What's the difference between being allergic to milk and being lactose intollerant?

When my 3 year old grandson went from baby formula to milk, he couldn't digest it and was diagnosed as being lactose intolerant, so he went back on formula for six months and now is just fine with milk and dairy products. I understand it's pretty common in children. He was put on soy formula and then I guess outgrew the intolerance to milk.

I think if you are allergic you'll actually break out and have a typical allergic reaction to milk (hives, etc.). However, you should probably still be able to eat cheese and all that(check with your allergist). Lactose interolant means you have a lot of trouble digesting dairy products of all kinds. Some people can take lactaid pills and have an easier time at it. However, the symptoms of this would be your body having difficulty digesting the food (vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps).

YES!

Your mother in law is right. That allergist should be flogged! Wrong terminolgy! You lack the enzyme to break down the lactose molecules, no biggie. Lactaid makes yummy milk, my whole family drinks it. They have taken the lactose molecule and split it so you CAN digest it. I always find the lactaid by the regular milk-it's in your grocery store and comes 1% to full fat. Lactaid chocolate milk is outstanding, too. Any cheese that is soft is a no no. Cheeses that are aged for a long time, like cheddar, are easier to digest. Cheddar is your friend, so buy it grated, chunked and sliced. We have found Yoplait yogurt to be the most tolerable, just in case you are a yogurt lover. Lactaid also makes tablets that you can take before you eat something that's off limits. Pop that Lactaid pill before you go out to eat so you don't have to play the Dairy Detective game or suffer when they've claimed something is dairy free that's not. There is a chewable Simethicone that is good for the dairy related gas, it's cheap over the counter stuff that's been around forever. Best of luck to you!