Talk:Lactose intolerance

Was it considered the difference between "lactose intolerance" and "milk allergy"?

I'm not an expert, but I can tell you that someone I know very well has a milk allergy but is not particularly lactose intolerant. In her case, after eating or drinking something dairy, she sneezes. Lactose intolerance is an inability to digest lactose, the sugar which is found in dairy products. It's actually not considered to be a abnormal ... most adults have some level of lactose intolerance. Milk allergy, on the other hand, is an abnormal reaction by the immune system to a food protein that is harmless to most people. Milk allergy can be life threatening in extreme cases. Lactose intolerance, on the other hand, causes discomfort and possibly embarrassment (yes, it does make you fart), but won't kill you. Steve

Couldn't have said it any better! Since Leonard is only lactose intolerant and milk allergy (so allergy against milk proteins) has never been mentioned, I don't really think it should be discussed in the article. Antonia