Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance can be defined as a person’s inability to break down or digest the sugars or lactose that is found in milk. Some of the main signs or symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea and stomach ache. Some will even experience eczema and vomiting as additional symptoms of milk allergy. The symptoms lactose intolerance children normally display is eczema and vomiting. These signs can be seen as soon as 30 minutes to 60 minutes post the person or child consuming a dairy product or even breast milk.

The doctor will usually advise and diagnose this lactose intolerance condition in the baby, child or adult after observation. The stomach pain which is one of the main symptoms of milk allergy is caused by the overproduction of gases in the person’s intestines. The babies will indicate this lactose intolerance by grimacing or crying inconsolably post consuming milk. They will twist and turn their bodies in an effort to relieve this discomfort. Disturbed sleep is another lactose intolerance symptom. In the case of children and babies they will cry more than normal and will indicate signs of being in pain. Some of the lactose intolerance symptoms in adults include gastrointestinal disorders. There will be signs of colic and excessive gas which is along with vomiting and diarrhea. In babies there will be signs of a runny, dark stool. One should take care that these signs of diarrhea and vomiting can also lead to dehydration among the adult and the children. One should make sure that plenty of fluids are given to the patient to prevent any kind of dehydration setting in which can be very serious in case of a toddler or a child. Some children will exhibit signs of eczema as a sign of this lactose intolerance. This eczema is characterized by a particularly dry skin with a roughish texture. This is also characterized by small whitish bumps. These dry scales and patches can cover a fairly large part of the patient’s body. There can be additional flare ups that can result due to a bad attack which will show up as raised and red patches which may even start to ooze and cause the skin to itch and become uncomfortable. These eczemas can often times be relieved by the use of gentler soap and a moisturizer after bath. This lactose intolerance can also be one of the causes of constipation in a person. Lactose intolerance is not referred to as a milk allergy but more as an intolerance that a person has to the lactose that is found in the milk.

A real true milk allergy is defined as the person’s immune system’s reaction or response to the protein that is found present in the milk. This condition of lactose intolerance is a fairly common condition. It is found to affect the male and the female population equally. The severity of this lactose intolerance condition is found to affect different people differently. Some people may be able to drink a small glass of milk without suffering a reaction whereas other may be able to drink two glasses without a reaction. For others, consuming ice cream or consuming aged cheese like Swiss and cheddar may produce no reaction. Some of the grocery items that are found to contain lactose are baked products and breads, margarine, salad dressings, soups, breakfast drinks, candies and lunch meats. Even mixed for cookies, pancakes and biscuits contain lactose. Some of the non dairy products like whipped toppings and coffee creamer that is powdered, may also contain some ingredients and contents that are primarily made from milk.

Submitted on January 16, 2014