It\u2019s important to consult your doctor if you feel that you may have a milk allergy. The most common allergy tests are a skin-prick test or a blood test to look for the presence of immunoglobulin antibodies (IgE). A milk allergy can be managed by avoiding dairy products and the administration of epinephrine (adrenaline) if symptoms become severe. Yes, you can. A milk allergy is common in infants and young children, but it is thought that over 80% of children outgrow their allergy by the time they\u2019re 16. Though a milk allergy can sometimes be outgrown, there is a chance that this could stay with you for life.<\/p>\n If you feel that you could be allergic to milk, it is important to visit your doctor. At your consultation, your doctor may refer you for a skin-prick test. During this test, your skin is pricked and exposed to minute traces of proteins found in milk and monitor a reaction. You may also have a blood test which measures your immune system\u2019s response to milk. This measures the amount of IgE antibodies in your blood.<\/p>\n Lactose intolerance is a condition which cannot be outgrown or cured. It\u2019s a common digestive problem where the body is unable to digest lactose, which is a sugar found in milk products. Generally we are born with lactase enzymes which breakdown the sugar in the digestive tract. However, over time, the body may not be able to produce enough of this enzyme, leading to lactose intolerance.<\/p>\n Signs of lactose intolerance can often be mistaken for a milk protein intolerance and\/or a milk allergy, though a person can suffer from both a milk protein intolerance and lactose intolerance. Symptoms could begin between 30 minutes to 2 hours later and could include:<\/p>\n Please note, constipation is not a symptom of lactose intolerance.<\/p>\n Good question! It can be very confusing to wrap your head around the difference of all three conditions which involve troublesome symptoms when milk is consumed. Milk allergy and milk intolerance are reactions to the protein found in milk, whereas lactose intolerance is a digestive reaction to the sugar found in milk. What is milk intolerance?<\/b><\/p>\n Did you know it is estimated that 45% of the population suffer from a food intolerance\u2020<\/em>? Unlike a food allergy where symptoms come on rapidly, food intolerance symptoms can manifest relatively slowly. Symptoms are not life-threatening, unlike a food allergy, but they are often bothersome and can affect your quality of life. A milk intolerance is not necessarily lifelong and milk can sometimes be reintroduced after a period of elimination.<\/p>\n Milk (protein) intolerance causes a delayed response, taking up to 3 days to cause symptoms, and can result in a wide range of symptoms, such as:<\/p>\n If you have a milk protein intolerance then you should avoid all animal milks as the milk from cows, sheep and goats are all very similar, unless they are individually tested. Though milk intolerance symptoms can be less severe than an allergic reaction, they can still be very disruptive to a person\u2019s life. If you have consulted your doctor over your symptoms and they\u2019ve ruled out any underlying conditions, perhaps you should take a closer look at your diet.<\/p>\n yorktest, Europe\u2019s leading provider in food intolerance testing, has been providing tests privately for over 35 years. Their tests include a check for milk-specific IgG antibody reactions \u2013 this includes cow\u2019s milk, goat\u2019s milk and sheep\u2019s milk, depending on the type of test.<\/p>\n yorktest\u2019s food intolerance programmes analyse your IgG reactions to up to 208 food and drink ingredients. It\u2019s a simple home-to-laboratory finger prick test which provides nutritional consultations with a registered nutritional therapists and extra support to optimise your diet.<\/p>\n Here at yorktest, we want to make it as easy as it can be. We\u2019ve developed our FirstStep test and our full food intolerance programmes, so you can be on the road to optimal health. Whether it\u2019s to ask a quick question or to purchase a test, you can find us on live chat, or you can call our friendly Customer Care team on our free phone number: 0800 074 6185.<\/p>\n Dairy intolerance advice page<\/a> – Want to read more on dairy? This page is your guide to dairy intolerance – including real-life testimonials from people who have reacted to cow\u2019s milk, recognising milk-free foods, and the explanation of the difference between lactose intolerance and a milk protein intolerance. \u2020 <\/em>yorktest define food intolerance or sensitivity as a food-specific IgG reaction<\/em> \u201cI feel like I\u2019m in a new body! I\u2019m so much healthier. I can\u2019t tell you how amazingly different I have felt since!\u201d<\/p>\n
\nYou can read more on a milk allergy here<\/a>.<\/p>\nCan you be allergic to milk later in life?
\n<\/b><\/h4>\nIs there a test for milk allergies?
\n<\/b><\/h5>\nWhat is lactose intolerance?<\/b><\/h6>\n
What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?
\n<\/b><\/h6>\n\n
How does lactose intolerance differ from a milk allergy and a milk protein intolerance?
\n<\/b><\/h6>\n
\nIf a person with lactose intolerance drinks milk, they may suffer from bothersome symptoms, similar to a milk protein intolerance. Milk allergy, on the other hand, can be potentially fatal; not the case for milk intolerance or lactose intolerance.
\nWe\u2019ve created this infographic below to show you the difference between the three conditions:
\n![\"Milk](\"https:\/\/www.yorktest.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/08\/Milk-allergy-vs.-milk-intolerance-infographic.jpg\")
<\/p>\nShare this infographic on your site<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Milk](\"https:\/\/www.yorktest.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2014\/05\/Milk-allergy-vs.-milk-intolerance-infographic-209x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat are the signs and symptoms of milk intolerance?<\/b><\/h6>\n
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\nFor more information on dairy intolerance, you can read our advice page<\/a> to get the lowdown on how to test for a milk intolerance, how you can get enough calcium when you\u2019re avoiding milk, and milk-free foods. Click here<\/a>.
\nIt\u2019s also worthwhile to note that as individuals, what one person might react to may not be the same as another person. Here at yorktest, we call this your own \u2018food fingerprint\u2019.
\nIf you think that you might be intolerance to milk, there could be other food intolerances you may have which you may not realise. It is estimated that 45% of people have some kind of food intolerance and, on average those with positive reactions react to about 5 different foods which may or may not include milk.\u00a0Therefore, it\u2019s worth considering an IgG food intolerance\u2020<\/em> test.<\/p>\nHow do you test for a milk intolerance?<\/b><\/h6>\n
What is a food intolerance test?<\/b><\/h6>\n
Where can I get started?<\/b><\/h6>\n
\nPremium Food Intolerance Test<\/a>: This indicator test provides a simple yes or no result for a food intolerance\u2020<\/em>. If a positive reaction is identified, you can progress onto one of the full food intolerance programmes <\/a>to see which individual food triggers you have, including milk-specific IgG. You will also be provided with post-result aftercare, including content material and nutritional consultation(s).
\n![\"Firststep](\"https:\/\/www.yorktest.com\/app\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/08\/firststep-food-intolerance-test.png\")
<\/p>\nFurther support<\/b><\/h6>\n
Liked this? You might also be interested in:<\/b><\/h6>\n
\n5 food swaps for your food intolerances<\/a> \u2013 did you know the average person reacts to more than one food and drink ingredient? Find out what other alternatives you can have to support your elimination diet, following a yorktest programme.
\nBalancing your nutrients – There\u2019s no need to worry when it comes to losing nutrients on an elimination diet, so long as your diet is balanced and varied. This article explains what other alternatives are out there which includes, calcium, iron and a range of vitamins<\/p>\n
\nyorktest recommend that you discuss any medical concerns you have with a doctor before undertaking a yorktest programme<\/em>
\n\u00a0<\/em>yorktest define Food Intolerance as a food-specific IgG reaction. Our information is intended to provide nutritional advice for dietary optimisation. yorktest do not claim to treat or cure symptoms and recommend that you discuss any medical concerns you have with a doctor before undertaking a yorktest programme.<\/em><\/p>\nChoose the test that’s right for you<\/h2>\n
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