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One of the allergies that are very likely to manifest earliest in one's  life is milk allergy. This happens mainly because milk is associated with babies and infants. However, many people tend to associate the term milk allergy with a lactose intolerance which is not the case. This particular confusion is to be understood because both conditions are caused by cow's milk. But the allergens that triggers each of this conditions are very different. Milk allergies are very likely to start throughout one's life. For instance, you can experience milk allergy as an infant or you can experience it when you are in your thirties. But it seems that even if milk allergies are usually associated with infancy and childhood, there are plenty of grown-ups who suffer from milk allergies as well. A milk allergy is triggered by particular proteins in cow's milk or in every type of dairy. On the other hand, a milk intolerance will be triggered by the milk sugar lactose. So, if you are lactose intolerant, you will have a problem with the enzyme levels, the so-called lactase – a protein that is required in order to have the milk sugar lactose digested in your body. This absence or deficiency is the one that causes your lactose intolerance. Usually, milk intolerance is likely to happen after five or six years of age – so, you may be just fine drinking milk as a child when you may start experiencing a milk intolerance. Another difference between milk allergy and lactose intolerance is the fact that an allergy involves the direct response of your immune system - so, if you have a milk allergy, your immune system will be directly involved in causing all the nasty allergy symptoms. But if you are suffering from a milk intolerance, you will experience lactose intolerance symptoms that are mainly gastrointestinal in their nature. Whether you have a lactose intolerance or a milk allergy, you will have to pay attention to your daily diet. Since there is no present cure for milk allergy, you will have to eliminate all the dairy foods from your daily diet. Also, you will have to start identifying the milk proteins on the labels of the foods you are accustomed to eat in order to avoid those that contain milk proteins that can trigger your allergic reactions. If you are suffering from a lactose intolerance, you may avoid eating dairy products and drinking milk. Also, you will need a lactase supplement in order to provide your digestive system with the enzyme it needs. Such lactase supplements are your only chance to enjoy eating dairy products without having to experience the lactose intolerance symptoms. Keep in mind that your necessary dose of lactase will directly depend upon every dairy product you want to eat. Plus, if you are suffering from milk intolerance, you will be denied calcium in your daily diet and you will have to search for the available alternatives in order to provide your body with the calcium it needs in order to stay healthy. For instance, you can use some substitute products such as Tofu and Soya, as long as you do not have soy allergy as well.
Photo – Flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/94953676@N00/2316884518
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