This Patch Claims to Treat Lactose Intolerance. Does It Work?

The Trend: The wellness patch market has exploded in recent years, to the point where there’s seemingly a patch for any ailment. New to the patch batch is one that claims to treat lactose intolerance. But can it do the job like an oral tablet can?

What People Are Saying: The patch brand Barrière makes the Dear Dairy lactose relief patch. It works like other transdermal patches, by slowly and continuously secreting 2.5 mg of lactase into the bloodstream through the skin. Lactase is an enzyme that helps the body break down lactose, the sugar in dairy. People who are lactose intolerant don’t produce enough lactase, resulting in symptoms like bloating, cramping, gas, and other GI issues when they eat dairy. 

What to Know: Not having to plan ahead, remember to take pills, or miss out on a milkshake is pretty compelling. (Plus, the patches are cute and waterproof.) Anecdotally, some people claim the patches work, but gastroenterologists are skeptical about their effectiveness, and there’s no solid peer-reviewed research to back up the claims. If you’re lactose intolerant, there’s no harm in trying them, but maybe keep the Lactaid on hand just in case.