How long does lactose intolerance self-heal?

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on March 30, 2025
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Lactose intolerance may resolve on its own in some babies after the age of three, while others may not recover from it. Lactose intolerance primarily occurs because the secretion of lactase in the intestines decreases, leading to incomplete breakdown of lactose found in breastmilk or cow's milk. This results in symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and indigestion. There are two causes of lactose intolerance: one is congenital lactose intolerance, which requires long-term medication or avoiding dairy products as much as possible. The other cause is transient lactose intolerance due to infection, which generally improves about a month after treatment.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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How many times a day does lactose intolerance cause diarrhea?

Patients with lactose intolerance can have multiple bowel movements per day after consuming milk; a mild case can result in 3-4 bowel movements, while severe cases might lead to dozens, potentially causing dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. For lactose-intolerant patients who need to consume milk, it must be specially treated beforehand. Additionally, if diarrhea is caused by poor digestion in the gastrointestinal tract, certain medications that adjust the gut microbiota can be used to aid digestion, such as Bifidobacterium triple viable bacteria and Bacillus cereus, etc. If the diarrhea is caused by allergies, allergen testing should be conducted. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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What are the effects of lactose intolerance in infants?

Lactose intolerance in children primarily causes an imbalance in the gut microbiome, leading to digestive system symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The main mechanism is the insufficient secretion of lactase in the baby's intestines, which fails to digest and absorb lactose in food, resulting in symptoms of lactose intolerance. In such cases, the intake of probiotics orally and reducing the intake of foods containing lactose can be helpful. If the baby is fed with formula or breast milk, taking lactase orally or switching to lactose-free formula milk for feeding can be considered. If the child has already started on solid foods, halt the intake of dairy products and simply continue feeding with solid foods, such as porridge, noodles, or rice flour. If a baby shows signs of lactose intolerance, it is crucial to monitor for symptoms of dehydration. If there are signs like poor skin turgor, low energy, or reduced urine output, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly from a specialist to manage and prevent the aggravation of dehydration symptoms.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What should I do if the baby is lactose intolerant?

If the baby is lactose intolerant and does not have frequent bowel movements and it does not affect their growth and development, then no special treatment is needed. If there is frequent diarrhea and slow weight gain, then an adjustment in diet is necessary. If there is significant acute diarrhea accompanied by dehydration, we should initially rehydrate the infant either intravenously or orally to correct the dehydration. At the same time, you can start with some lactose-free formula and, after the diarrhea stops, gradually increase the amount of breast milk or other formulas based on the child's condition. Regardless of whatever food substitute is used, the overall principle is to not decrease the nutritional needs of the child. As solid foods are introduced and breast milk or cow's milk is decreased, diarrhea will gradually cease. If diarrhea does not subside, oral lactase enzyme preparations can also be provided to supplement lactase enzyme therapy.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
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What should I do if I am lactose intolerant?

If lactose intolerance occurs, it is essential to adjust the diet and medication. Lactose intolerance can cause an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and changes in stool characteristics in children. If it persists for a long time, it can lead to indigestion and malnutrition. In cases where the symptoms are not severe, reducing the intake of lactose-containing foods and adding lactase can help alleviate the symptoms. However, if the condition has been prolonged and is accompanied by complications such as malnutrition, it is advisable to temporarily stop the intake of formula and dairy products and feed lactose-free formula until the symptoms improve and then resume a normal diet. Lactose intolerance can be congenital or acquired, but the treatment method is through dietary control.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Does lactose intolerance cause mucus in the stool?

Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose, typically resulting in symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain after consuming dairy products. It is relatively common among Chinese people. Unlike lactose allergy, this condition only requires controlling the intake of lactose, rather than completely avoiding dairy products. This disease generally does not present symptoms like passing mucus. The presence of mucus in stool usually suggests the possibility of chronic colitis. In such cases, it is advised to undergo a colonoscopy to examine the intestinal mucosa for mucus attachment, or signs of hyperemia, erosion, or edema.