Milk Allergy Information

Posted by Taz's Mom on August 6th, 2008 filed in Health

(HealthDay News) — What’s the difference between lactose intolerance and a milk allergy?

The Nemours Foundation offers this primer:

* Milk allergy is caused by an allergy to proteins in milk, while lactose intolerance is an inability to break down lactose, a sugar in milk.
* Milk allergy most often occurs in infants, while lactose intolerance usually occurs later in life.
* Milk allergy not only affects digestion, but also the skin and respiration. Lactose intolerance primarily affects digestion, causing symptoms including bloating, gas, and loose bowels.
* Milk allergy has the potential to be life-threatening, while lactose intolerance is unpleasant but not dangerous.

And these are the reasons why that whole “keep giving him milk till he gets used to it” thing DOESN’T fly. He could die. End of story.

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2 Responses to “Milk Allergy Information”

Nick Says:
August 7th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I’m genetically predisposed to lactose intolerance (my mom is LI, and so was her mom), and my siblings have it too. It can be so frustrating to live a lactose-free life in a lactose-full world. Just try eating out and not having a default of some lactose in your meal. I got so fed up, I started a website about it. Now I tell others with LI and milk allergies about my own experiences.
Connie Says:
August 10th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Very important info. My older dd is allergic to all dairy. She has it tough especially when eating out. Even products that say they are dairy free have additives that include dairy!!