Soy Allergy Symptoms
Soybeans are legumes that soy is derived from. An allergy to soy is most common in children, but is increasingly seen in adults. Typically, children outgrow their allergic reaction to soy between the ages of 3 and 5. Symptoms and signs of soy allergy are usually mild. Anaphylaxis is a life threatening reaction to soy that is rare and most likely occurs in individuals that have asthmas or experience allergic reactions to other foods such as peanuts.
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Symptoms
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An allergic reaction to soy will usually occur within a few minutes to an hour after eating the offending food. Symptoms range from tingling in the mouth, hives, itching, eczema, swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and throat, wheezing, runny nose, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting. It's best that you proceed to the doctor while you are experiencing a reaction and if you are experiencing more severe symptoms such as swelling of the tongue or feeling faint, you should call emergency services immediately.
Medical Information
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To help your doctor identify the cause of your symptoms, write down what type of reactions that you are experiencing, how long did the reaction last and how long after eating the offending food did you notice the reaction. You may want to tell your physician if you or anyone in your family has had a reaction to other foods in the past. Make a list of all prescriptions and over-the counter medications that are being used.
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Risk Factors
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According to Mayo Clinic.comm, allergies are caused by an immune system malfunction. The body perceives the soy protein as harmful, which triggers the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE), antibodies that are sent to neutralize the soy protein. If someone in your family is allergic to soy, that increases your risk for being allergic.
Foods
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The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requires that manufacturers list among the ingredients on packaged food the eight most common allergens that account for 90 percent of all food allergies. These foods include cow's milk, soy, wheat, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. If you have experienced allergic reactions to other foods, especially to other legumes like peanuts, kidney beans, lima beans, black-eyed peas, etc. you may also experience an allergic reaction to soy and soy products.
Diagnosis
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In order to identify a specific allergy, a doctor may recommend two different type of tests to verify if you are allergic to soy. During the skin test, an area of the skin is pricked and exposed to a small amount of the soy protein. If your skin exhibits a raised bump at the test site that means that you are allergic to soy. This test is usually performed and best interpreted by an allergy specialist.
During a blood test, a sample of your blood is sent to a laboratory where the blood is measured for your immune system response to soy. The blood is measured for the amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the bloodstream.
Treatments
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The signs, symptoms, reaction and discomfort of an allergic reaction to soy can be controlled by taking an antihistamine. Those with severe allergic reactions may have to carry on a daily basis an EpiPen,which is a shot of epinephrine (adrenaline). The only true way to prevent an allergic reaction to soy is to avoid soy and soy-based products.
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