Lactose intolerance can be tested more thoroughly using a lactose tolerance test, a hydrogen breath test and a stool acidity test. Your doctor can arrange for these tests on the NHS if necessary.
 Infants with a suspected milk allergy will usually be given a skin prick test or blood test. In the skin prick test, the skin is pricked with a tiny amount of the suspected allergen to see if there is a positive reaction (the skin becomes itchy, red and swollen). A blood test measures the amount of IGE antibodies in the blood, which is produced by the immune system in response to a suspected allergen.
See our ‘Links’ section for more information on testing for a dairy allergy or intolerance.
Treating a dairy allergy
All dairy products have to be removed from the diet completely. Some people with a cow’s milk allergy may also have similar problems with sheep’s and goat’s milk because the proteins they contain are quite similar.
WHERE CAN I GET TESTED?
There are about 90 NHS allergy clinics in the UK. For details of all medically approved allergy clinics (NHS and private) visit www.specialistinfo.com or contact Allergy UK tel: 01322 619898, website www.allergyuk.org. |
