What are the key differences between lactose intolerance and dairy allergy. How are these conditions diagnosed and managed. What are the common symptoms and risk factors associated with lactose intolerance and dairy allergy. How can individuals effectively live with these conditions.

Distinguishing Between Lactose Intolerance and Dairy Allergy

Lactose intolerance and dairy allergy are two distinct conditions that are often confused due to their similar names and some overlapping symptoms. However, understanding the fundamental differences between these conditions is crucial for proper diagnosis and management.

Lactose intolerance is a digestive issue characterized by the body’s inability to produce sufficient lactase, an enzyme necessary for breaking down lactose, the sugar found in milk. This condition primarily affects the digestive system and is generally not dangerous, although it can cause significant discomfort.

On the other hand, dairy allergy is an immune system response to proteins found in milk and dairy products. The body mistakenly identifies these proteins as harmful invaders, triggering an allergic reaction that can range from mild to severe and potentially life-threatening.

Prevalence and Risk Factors

Lactose intolerance is relatively common, affecting approximately 30 million Americans by age 20. It is more prevalent among individuals with Asian, African, or Native American heritage and less common in those with northern or western European backgrounds.

Dairy allergy, while less common overall, is one of the most frequent food allergies, particularly in children. It affects up to 2% of children under 4 years old and is even more common in infants.

Identifying Symptoms: Lactose Intolerance vs. Dairy Allergy

While some symptoms may overlap between lactose intolerance and dairy allergy, there are distinct differences that can help differentiate between the two conditions.

Common Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance

• Diarrhea
• Nausea (sometimes accompanied by vomiting)
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Gas

Additional Symptoms of Dairy Allergy

• Skin reactions (rashes, hives)
• Swelling, often in the lips and face
• Respiratory issues (wheezing, tightness in the throat)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Blood in the stool (especially in babies)

It’s important to note that dairy allergy can also cause anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that typically occurs within minutes of consuming dairy products but can sometimes occur hours later.

Risk Factors for Developing Dairy Allergy

Several factors can increase an individual’s likelihood of developing a dairy allergy:

• Having other allergies
• Having eczema
• Family history of allergies (food allergies, hay fever, eczema, or asthma)
• Young age (milk allergy is more common in children)

As individuals age, their digestive systems become less likely to react to milk, but the risk of lactose intolerance increases.

Diagnostic Approaches for Lactose Intolerance and Dairy Allergy

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for proper management of both lactose intolerance and dairy allergy. Healthcare providers employ various tests to determine the underlying cause of symptoms related to dairy consumption.

Testing for Lactose Intolerance

1. Lactose tolerance test: This involves drinking a lactose-rich liquid and measuring blood glucose levels after two hours. If glucose levels don’t rise, it indicates that lactose is not being digested properly.
2. Hydrogen breath test: After consuming a lactose-rich liquid, hydrogen levels in the breath are measured at regular intervals. Elevated hydrogen levels suggest undigested lactose is being broken down in the colon.
3. Stool acidity test: This test is primarily used for babies and young children who cannot undergo other tests. It measures lactic acid levels in the stool, which are elevated when lactose is not properly digested.

Testing for Dairy Allergy

1. Skin prick test: A small amount of dairy allergen is placed under the skin on the forearm or back. The development of a raised, itchy bump indicates a potential dairy allergy.
2. Blood test: This measures the levels of specific antibodies in the blood that are associated with dairy allergy.
3. Oral challenge: If allergy is suspected but not confirmed by other tests, an oral challenge may be conducted under medical supervision. This involves consuming increasing amounts of dairy products to observe any allergic reactions.

It’s worth noting that both skin prick tests and blood tests can produce false positives, so results should be interpreted carefully by an allergist.

Living with Lactose Intolerance: Management Strategies

Lactose intolerance can be effectively managed through dietary adjustments and supplementation. Here are some strategies for living with lactose intolerance:

• Limit dairy consumption: Reduce or eliminate dairy foods and drinks from your diet.
• Try lactose-reduced products: Opt for lactose-reduced ice cream and milk.
• Use lactase enzyme supplements: Take these supplements when consuming dairy products to aid in lactose digestion.
• Explore non-dairy alternatives: Incorporate plant-based milk, yogurt, and cheese options into your diet.
• Read food labels carefully: Be aware of hidden sources of lactose in processed foods.
• Consider calcium and vitamin D supplements: Ensure adequate intake of these nutrients typically obtained from dairy products.

Navigating Life with a Dairy Allergy

Managing a dairy allergy requires strict avoidance of all dairy products and careful attention to potential cross-contamination. Here are some essential strategies for living with a dairy allergy:

• Complete dairy avoidance: Eliminate all dairy foods and products containing dairy from your diet.
• Read labels meticulously: Check ingredient lists for all forms of dairy, including milk, casein, whey, and lactose.
• Be cautious when dining out: Inform restaurant staff about your allergy and ask about ingredients and preparation methods.
• Carry emergency medication: If prescribed, always have epinephrine auto-injectors (such as EpiPen) on hand.
• Wear medical alert jewelry: This can inform others of your allergy in case of an emergency.
• Educate family and friends: Ensure those around you understand the severity of your allergy and how to respond in case of a reaction.
• Explore dairy-free alternatives: Find suitable substitutes for milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products.

Nutritional Considerations for Dairy-Free Diets

Both lactose intolerance and dairy allergy necessitate a reduction or elimination of dairy products from the diet. This dietary change can potentially lead to nutritional deficiencies if not properly managed. Here are some key nutrients to focus on when following a dairy-free diet:

Calcium

Dairy products are a primary source of calcium for many people. When eliminating dairy, it’s crucial to find alternative calcium sources. Some options include:

• Leafy green vegetables (kale, collard greens, spinach)
• Fortified plant-based milk alternatives
• Calcium-set tofu
• Canned fish with soft bones (sardines, salmon)
• Calcium-fortified orange juice
• Nuts and seeds (almonds, sesame seeds)

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is often added to milk and dairy products. To ensure adequate intake without dairy, consider:

• Exposure to sunlight (with proper sun protection)
• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna)
• Egg yolks
• Fortified plant-based milk alternatives
• Vitamin D supplements (consult with a healthcare provider)

Protein

While dairy is a good source of protein, there are many alternatives available:

• Lean meats, poultry, and fish
• Legumes (beans, lentils, peas)
• Nuts and seeds
• Soy products (tofu, tempeh)
• Quinoa and other whole grains

Emerging Research and Future Directions

The field of lactose intolerance and dairy allergy research is continuously evolving. Here are some areas of ongoing investigation and potential future developments:

Microbiome and Lactose Intolerance

Recent studies have begun to explore the relationship between gut microbiome composition and lactose intolerance. Some researchers hypothesize that certain probiotic strains might help alleviate lactose intolerance symptoms by enhancing lactose digestion or modulating the gut immune response.

Immunotherapy for Dairy Allergy

Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is an emerging treatment approach for food allergies, including dairy allergy. This involves gradually introducing small amounts of the allergen under medical supervision to desensitize the immune system. While promising, more research is needed to establish long-term safety and efficacy.

Genetic Factors in Lactose Intolerance

Advances in genetic research are shedding light on the genetic factors that influence lactase persistence (the ability to digest lactose into adulthood). This knowledge could potentially lead to more personalized approaches to managing lactose intolerance.

Novel Dairy Alternatives

The food industry continues to innovate, developing new plant-based alternatives to dairy products. These alternatives are becoming increasingly sophisticated, mimicking the taste, texture, and nutritional profile of dairy products more closely.

Improved Diagnostic Tools

Researchers are working on developing more accurate and less invasive diagnostic tools for both lactose intolerance and dairy allergy. This could lead to earlier and more precise diagnoses, enabling more effective management strategies.

As research in these areas progresses, individuals with lactose intolerance or dairy allergy may have access to more targeted treatments and management options in the future. It’s important for those affected by these conditions to stay informed about new developments and consult with healthcare providers to determine the most appropriate strategies for their individual needs.

Lactose Intolerance vs. Dairy Allergy: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Living With

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Symptoms
• Am I More Likely to Have Dairy Allergy?
• Getting Tested
• Testing for Lactose Intolerance
• Testing for Dairy Allergy
• Living With Lactose Intolerance
• Living With Dairy Allergy
• More

Lactose intolerance and dairy allergy sound a lot alike. Many people think they’re the same thing. But, how they’re caused (and how they affect your body) are very different.

Lactose intolerance involves the digestive system: If you have it, your body doesn’t make lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose. That’s the sugar in milk. Instead of digesting normally in your stomach and small intestine, undigested lactose moves into your colon, where it’s broken down by bacteria and causes bloating and gas. It can be uncomfortable, but it’s not dangerous.

Lactose intolerance is common in adults – about 30 million Americans have it by age 20. It’s more common in people with Asian, African or Native American heritage and less common in people with a northern or western European background.

Dairy allergy involves the immune system: If you have it, your body reacts to the proteins in milk and other dairy products as if they’re dangerous invaders. It releases substances that cause allergy symptoms. This allergic reaction can be mild (rashes) to severe (trouble breathing, loss of consciousness).

Dairy allergy is one of most common allergies, especially in children. As many as 2 in every 100 children under 4 years old are allergic to milk. It’s even more common in babies.

Some symptoms of lactose intolerance and dairy allergy may be the same:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea; sometimes vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Gas

But dairy allergy can also cause a reaction in other parts of your body, including the skin and lungs:

• Rash
• Hives
• Swelling, often in the lips and face
• Wheezing
• Tightness in throat
• Trouble swallowing

There may be blood in the stool (poop) too, especially in babies.

Anaphylaxis is a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction and often begins minutes after you eat a food you’re allergic to, but sometimes it can happen hours later. It usually involves more than one symptom in more than one part of your body at the same time.

If you have a severe allergy or if you’ve ever had anaphylaxis in the past, talk to your doctor about carrying an injectable epinephrine (Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q, EpiPen, a generic auto-injector, Symjepi) to slow down or stop the allergic reaction.

You’re more likely to develop dairy allergy if:

• You have other allergies
• You have eczema
• One or both of your parents has a food or other allergy, like hay fever, eczema or asthma
• You’re young. Milk allergy is more common in children. As you get older, your digestive system is less likely to react to milk, but you’re likelier to have lactose intolerance.

First your doctor will take your medical history to understand your symptoms and how your body reacts to dairy foods. Then you’ll be tested to confirm whether it’s lactose intolerance or a dairy allergy.

Lactose tolerance test: You’ll drink a liquid that contains a lot of lactose. About 2 hours later, the amount of glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream will be measured. If your glucose level doesn’t rise, you’re not digesting the lactose in the drink.

Hydrogen breath test: You’ll drink a liquid that contains a lot of lactose. Then, the hydrogen in your breath will be measured at regular intervals. If you’re not digesting lactose, it will be broken down in your colon, releasing hydrogen that can be detected in your breath.

Stool acidity test: Babies and children who can’t be tested otherwise can have their stool tested for lactic acid caused by the breakdown of undigested lactose in the colon.

Skin prick test: A small drop of liquid containing the dairy allergen is placed under your skin on your forearm or back. If a raised bump surrounded by itchy red skin appears, a dairy allergy is likely.

Your doctor might have you take a blood test too, which measures the amount of certain antibodies in your blood.

Both tests can have “false positives.” You can test positive for an allergy even though you really don’t have it. Your allergist will explain the results.

If an allergy is still suspected but not confirmed, your doctor may have you take an oral challenge. You’ll be fed different foods that may or may not contain milk in increasing amounts to see if you react to food that contains milk.

Lactose intolerance is easily managed, mostly by limiting the amount of dairy food and drink you consume. You can also try lactose-reduced ice cream and milk, or take lactase enzyme supplements when you eat dairy products to help your body digest lactose.

If you have dairy allergy, you’ll need to avoid all dairy foods and other foods that contain dairy products.

Staying safe means reading food labels to see if milk or ingredients containing milk are included. Milk proteins are found in many foods you wouldn’t expect. Some canned tuna, energy drinks and even chewing gum contain them. And don’t eat lactose-reduced foods if you have dairy allergy. They still contain the milk proteins that can cause allergic reactions.

Top Picks

Lactose Intolerance vs. Dairy Allergy: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Living With

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Symptoms
• Am I More Likely to Have Dairy Allergy?
• Getting Tested
• Testing for Lactose Intolerance
• Testing for Dairy Allergy
• Living With Lactose Intolerance
• Living With Dairy Allergy
• More

Lactose intolerance and dairy allergy sound a lot alike. Many people think they’re the same thing. But, how they’re caused (and how they affect your body) are very different.

Lactose intolerance involves the digestive system: If you have it, your body doesn’t make lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose. That’s the sugar in milk. Instead of digesting normally in your stomach and small intestine, undigested lactose moves into your colon, where it’s broken down by bacteria and causes bloating and gas. It can be uncomfortable, but it’s not dangerous.

Lactose intolerance is common in adults – about 30 million Americans have it by age 20. It’s more common in people with Asian, African or Native American heritage and less common in people with a northern or western European background.

Dairy allergy involves the immune system: If you have it, your body reacts to the proteins in milk and other dairy products as if they’re dangerous invaders. It releases substances that cause allergy symptoms. This allergic reaction can be mild (rashes) to severe (trouble breathing, loss of consciousness).

Dairy allergy is one of most common allergies, especially in children. As many as 2 in every 100 children under 4 years old are allergic to milk. It’s even more common in babies.

Some symptoms of lactose intolerance and dairy allergy may be the same:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea; sometimes vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Gas

But dairy allergy can also cause a reaction in other parts of your body, including the skin and lungs:

• Rash
• Hives
• Swelling, often in the lips and face
• Wheezing
• Tightness in throat
• Trouble swallowing

There may be blood in the stool (poop) too, especially in babies.

Anaphylaxis is a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction and often begins minutes after you eat a food you’re allergic to, but sometimes it can happen hours later. It usually involves more than one symptom in more than one part of your body at the same time.

If you have a severe allergy or if you’ve ever had anaphylaxis in the past, talk to your doctor about carrying an injectable epinephrine (Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q, EpiPen, a generic auto-injector, Symjepi) to slow down or stop the allergic reaction.

You’re more likely to develop dairy allergy if:

• You have other allergies
• You have eczema
• One or both of your parents has a food or other allergy, like hay fever, eczema or asthma
• You’re young. Milk allergy is more common in children. As you get older, your digestive system is less likely to react to milk, but you’re likelier to have lactose intolerance.

First your doctor will take your medical history to understand your symptoms and how your body reacts to dairy foods. Then you’ll be tested to confirm whether it’s lactose intolerance or a dairy allergy.

Lactose tolerance test: You’ll drink a liquid that contains a lot of lactose. About 2 hours later, the amount of glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream will be measured. If your glucose level doesn’t rise, you’re not digesting the lactose in the drink.

Hydrogen breath test: You’ll drink a liquid that contains a lot of lactose. Then, the hydrogen in your breath will be measured at regular intervals. If you’re not digesting lactose, it will be broken down in your colon, releasing hydrogen that can be detected in your breath.

Stool acidity test: Babies and children who can’t be tested otherwise can have their stool tested for lactic acid caused by the breakdown of undigested lactose in the colon.

Skin prick test: A small drop of liquid containing the dairy allergen is placed under your skin on your forearm or back. If a raised bump surrounded by itchy red skin appears, a dairy allergy is likely.

Your doctor might have you take a blood test too, which measures the amount of certain antibodies in your blood.

Both tests can have “false positives.” You can test positive for an allergy even though you really don’t have it. Your allergist will explain the results.

If an allergy is still suspected but not confirmed, your doctor may have you take an oral challenge. You’ll be fed different foods that may or may not contain milk in increasing amounts to see if you react to food that contains milk.

Lactose intolerance is easily managed, mostly by limiting the amount of dairy food and drink you consume. You can also try lactose-reduced ice cream and milk, or take lactase enzyme supplements when you eat dairy products to help your body digest lactose.

If you have dairy allergy, you’ll need to avoid all dairy foods and other foods that contain dairy products.

Staying safe means reading food labels to see if milk or ingredients containing milk are included. Milk proteins are found in many foods you wouldn’t expect. Some canned tuna, energy drinks and even chewing gum contain them. And don’t eat lactose-reduced foods if you have dairy allergy. They still contain the milk proteins that can cause allergic reactions.

Top Picks

Harm of milk: how dairy products affect the skin

We have all heard at least once how someone we know completely refused “milk”, and a miracle immediately happened to the skin. Milk is increasingly considered the cause of eczema, acne, dullness and is regarded as the number one enemy for our face.

This is confirmed by data from the Vegan Society, according to which the number of vegans in the UK has quadrupled over the past six years. Of those, almost 600,000 eliminated dairy products to improve their health, skin condition, and energy levels. The breakfast menu now includes oat milk, vegan cheeses are widely available in supermarkets near the house, and ice cream is made not from cream, but from cashew nuts. The vegan diet has become more varied, but the question still remains – will cutting out animal milk make for healthy skin?

“Despite the suggestion that dairy products contribute to skin problems, current evidence is very limited and conflicting,” says nutritionist Megan Rossi. “Most of the studies done so far are observational—they can be useful, but you still can’t make a final decision based on them. There are a number of factors that make it difficult to assess the relationship between nutrition and skin condition. For example, people who drink a lot of milk may consume less fiber and more sugar, and this is what negatively affects their health and appearance.”

Beautician Debbie Thomas asks her clients with acne to analyze their diet and lifestyle. “Yes, dairy can cause some skin problems, but not all,” says Thomas. – Nevertheless, acne most often appears with an excess of sugar, stress – during it, certain hormones are produced in the body. Or with more serious disorders – for example, with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Popular

Both experts agree that the effect of dairy products on the skin is not a myth, but rather information that has not yet been fully confirmed by research. “Remember that acne speaks to your current state of health, severe inflammation on the face is the end result of reactions within the body. Therefore, it is important to individually determine what is causing the poor condition of your skin,” says Thomas. Experts advise keeping a food diary to keep track of what the skin reacts to negatively, so you can establish a connection between its condition and diet.

What else you need to know about milk:

The effect of milk on hormones

As you know, our diet and lifestyle affect hormones, and they, in turn, affect the skin. Pimples that appear during the menstrual cycle confirm this. “Cow’s milk and dairy products contain casein and whey protein, which increase levels of a certain hormone (insulin-like growth factor-1, or IGF-1). It is associated with increased production of sebum, which causes the development of acne, explains Rossi. “Studies have shown that people with acne have higher levels of the hormone IGF-1.” It has also been established in the West that the more sugar, dairy products and carbohydrates in the diet, the more often people experience skin diseases. But as Rossi notes, a clinical study has yet to show that dairy-only products cause skin problems.

Popular

Milk and insulin levels proteins are broken down and converted into hormones that are very similar to insulin,” says Thomas. The higher its level, the more we are prone to infections and inflammatory processes, including on the skin. “Most often, people experience such inflammatory skin diseases as acne, eczema and rosacea,” the cosmetologist notes. “If inflammation becomes a long-term problem in the body, then eventually it reaches the skin – this leads to the rapid appearance of wrinkles and a deterioration in its appearance.”

All about lactose intolerance

“The body needs enzymes to break down lactose in milk. About 65 percent of people lose these enzymes during infancy. That is why, as we get older, the body develops lactose intolerance or allergy. It causes an inflammatory response in the body, ”says the nutritionist. If you suffer from bloating, nausea, or flatulence, then Rossi recommends using her author’s method – a three-step assessment of “record, limit, restore.” You can find it in book Eat Yourself Healthy , where you can find out how to live comfortably and safely with a food intolerance.

Popular

Dairy products are different To improve your skin, know that not all “milk” is produced equally. A 2019 study found that there is a link between total milk consumption and acne on the face. “Interestingly, data on skin problems varied depending on the types of milk consumed – whole, semi-fat, or skim. It turned out that skimmed milk has the most negative effect on the skin, ”says Rossi. In contrast, fermented dairy products do not increase the risk of acne, so yogurt and cheese are more your friends than enemies. “Sour-milk products like yogurt and kefir can improve heart and bone health, as well as improve digestion and control weight,” she notes. So when it comes to dairy, as is often the case, it’s about finding balance and moderation, not total abstinence.

Hannah Coates/ Vogue.co.uk

Dermatologist Ballirano explains why collagen cosmetics don’t really work and in general rejuvenate your face. However, in reality, the effectiveness of products that are so popular among women after thirty is very, very doubtful. A dermatologist, cosmetologist Tatyana Ballirano warned about this in a conversation with Life.

She noted that collagen is a structural part of the skin, it is from it that a kind of framework is formed, on the basis of which our skeleton and muscles are built. In the skin, collagen is responsible for elasticity, firmness and cell renewal. According to the doctor, somewhere after 30–35 years, the production of this protein decreases. Because of this, wrinkles appear on the skin, it loses its tone, and becomes dry. At the same time, unfortunately, it will not be possible to compensate for the lack of natural collagen with the help of “miracle creams and masks”. The thing is that this protein has too large molecules, so it will not be able to penetrate the skin and will simply remain on the surface.

“You need to understand that a collagen molecule is a protein and, of course, a foreign protein, according to the law of nature, cannot penetrate the skin transdermally. Therefore, when applying a cream, a mask with collagen, we will get an exclusively externally moisturizing effect. Collagen will moisturize, create a film, therefore, the skin will be visually stretched, but when you wash off the cream, you will not see the result,” our interlocutor explained to .

Dermatologists warn: Hand cream can be addictive

At the same time, Ballirano emphasized that one should not rely on 100% effectiveness of nutritional supplements that contain collagen, of course. Here we should take into account the fact that any proteins, when they enter the body, are digested by our digestive enzymes. According to the dermatologist, the only way to saturate the body with collagen is the delivery of amino acids inside. We are talking about mesotherapy, biorevitalization and not only.

“At home, this is microneedling, such a roller with needles. We apply serum with amino acids, peptides, vitamins. Needle RF is also effective when needles are directly injected into the skin, a high-frequency current is supplied, which also stimulates fibroblasts,” – summarized the doctor.

Cosmetologist explained why acne loves the cold season

Earlier, dermatologist Ekaterina Vertieva warned about a deadly skin fungus with a “childish” name.