Soy allergy symptoms include hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis is a severe reaction that requires emergency treatment. Soy is found in many food products and can be difficult to avoid. Diagnosis involves monitoring for reactions or performing skin or blood tests. Antihistamines can help with symptoms, but those at risk of anaphylaxis may need injectable adrenaline and a medical alert bracelet.
The most common signs of an allergic reaction to soy include hives, itching and swelling of the face, tongue and throat area or other areas of the body. Gastrointestinal pain, tingling in the mouth, or difficulty breathing are other typical signs. In most cases, a soy allergy isn’t serious but it can be bothersome. Rarely, an individual can experience a severe reaction to soy called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that often causes shock, a rapid pulse, and airway constriction that makes it nearly impossible to breathe.
For most people, the symptoms of a soy allergy are bothersome but not life-threatening. Many people have gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. Your mouth may tingle or your skin may itch, develop hives, or flush. Parts of the body may swell and the person consuming soy may wheeze or have a runny nose and trouble breathing.
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction to soy that’s rare but more likely in people with other food allergies or asthma. This is a medical emergency that often causes swelling in the throat that prevents breathing, shock, and full-body flushing. Rapid pulse, dizziness, and a rapid drop in blood pressure are other symptoms of anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to soy usually appear within minutes to several hours after eating a food product that contains soy. Soy may appear on a product label as soy, soybeans, glycine max, or edamame. Tofu, miso and tempeh are made with soy as the main ingredient.
Hidden sources of soy include hydrolyzed and structured vegetable proteins, lecithin and vitamin E. Vegetable oil and monosodium glutamate are other common but hidden sources of soy protein. People with a soy allergy can also look for “contains soy” on the label if in doubt.
An allergic reaction to soy typically first occurs in infancy when a baby reacts to soy-based infant formula. Most children with this food allergy will eventually outgrow it, but in some cases it will continue into adulthood. Breastfeeding for the first four months or using milk-based formula can help reduce the risk of food allergies in general.
Like all food allergies, an allergic reaction to soy is caused by an immune system reaction. The immune system mistakenly determines that soy protein is harmful and produces antibodies. The next time soy is introduced into the body, these soy protein antibodies trigger the immune system to release histamine. Histamine, among other chemicals, causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction to soy.
Diagnosing a soy allergy usually involves consuming the suspected allergen and monitoring the individual for a reaction. A doctor may also perform a skin test during which the skin is pinched and exposed to a small amount of soy protein. A person allergic to soy protein will develop a hive at the site of exposure. A blood test is also available that detects the amount of soy protein antibodies in the bloodstream.
Soy allergy sufferers should avoid all soy products to prevent an allergic reaction. This can be challenging given the pervasive use of soy in food products such as meats, chocolates, and baked goods, including nearly every bread product available in the United States. Many breakfast cereals also contain soy protein. Fortunately, most people with a soy allergy can tolerate a small to moderate amount of protein.
Antihistamines can reduce symptoms but not cure the allergy. Individuals at risk of anaphylaxis may need to carry injectable adrenaline and wear a medical alert bracelet at all times. If such individuals come in contact with soy or a soy protein, they may need to be injected immediately and seek emergency medical treatment.
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