While some people can consume milk, milk-based products, and products or recipes with dairy incorporated into them without issue, others can experience painful milk allergy reactions or lactose intolerance reactions.
Dairy allergies, also known as milk allergies, and lactose intolerance are both triggered by milk and milk products. However, there are major differences between the two. Let’s explore milk allergies and lactose intolerance to better understand each and how it can affect a patient.
About a Dairy Allergy
A dairy or milk allergy is the most common food allergy in infants and children, affecting roughly 1.9% of the children in the US. Most children grow out of their dairy allergies as they age, but some maintain sensitivity to dairy well into adulthood. About 2.6% of the adults in the US report suffering from a dairy allergy.
When a patient with a dairy allergy consumes a milk product or a product containing dairy ingredients, they are likely to experience an allergic reaction initiated by their overreactive immune system. The proteins in milk, most commonly casein and whey proteins, trigger the immune system to initiate a chain of reactions in an effort to flush the proteins out of the body as quickly as possible. As a result, the patient will suffer through a range of allergic reactions as the body works to clear out the proteins.
Symptoms of a Dairy Allergy
The symptoms of a dairy allergy can differ between allergy patients, as there are two types of dairy allergies a patient can have: IgE-mediated dairy allergies and non-IgE-mediated dairy allergies.
The difference between the two allergy types is that, with IgE-mediated allergies, the immune system produces Immunoglobin E (IgE) antibodies in its response to the protein. With non-IgE-mediated allergies, the immune system reacts in all other ways except IgE antibody production.
A patient can have only one type of allergy or both.
Symptoms of IgE-Mediated Dairy Allergies
- Breathing difficulty
- Facial swelling
- Increased heart rate
- Lip swelling
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Throat narrowing
- Tingling in the mouth
- Tongue swelling
- Wheezing
The presence of IgE antibodies is what can lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergy reaction that requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of Non-IgE-Mediated Dairy Allergies
- Acid reflux
- Fatigue or lethargy
- General physical discomfort
- Skin rash
- Sleeping trouble
- Slimy or bloody stools
- Vomiting and diarrhea
In both allergy types, the immune system’s response to the milk protein causes the patient to experience frustrating, painful, and even life-threatening allergy reactions.
About Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is far more common than dairy allergies in the US. In fact, it’s estimated that 44% of the US population is lactose intolerant. Genetics, race, dietary habits, additional health issues, and other factors can all contribute to why so many people struggle with lactose intolerance.
Like a milk allergy, lactose intolerance can wreak havoc on the body and cause a patient a lot of discomfort. However, the root of the issues and the issues themselves are very different.
While a milk allergy is the result of the immune system overreacting to proteins in a milk product, lactose intolerance is the digestive system’s inability to break down lactose, a sugar compound found in milk and milk products. Patients with lactose intolerance do not produce enough lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose. With a lactase deficiency, the digestive system is not able to properly process lactose, leading to uncomfortable symptoms and side effects.
In short, a milk allergy requires the immune system to be overly sensitive to milk proteins; lactose intolerance requires the digestive system to not properly digest the carbohydrate lactose.
Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance
The symptoms of lactose intolerance can vary from person to person, depending on the severity of their lactase deficiency. However, common effects of a lactose intolerance include:
- Excessive bloating
- Excessive gas
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Cramping
Lactose intolerance is not life-threatening the way an IgE-mediated milk allergy can be. Its effects are only temporary.
Are Some Dairy Products Safer Than Others for People With Lactose Intolerance?
Some dairy products contain less lactose than others, making them more manageable for people who suffer from lactose intolerance.
Milk products that tend to be gentler on the digestive system include:
- Hard cheeses (parmesan or Manchego, for example)
- Low-fat milk (skim milk)
- Yogurt
- Heavy whipping cream
Milk products that tend to wreak more havoc on the digestive system include:
- Whole milk
- Whole-milk ice creams
- Cream cheese
- Custards
- Butter
Patients with a milk allergy can be lactose intolerant or not.
At Langford Allergy, we help dairy allergy patients eat confidently. Talk to our team about your milk allergy issues today.
Are you suffering at any point throughout allergy season? Talk to Langford Allergy about testing and treatment.
Dr. Langford, Dr. Mathew, and our team of allergy specialists are dedicated to helping patients with dairy allergies eat with confidence. Food allergies can be frustrating or frightening to deal with, but we have treatments and management plans that can help keep you safe and free of reactions.
Schedule an appointment to talk with us about your milk allergy today: 478-787-4728
Langford Allergy delivers allergy, asthma, and immunodeficiency care to patients throughout Middle Georgia, including:
- Bonaire, GA
- Byron, GA
- Forsyth, GA
- Fort Valley, GA
- Gray, GA
- Macon, GA
- Milledgeville, GA
- Perry, GA
- Warner Robins, GA
And other surrounding areas.
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