If you think lactose intolerance and milk allergy is the same, then you're wrong. Lactose intolerance is when the body reacts towards lactose present in milk. Because your body doesn't have enough lactase, an enzyme that is needed to break down lactose. Whereas, milk allergy is when your body reacts to the proteins found in milk.
It must be surprising to hear, but cow's milk is the most common cause of milk allergy. That doesn't mean that milk from goats, sheep and buffaloes can't cause allergy. As shocking as it may sound, 2.5% of children under the age of 2 are usually allergic to cow's milk, majority of which outgrow the allergy eventually.
Here are the symptoms you should look out for milk allergy:
You should know that milk allergy symptoms usually start showing hours after consuming milk or any milk based food items. Also, it doesn't only affect your digestive tract but also the overall health.
Vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, watery stools, hives, wheezing, watery eyes, running nose, abdominal cramps, swelling of lips are symptoms that you should look out for. Consulting a doctor and diagnosing the allergy immediately will help.
For the treatment of the same, you might find it difficult as milk is quite an essential ingredient in major food items that we eat. But again, some people who are allergic to milk can tolerate it in other products. This is why, it is important to read the food labels carefully and look for a milk derivative called casein in foods. Other that that, avoid any of these - rennet casein, lactate/lactose, lactalbumin, hydrolyzed casein, delactosed or demineralized whey, lactoferrin, Lactoglobulin, curds, whey/ whey protein concentrate.
Other than that, you can avoid foods like:
Buttermilk, cheese, cottage cheese, custard, cream, pudding, yogurt and ice cream.
You could also find an alternative to a good source of vitamins such as broccoli, soy and spinach. You could also switch to dairy substitutes like rice, almond milk and soy.
Some more food items with milk in them are:
Baked goods, chewing gum, donuts, salad dressings, coffee creamers, mashed potatoes, cereals, margarine, candy, brown sugar, tofu, chocolate and caramel colouring/flavouring.
