Is lactose intolerance the same as a dairy allergy?

No. Lactose intolerance is caused by a decrease in the body’s production of lactase. Lactase is an enzyme that helps digest lactose, the natural sugar found in milk. The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance are swelling, cramps and diarrhea. On the other hand, a dairy allergy is an immunological reaction to casein, the protein found in milk.