A lot of people face such allergies, which are especially dangerous for babies. About 2.5 percent of children under three years of age have a milk allergy. If the allergen is not avoided and timely treatment is not received, a person may be at risk of anaphylaxis, an extremely dangerous allergic reaction that threatens life. But sometimes what seems like an allergic reaction is an intolerance to dairy products. This is good news because intolerance to some products is much easier to tolerate than an allergy.
What are the main differences between a milk allergy and intolerance? Let’s figure it out. We’ll look at the most important differences and tell you how to care for yourself.
Lactose Intolerance vs Milk Allergy
Intolerance and allergy are easily confused because of their similar symptoms. But in reality, they are very different. So, milk intolerance is a non-immunological reaction that is caused by digestive problems.
Milk allergy is an immunological reaction to proteins in a specific type of milk (most often, people are allergic to cow’s milk). Symptoms of milk allergy vary in severity from person to person. It may cause a mild rash or itching to the point of nausea and sometimes even serious breathing problems. Intolerance to milk can cause discomfort and even pain. Cramps, diarrhea, and bloating are possible. It is unpleasant but not life-threatening. Milk allergy should not be ignored, so it is important to seek help from a food allergist.
Prevalence of Milk Allergies and Intolerances
Allergies to dairy products are one of the most common and are especially common in children. About 2 in 100 children under 4 have a milk allergy. It is also common in infants. Lactose intolerance is common in adults. About 30 million Americans have it by age 20. Cow’s milk allergy is the most common food allergy in infants. Note that this is a serious condition that requires treatment from a doctor. But if you know how to care for your health, you can live a whole and happy life. Read on to learn more about these ailments.
What Causes Milk Allergy?
It is caused by an overreaction of the immune system to proteins found in milk. The two main proteins that cause various allergic reactions are whey and casein, which are found in cow’s milk. When people drink milk, their immune system signals to release histamines. In response, symptoms of an allergic reaction occur. As a rule, these symptoms begin within a few minutes of drinking, but sometimes, the reaction appears after several hours.
What Causes Lactose Intolerance?
Milk intolerance is caused by the body’s inability to break down the sugar lactose found in milk. Without the enzyme lactase, a person cannot break down lactose. Thus, they will have trouble digesting these sugars. Sensitivity to milk protein has unpleasant symptoms. They may include bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other intestinal problems.
Should You Cut Milk Out Completely?
People with lactose intolerance can consume a wide range of lactose-free dairy products. They tolerate many dairy products well, including hard cheese, because the lactose in these products is already naturally broken down. Do you suffer from milk intolerance? Be sure to make changes to your diet. Of course, you can completely give up milk and products containing milk as an ingredient. This will prevent unwanted reactions but may lead to some calcium deficiency. And this element is beneficial! Calcium ions serve as one of the universal secondary messengers inside cells and regulate various intracellular processes, such as exocytosis, muscle contraction, secretion of hormones, and neurotransmitters. And they also participate in blood clotting processes.
So, what should people with milk allergies do? It is recommended that you seek help from a food allergist promptly. He will develop an individual treatment plan and help you avoid discomfort.
How to Relieve Milk Allergies in the Long Term without Avoiding This Product
Do you want to continue to include milk in your diet? A desensitization program, or oral immunotherapy, will help you. This is the effect of a gradually increasing allergen on the immune system. Desensitization of food allergies can improve your well-being by significantly reducing the risk of an allergic reaction from accidental exposure to allergens. You must consume a small amount of milk protein daily if you have a milk allergy. This helps to form tolerance and reduce the immune system’s sensitivity to this product. However, all actions should be carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.
Three Phases
There are three main phases:
- In the initial dose phase, patients consume small amounts of milk protein under the supervision of a doctor. This ensures safety for health.
- Build-up phase: Doses are increased gradually. This helps build tolerance to milk proteins without the risk of causing a severe reaction.
- Maintenance phase—the patient continues to consume this amount of milk protein. This method ensures long-term tolerance.
This process lasts several months or years. It reduces the risk of severe reactions in the body, providing an excellent opportunity for patients to safely consume dairy products over time without experiencing allergy symptoms.
Conclusions
Now you know the difference between a milk allergy and a milk intolerance. A food allergy occurs when your immune system overreacts to a particular protein. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include rash, hives, itching, swelling, and more severe ones—difficulty breathing, wheezing, fainting, etc.—potentially life-threatening. Fortunately, food intolerance does not affect the immune system. People with lactose intolerance do not have the enzyme lactase. Lactase breaks down lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Patients cannot digest these foods. Their symptoms are also unpleasant: cramping, gas, nausea, bloating, and diarrhea. But it is not at all life-threatening. Although with both food intolerance and food allergies, it is necessary to go to the doctor.
Allergy & Asthma Associates of Southern California specialists are here to help you. We have been caring for patients since 1980. We provide exceptional allergy care for children and adults. Our doctors have established themselves as leaders in the field of allergy treatment.
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