My daughter and grandson are both intolerant/ allergic to dairy products, not just lactose. My daughter was over all healthy growing up, but had minor ailments. As an adult she had breathing difficulties which did not respond to asthma medication. Her doctor told her that she couldn't possibly have asthma as a result, despite a strong family history. She had other less serious symptoms e.g. Dripping nose. A nutritionist helped her identify dairy and eggs as the problem. After eliminating them from her diet, her breathing etc improved considerably and she finds salbutamol effective on the rare occasions she needs it. However, if she inadvertently consumes dairy or egg, maybe cross contamination, she has violent diarrhoea within half an hour and can feel off colour for a couple of days. It was easy to identify her son's problem with dairy, as he did not have any through her milk. When she carefully introduced dairy into his diet, he began to have diarrhoea, severe nappy rash, vomiting, just as she had had as a baby. Fortunately eggs are no problem for him. My DD has problems accessing lactose free medication. She has to be vigilant when she is prescribed medication by gps or in hospital. For example when had preeclampsia. She was given medication with lactose in it and had to make a fuss, which is worrying. The pharmacist in her local town is brilliant and has gone to war with her GP on her behalf and sourced the appropriate medication. Many medications do contain lactose and vaccines are often derived from eggs. Lucky my DD is a healthy young lady. Long may it continue.
