MILK ALLERGY vs LACTOSE INTOLERANCE – Milk

Milk allergy vs lactose intolerance

As excellent for the body and great in taste milk is, there are people whose immune system doesn’t want to come in contact with milk. Studies has reported that based on research work, their are people who cannot consume milk because their body cannot produce enough lactase (an enzyme that helps digest lactose) and their system have a misconception on milk protein. Today, let’s check on milk allergy vs lactose intolerance.

Lactose is the sugar found in milk and other dairy product.

MILK ALLERGY

Allergy to cow milk (milk from sheep, buffalo, goats and other mammals could sometime cause a reaction) is the most common milk allergy in infants and children; this can also develop at any age.

Milk allergy is an immune reaction or an abnormal immunologic reaction of the body’s immune system to milk and dairy. This reaction at times occurs as a slow reaction (which could be from hours to days) after ingestion with symptoms including:

• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal cramps
• Loose stool (which may contain mucus or blood)
• Intermittent coughing
• Skin rash
• Runny nose

Occasionally, milk allergy could strike quickly (within seconds, minutes or hours) with symptoms like

• Wheezing
• Hives
• Vomiting

Also, acute allergic reaction to milk can trigger sudden anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic shock can be fatal as it may cause difficulty in breathing (after consuming milk or coming into contact with it), a drop in blood pressure, swelling of the throat and mouth, and sometimes cardiac arrest.

This reaction usually calls for immediate medical attention. Those with a milk allergy should avoid both milk and dairy products like butter, yoghurt, whey, and cheese.

LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance include:

• Bloating
• Painful stomach (Abdominal Cramps)
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Other symptoms can include:

• Headaches
• Muscle and joint pain
• Dizziness
• Sore
• Throat
• Acne and depression.

CASEIN SENSITIVITY

Casein is a protein in milk and dairy products. A casein sensitivity occurs when the body immune system mistakenly identifies casein as a threat to the body. This allergy is most common in infants and young children. Experts believe genetics may play a role in this milk allergy and often children outgrow this allergy around 3 to 5 years of age. Casein sensitivity can cause:

• Hives
• Rashes
• Vomiting
• Severe Pain
• Wheezing
• Breathing Problems
• Food Malabsorption
• Anaphylaxis

Here is a related article – DRINKING TOO MUCH MILK? ANY EFFECT?

Food isn’t just any edible substance palatable to our taste buds. it is Existence. Food is Life.