdominal pain, according to the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse.
Milk Protein Allergy Symptoms
Milk protein allergy symptoms are similar to other food allergy symptoms, such as skin rashes, nasal complications and asthma. Your skin may become itchy and inflamed, triggering hives or eczema. Common nasal complications include congestion, sneezing and sinus headaches. Asthma symptoms from a milk allergy can cause shortness of breath, excessive coughing and wheezing, according to MayoClinic.com.
Treatments
If you are lactose intolerant, maintain a lactose-free diet by eliminating dairy products from your diet. Substitute rice milk or soy milk for cow's milk, or drink lactose-free milk. If you do consume dairy products, have them in small amounts and take a lactase supplement, which you can buy over the counter at most drugstores, to help the digestive tract break down the lactose. If you have a milk protein allergy, avoid dairy products. You can use antihistamines to treat mild milk allergy symptoms such as an itchy throat, watery eyes or runny nose, according to MayoClinic.com.
