These two conditions are very different and if you are suffering from intestinal tract distress, such as diarrhea and bloating or hives and wheezing, seek the advice of a physician for diagnosis. Lactose intolerance is strictly an inability to digest the milk sugar due to a lack of a digestive enzyme called lactase. As a result, you have symptoms of gas and bloating and some diarrhea due to the inability ("intolerance") to digest lactose. These symptoms, which appear about 30 minutes or more after consuming dairy, are also dose dependent, with matters worsening when a larger serving is consumed at one time. A milk allergy, on the other hand, is an immune system response. This means the body is internally "fighting" the suspected allergen in the milk (usually the protein) resulting in severe symptoms, which appear within minutes of consuming dairy, including tightening of airways, itching and hives along with stomach pain and vomiting. For more information check out the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (www.aaaai.org)" or consult with your doctor.