Two of the most commonly confused conditions are a milk or dairy allergy and lactose intolerance. The conditions are commonly mistaken for one another because they share similar gastric symptoms. You have a greater chance of being lactose intolerant as opposed to being allergic to milk. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that less than 2 percent of adults are allergic to a food. The only sure way to determine whether you're allergic to milk or dairy or you're lactose intolerant is to make an appointment with your doctor, who can provide an accurate diagnosis.
Common Symptoms
A milk or dairy allergy and lactose intolerance share similar symptoms when it comes to the digestive system. Although the cause of the symptoms is different, both conditions can cause nausea, stomach pain, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and vomiting. These conditions cause inflammation in the gut that leads to swelling and irritation throughout the digestive system. Symptoms of either condition can begin within a few minutes after eating or drinking milk or dairy products.
Milk and Dairy Allergy
A milk or dairy allergy is commonly found in children under age 3, but it can affect adults as well. A dairy allergy is caused by a malfunction of the immune system to the proteins found in milk. Your immune system can mistake either whey or casein proteins as a dangerous substance and attack them with immunoglobulin E, or IgE, antibodies, according to MayoClinic.com. IgE antibodies cause certain cells throughout the body to create histamine, a chemical that causes most allergy symptoms. Histamine in the intestines will cause swelling, leading to common digestive symptoms.
Lactose Intolerance
The main difference between a dairy allergy and lactose intolerance is the cause. Lactose intolerance does not cause an immune system reaction, according to MayoClinic.com. This condition is exclusive to the digestive system, whereas a milk allergy can affect various systems in your body. Lactose intolerance is a common condition where the body doesn't create enough lactase, the enzyme needed to process lactose, according to Kids Health. Lactose is a complex sugar that the body cannot absorb without being simplified.
Allergy Symptoms
If you develop symptoms aside from the digestive tract, you most likely have an allergy to dairy or milk. Other identifiable symptoms of a milk allergy include: nasal congestion, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty breathing, skin rashes, facial swelling or tingling, hives or eczema.
