What should you know about lactose intolerance treatment at home?

Lactose intolerance happens when the gut has too little lactase to digest lactose, the sugar in milk. Undigested lactose is fermented by bowel bacteria and may cause gas, cramps, [Bloating](/symptoms/bloating/) or [Diarrhoea](/symptoms/diarrhoea/). Home measures can reduce exposure and reveal a pattern, but they do not confirm the diagnosis. Milk allergy, infection and other bowel conditions may cause similar symptoms. More background is available in [Lactose Intolerance](/conditions/lactose-intolerance/).

Keep a diary, then reduce the specific dairy foods that repeatedly trigger symptoms rather than removing every food at once. Some people tolerate small portions, yoghurt, hard cheese or lactose-free products better than ordinary milk. Read labels because lactose can be present in prepared foods and medicines. Maintain calcium and vitamin D through suitable fortified alternatives or other foods, and seek [Nutrition Counselling](/treatments/lifestyle-and-wellness/nutrition-counselling/) if your choices are becoming narrow. A clinician can guide a structured trial or [Food Intolerance Testing](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/food-intolerance-testing/).

Arrange a review if symptoms continue despite reducing lactose, repeatedly interrupt daily life, or cause poor intake, dehydration or weight loss. Seek urgent help for severe or worsening [Abdominal Pain](/symptoms/abdominal-pain/), repeated vomiting, blood in stool, faintness, breathing difficulty or swelling of the lips, tongue or face. Do not assume a reaction is intolerance when allergy warning signs are present.

Ask how long to trial lactose reduction, which foods can replace dairy nutrients, whether lactase products are suitable for you, and whether another condition should be checked.