Can one stop being allergic to something?

This has me puzzled. For years and years in the States, I was lactose intollerant. I had to have Lactaid pills and all sorts. A few weeks ago, I couldn't be bothered to have my pills every time I wanted regular milk with my tea/coffee at work. I just went ahead and had the milk-nothing happened. I didn't run to the loo with a dire emergency as I did in the past. I've eaten regular chocolate for past few weeks, no emergencies. I've had some of DH's yogurts cause I'd run out of the soya ones, no effects/emergencies. Touch wood, because I love being able to eat what I like, when I like, but, what's going on here? Is this just me?Hmmm....

Yes. Although rarer in adults.  You can build up a tolerance to dairy, but were you actually allergic or did you just an intolerance?

Yes. Although rarer in adults.  You can build up a tolerance to dairy, but were you actually allergic or did you just an intolerance?

I was intolerant from about 21 or so. I just wasn't able to drink regular milk or eat cheese or have any milk based products. When I did, I'd need to do a mad dash to the loo or pay the embarrassing consequences(sp?). I never got myself tested over there cause I didn't have a doctor.

Well, you can adapt.  I wouldn't push it though. 

Sure you can. Technically, I've known I was allergic to cats since I was 9, but I refused to get rid of my cat Sneakers and I've had a cat ever since! It does bother me sometimes when cats rub against my face (makes my nose itch, sinus stuffiness and eyes water) but other than that, I'm pretty much okay and can have short hair cats for pets with no problems (I just watch my hands before I touch my face if I've been stroking the cat.) So I say yes! 

Yeah, I'm totally adapting! Soo happy. I'm starting with getting proper yogurt when we do food shoping today!

Lactose intolerance is funny and I suspect that depending upon what you eat and what your other environmental factors are, you may well be able to tolerate it better now. It isn't unusual for children to outgrow food allergies or intolerances (eggs and milk in particular).

But I do want to point out that there is a very big difference in the food world between allergies and intolerances. Allergies can be life-threatening, intolerances just make you sick.

Yogurts are better tolerated by many with lactose intolerance but if you'd had problems in the past, I'd not run out and eat a cheese pizza unless you know you're going to be near a loo! So far your dairy intake hasn't bee that high so I'd just urge a bit of caution.

Yogurts are better tolerated by many with lactose intolerance but if you'd had problems in the past, I'd not run out and eat a cheese pizza unless you know you're going to be near a loo! So far your dairy intake hasn't bee that high so I'd just urge a bit of caution.

Be sure to stick to harder cheeses if you're experimenting. Like yogurt, hard cheese has less lactose than typical milk, so it's easier to digest. I've never really had problems with yogurt, though. Make sure you're getting the stuff with probiotics. I've been lactose intolerant since I was 8, so I know the annoyance of avoiding foods or taking a Lactaid with it and hoping it works!

I hope yours is improving! I'd give anything to eat normal ice cream again...

To clarify, lactose intolerance is not an allergy.

Lactose intolerance means that you are unable to digest lactose, which is the sugar in dairy products, because your body does not have the enzymes to digest it.

You can have various degrees of lactose intolerance, and the severity can change with age.

An allergy is a reaction to a protein in something.  Your immune system treats the protein as if it is something dangerous, like a virus or bacteria that spreads disease.

An allergic reaction does not just involve your digestive system, it involves your whole body because your whole immune system is turned on.

Some people are allergic to the protein in milk. This is not the same as lactose intolerance.

It's true that allergies and intolerances are different, but both can change.  Like Jewlz, I used to be allergic to cats, and dogs as well.  Terribly allergic, as in couldn't go into a house where one lived for five minutes without a massive reaction.  Now, I'm fine with them.  However, I never used to get hay fever, but I think I might be developing some pollen allergies.  The point is, people's bodies change as they get older, so it is definitely possible to outgrow allergies and intolerances, or to develop new ones. 

Good luck with the yogurt, Abbygirl!

When I was younger, I went through a 2-3 year period where chocolate and alcohol triggered migraines.  I had to go teetotal and eat carob if I wanted a chocolate-type taste.  Neither bother me anymore. 

I have a friend who seems to have stress-induced lactose intolerance. Most of the time she's fine but every once in awhile when she's extra stressed--like when planning her wedding or when she's approaching her law school finals--she gets lactose intolerant. It's very strange but it's the only explanation she can come up with.

Update for today: had vanilla ice cream, with chocolate topping and sugar strands. No trips to the loo yet, no serious tummy grumblings. Also had an American cheese slice on a piece of toast for lunch, which was followed by Mr Kilping's country slice and grapes. No reactions. I'm only eating this way at home-because it's safe. The yogurts are waiting for me in the fridge.   I also wanted to thank those with more knowledge than myself. I knew I had chosen the wrong term after I typed it in, but then there was no going back. Whoops! Thanks again!

It's possible that you were allergic or intolerant to something else in the milk other than lactose. The U.S. may use additives, growth hormones, etc. that are banned or not used in the U.K. I know this is the case with meat.

Also, the cows' diet in the U.K. may be significantly different from that of cows in America.

But whatever the case this is fortunate for you with all the great cheeses and yogurts available here.

It's possible that you were allergic or intolerant to something else in the milk other than lactose. The U.S. may use additives, growth hormones, etc. that are banned or not used in the U.K. I know this is the case with meat.

Also, the cows' diet in the U.K. may be significantly different from that of cows in America.

These are all good points & I was going to comment similar, earlier on, but I didn't get around to it.  As I understand, there are more hormones & so forth in US milk.  Also in the US, Vitamin D is added to milk, but not in the UK - although I think that would be a good addition here too, considering the low levels of sunshine in the winter...lol!  Hopefully, the OP isn't allergic to Vitamin D though.