Milk allergies and lactose intolerance are frequently confused because their symptoms may be similar. However, these two conditions actually stem from different causes and have different solutions. Understanding the difference between lactose intolerance and milk allergies could affect which products you can and can't eat if you've been diagnosed with one of these disorders.
Milk Allergy
A milk allergy is an immune reaction to one or more of the proteins in cow's milk. If you have a milk allergy, when you drink milk or consume products made using milk, your body will respond by producing compounds called histamines. Within minutes to hours after consuming the allergenic food, you may experience skin reactions, such as a rash or hives, gastrointestinal distress and respiratory problems, such as wheezing or an itchy nose. In some cases, milk allergy causes an extreme reaction called anaphylaxis in which the throat swells, breathing becomes impaired and blood pressure drops.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance involves an inability to make enough of the enzyme lactase, which digests the milk sugar lactose in the intestines. Unlike a milk allergy, lactose intolerance is extremely common in adults. Most people in the world lose the ability to produce sufficient lactase as they approach adolescence. In many cases, lactose intolerance is mild, with symptoms of abdominal gas, cramping or diarrhea being common after drinking a glass of milk or consuming dairy products.
Solutions
One solution to both milk allergy and lactose intolerance is to completely avoid consuming milk or milk products. Because milk is commonly used as an ingredient in other foods, you should always check ingredient labels if you have a milk allergy or lactose intolerance to ensure that any food you eat is dairy-free. For people with a milk allergy, this is the only true solution, since there is no treatment for milk allergy. Someone with a severe milk allergy may need to carry a portable shot of epinephrine to use in case of accidental ingestion of milk protein. Lactose intolerant individuals may be able to tolerate some forms of dairy, such as cheese or yogurt. Lactose-free milk and dairy products and supplemental lactase are also available for those with lactose intolerance.
Considerations
Milk allergies are rare in adults because most people who develop these allergies as a child outgrow a reaction to milk proteins as they get older. Lactose intolerance, on the other hand, is almost never present in infants and small children but develops instead as the person gets older and produces less and less lactase. If you think that you have a bad reaction to milk or dairy products, you should get tested by a doctor to determine whether the problem is a milk allergy or lactose intolerance.
