Milk Allergy Vs Intolerance?
Posted by: Alan in Milk Allergies, tags: Allergy, Intolerance, Milk
My 2 year old little boy has suffered from constant diahreer, tummy cramps, runny nose, waking in the night with tummy pains and general withdrawn personality since birth. Doctors were reluctant to take it very seriously seeing as he was growing ok, but finally he was seen a month ago and they suspected a problem with milk. We cut it out completely and within 48 hours his symptoms dropped by about 80 %. He slept through for the first time since he was born and is a totally different little boy! he is excited, interested, bubbly, all the things he never was before!! he seems fine with all dairy, except brown chocolate which upsets his tummy (I have the same problem!!), but I am unclear as to whether he has an intolerance or allergy? The doctor was not clear and he is not due a follow up for a couple of months, but I am interested to understand which he has as I know theres a big difference between them. Can anyone tell me from his symptoms which he is likely to have? I hope he will grow out of it but right now I dont dare let him the near the stuff!!! I love my new little boy.. he’s sooo happy! Thanks for any help 
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November 9th, 2009 at 2:15 am
Probably just intolerance. A milk allergy will present the same way a peanut allergy would, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing.
Glad your son is feeling better! Sucks to be lactose intolerant at such a young age. Good Luck!
November 9th, 2009 at 7:48 am
I have a similar situation
At the moment it is best to keep away from dairy altogether…
But as time goes on introduce certain dairy products that arent fully milk, so maybe powder custard or cheese and check his reaction.
Building it up like that allows the situation to be monitered and you may never know the difference.
But i know for me it helped lots as i can tell what i will be ok with and what i wont be.
November 9th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
I don’t understand how he can be fine with all dairy, but can’t drink milk? I am glad he’s doing better, however. It does sound like an intolerance instead of a true allergy. Just make sure you find out what part of milk he is intolerant of. There are people that are lactose intolerant, those that are casein intolerant, and they both show up in different products, and some you wouldn’t expect in the least. So it would be good to know that for him going forward. He may seem ok with “all dairy” but cheese, yogurt can contain offending ingredients and do damage to his little body even if he doesn’t seem sick. Just sayin’ -