A few babies are lactose intolerant from birth and must drink lactose-free formula instead of breast milk. However, most people who are lactose intolerant lose their ability to digest milk sometime after infancy. Usually, this occurs between ages 2 and 12, though you may not experience symptoms until late adolescence or adulthood.
5. It’s not an allergy.
Milk allergy is less common but more harmful than lactose intolerance. If you’re allergic to milk, your body fights dairy as if it were a harmful invader. Symptoms are typically more severe and can include wheezing, itchy eyes, and rash. People with this allergy must avoid milk products entirely.
6. Not all dairy is off limits.
Unlike those with allergies, most people with lactose intolerance can drink up to a half-cup of milk with no symptoms. Other dairy products have lower levels of lactose and may be even easier to digest. These include hard or aged cheeses and yogurt.
7. Dietary changes can relieve symptoms.
Start with small doses of dairy and see if you can increase your intake over time. Lactose-free and reduced-lactose milk are increasingly available, as are soy milk and other milk substitutes. Finally, taking over-the-counter lactase drops or tablets can help you digest dairy.