Soy allergy can trigger minor to severe symptoms in some individuals. It is triggered once the immune system perceives proteins in soy as a threat. Soybeans are part of the legume family which also includes foods such as peas, kidney beans, lentils and peanuts.
Soybeans or edamame are utilized in various processed foods. Even though mainly linked with tofu, soy is present in unanticipated, processed foods such as:
- Certain cereal brands
- Condiments such as Worcestershire sauce
- Natural and artificial flavorings
- Frozen meats and meals
- Vegetable broths and starches
- Most types of Asian foods
- Some peanut butters
Some of the digestive symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
What are the indications?
The indications of soy allergy can range from minor to severe and include:
- Diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Fever
- Runny nose, difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Fever blisters
- Itchiness and swelling
- Conjunctivitis
- Skin reactions including eczema and hives
- Anaphylactic shock
Among infants, additional symptoms might include irritability and crying.
How is it diagnosed
Various tests are used to confirm if an individual has soy allergy.
- Skin prick test – the suspected allergen is placed on the skin and a needle is used to prick the upper skin layer. The area is monitored if a reaction arises.
- Intradermal skin test – this is like a skin prick test except that a small amount of the allergen is injected beneath the skin using a syringe.
- Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) – this blood test is done among infants less than a year old. This test determines the amount of IgE antibody in the blood.
- Elimination diet – the individual is instructed to stop eating the suspected foods for several weeks and then steadily adds them back into the diet one at a time while monitoring any reactions
- Food challenge test – this is the ideal way to test for food allergies where the individual is given increasing amounts of the suspected allergen while monitoring for the symptoms
Management
The ideal treatment for soy allergy is avoidance of all soy products. Individuals with the allergy must carefully read the labels to ensure that the products do not contain soy.
More Information / Disclaimer
The information posted on this page on soy allergy is for learning purposes only. Learn to recognize and manage allergies including to soy by taking a standard first aid course with Saskatoon First Aid.