Milk Allergy Or Milk Intolerance?

It is important to distinguish whether you are having a milk allergy or just a case of milk intolerance. Knowing how you would react to milk can mean taking appropriate actions.

Some of the most common symptoms of a milk allergy include swelling, hives, coughing, wheezing, shock, and even death if treatment is not initiated quickly. The reaction to the proteins in the milk, casein and whey, normally occurs within 45 minutes of exposure to the proteins in breastmilk, formula, or regular milk. Milk allergy symptoms are considered more severe than if you just have a milk intolerance.

Lactose intolerance is the most common reaction that infants, children, and adults have to milk. The symptoms of lactose intolerance normally occur 45 minutes to almost a day after consuming it. Gas and diarrhea are the two most common symptoms of lactose intolerance. Although this is not dangerous by itself, t can be a nuisance to your life.

If you have a milk allergy, then obviously you need to avoid the milk in all forms. You can consider taking soy milk or formula for alternatives.

If you merely have a lactose intolerance, you still have to avoid milk if you do not want to suffer from gas and diarrhoea. You can still consume small amounts of milk containing foods but you should limit their intake.