Most people would have already consumed dairy products since we were kids. As a child, our parents prepared us fresh milk for breakfast and before bedtime. Meanwhile, some people like their hamburgers and pizzas cheesy enough you cannot see the meat anymore. In other words, we have basically lived with dairy nourishing our bodies almost every day.

But for some people, consuming milk and other dairy products can be a curse. In fact, it can even be potentially life-threatening to them. This condition may even send you to an allergy clinic, or the emergency room in worse cases if the symptoms become worse. This is most likely due to dairy allergies and should be treated by an allergist.

Is it the same as lactose intolerance?

On one hand, dairy allergies affect a person’s immune system. It occurs when the body reacts to the protein components of dairy products including milk. It then triggers allergic reactions that can be potentially dangerous for some people. Allergic reactions can range from mild rashes to as severe as breathing difficulties.

On the other hand, lactose intolerance affects the digestive system. Those who have lactose intolerance do not have the ability to digest lactose, a component present in dairy products such as milk and cheese. Lactase deficiency is also usually the cause of lactose intolerance. Lactase is a type of enzyme that is produced in the small intestine.

Lactase turns into galactose and glucose and then absorbed into our bloodstream. In lactose intolerance, however, lactose does not get absorbed and instead moves to the colon, interacts with bacteria, and then cause lactose intolerance. If you suspect of having lactose intolerance, you should consult an allergy specialist doctor for proper treatment.

Symptoms and risk factors

Symptoms of both dairy allergies and lactose intolerance may show up early in childhood, but some may experience it later on in adulthood. You should consult an allergy physician if you experience any adverse reactions upon consumption of dairy products.

Lactose intolerance and dairy allergy symptoms may vary from mild to severe. It usually depends on how much your body can tolerate lactose. Symptoms may also show up around 30 minutes to a few hours after consuming dairy products. However, some symptoms of dairy allergy and lactose intolerance may be the same with each other.

Among these include vomiting and nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. However, dairy allergy can also cause allergic reactions in a person’s skin and respiratory system which can be potentially fatal at this point. These symptoms include:

• Hives
• Facial or lip swelling
• Wheezing
• Rashes
• Difficulty in swallowing and breathing
• Bloody stools (in infants)
• Anaphylaxis (in worst cases)

You are more likely to have a dairy allergy if you have skin conditions such as eczema. Also, your genes may also dictate your risk of having this condition. For example, one of your parents may also have foods allergies or dairy allergies as well. Children as young as two are also most likely to have a dairy allergy.

Diagnosis and treatment

There are ways that an allergy doctor can determine whether you have lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. An allergist doctor would usually recommend patients to undergo allergy testing and other tests that will confirm your condition.

For dairy allergies, you may need to undergo a skin prick test. It involves putting a small drop of liquid that contains dairy allergen on your skin. It will result in a red, itchy bump if you have dairy allergies. An allergist specialist may also require taking a blood test or an oral test to confirm your condition.

For lactose intolerance, you may undergo either a hydrogen breath test, lactose tolerance tests. For babies and small children, a stool acidity test may be recommended by a doctor.

Managing dairy allergy

To prevent allergic reactions due to dairy products, you should not consume any dairy products in the first place. It is also important to check the food packaging to see whether it contains even just small traces of milk or dairy content. You may even find dairy content in the least expected foods such as canned tuna and energy drinks, so you should be careful as well.

There are also foods that contain calcium which can be a great and safe alternative for milk as your source of calcium. However, make sure you also don’t have allergies with these foods. Among these include:

• Broccoli, collards, kale
• Sardines, salmon, and other canned fish with bones
• Juice and cereals with a calcium content
• Tofu and other soy-based products
• Almonds

Dairy allergy is real, and those who have it should be careful when consuming foods. If you suspect of having dairy allergies, consult an allergy physician in Germantown MD.