What is the difference between cow's milk allergy and cow's milk intolerance?

And why it's important to know the difference

Avoiding cow's milk is one thing. Understanding why you do it helps you make choices that really work for your body. Cow's milk allergy and intolerance are often lumped together, while cause, symptoms and approach are clearly different. Below I explain it clearly, so you know what to look out for in daily life.

What is cow's milk allergy?

At cow's milk allergy does your immune system see certain milk proteins as invaders. Your body makes antibodies and usually reacts quickly. This can manifest as skin reactions such as itching or hives, swelling of lips or face, shortness of breath or wheezing, nausea or vomiting, sometimes with diarrhea.

In rare cases, a severe reaction may occur. Cow's milk allergy is most common in infants and young children, but can also develop later. If you suspect an allergy, always contact your doctor for examination and guidance.

Cow's milk allergy thus has symptoms such as:

• Hives or itchy skin
• Tightness or wheezing
• Braken or diarrhea
• Swollen lips or tongue
• In rare cases: a anaphylactic shock (life-threatening)

Cow's milk allergy is most common in infants and young children, but it can also develop later in life. It is usually diagnosed through an allergy test or blood test.

Please note that on this website we focus mainly on intolerances, such as cow's milk intolerance and lactose intolerance. Do you suspect you have a cow's milk allergy? If so, always contact your doctor or specialist.

What is cow's milk intolerance?

With cow's milk intolerance, there is no classic immune reaction. You react sensitively to milk proteins from cow's milk, such as casein or whey. The symptoms are often broader and regularly delayed: a bloated stomach or cramps, fluctuating stools, as well as fatigue, nausea or a dip in concentration.

Because the reaction does not have to occur immediately, the link to cow's milk is sometimes not seen until later. Important to know: lactose-free dairy usually does not help with this, because the milk proteins remain. More background can be found in: What is cow's milk intolerance and the basics about milk proteins in What are milk proteins.

Cow's milk intolerance thus has symptoms such as:

• Bloated belly
• Cramps or abdominal pain
• Alternating stools (diarrhea or constipation)
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Headache or concentration problems

The complaints are often delayed. Sometimes you don't feel it until hours or even a day later. This makes it harder to recognize and less likely to be taken seriously.

The main differences

	Cow's milk allergy	Cow's milk intolerance
Response	Immune system makes antibodies	Digestion or metabolism gets upset
Symptoms	Often violent and acute	More vague and delayed
Age	Especially in babies and children	Occurs at any age
Testable	Yes, via allergy test or blood test	Difficult, often via elimination diet
Treatment	Complete elimination, sometimes medication	Avoiding cow's milk

Why is this difference important?

The difference determines what you do best. At cow's milk allergy hears strict elimination Of cow's milk protein and pay close attention to cross-contamination. At cow's milk intolerance it is often enough to avoid cow's milk or switch specific products for alternatives. If you confuse the two, you can either be too strict with yourself or reassure yourself unfairly. The better you know the distinction, the more focused your choices will become and the easier it will be to inform others.

How do you know what you have?

Are you unsure if you need a cow's milk allergy or cow's milk intolerance have? Discuss your symptoms with your GP. Who can help think about research and next steps.

Also read: What is cow's milk intolerance? or What is lactose intolerance?

Your complaints are really

Whatever you have, allergy or intolerance, your symptoms are real. And you don't have to figure it out on your own. At NooMooo we collect everything you want to know about living without cow's milk. So you don't have to google or talk to Chat yourself until you drop.

Read on, discover what works for you, and most importantly, feel: heard, helped and understood.

What is the difference between cow's milk allergy and cow's milk intolerance

In cow's milk allergy, the immune system reacts to milk proteins with sometimes severe and rapid symptoms. In cow's milk intolerance, there is no immediate immune response but sensitivity to milk components with more often delayed symptoms.

What is cow's milk allergy and what symptoms are associated with it

Cow's milk allergy is an immune reaction to milk proteins. Possible symptoms include hives or itching, shortness of breath or wheezing, vomiting or diarrhea, swollen lips or tongue and, in rare cases, anaphylactic shock.

What is cow's milk intolerance and what symptoms are associated with it

Cow's milk intolerance is a sensitivity to milk components such as milk proteins without an immediate immune response. Symptoms may include abdominal bloating, cramps or abdominal pain, fluctuating stools, fatigue, nausea and headaches or difficulty concentrating.

How quickly symptoms arise in allergy and intolerance

With cow's milk allergy, symptoms often appear quickly and acutely. With cow's milk intolerance, symptoms frequently do not appear until hours later or even the next day.

At what age do cow's milk allergy and cow's milk intolerance occur

Cow's milk allergy is mostly seen in infants and young children but can develop later. Cow's milk intolerance can occur at any age.

How is cow's milk allergy diagnosed

Cow's milk allergy is usually diagnosed with an allergy test or a blood test.

Is there a test for cow's milk intolerance

There is no quick test. Practice often involves an elimination period followed by the reintroduction of cow's milk to assess the effect on symptoms.

What is the treatment for cow's milk allergy and cow's milk intolerance

Cow milk allergy requires complete elimination and sometimes medication. For cow's milk intolerance, avoiding cow's milk helps.

Need to watch out for cross-contamination and traces of milk

With cow's milk allergy, caution with cross-contamination is important. With cow's milk intolerance, the emphasis is on avoiding cow's milk protein in products.

What do I do when in doubt between allergy and intolerance

Discuss your symptoms with your doctor or specialist so that appropriate research and advice can be given.