Soy is ranked among the top 8 foods that commonly cause an allergic reaction, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A soy allergy can cause various symptoms that are unpleasant, such as nasal congestion, asthma, an upset stomach and skin rashes. If you've been diagnosed with a soy allergy, you doctor will recommend the most effect relief for your condition. Common ways to relieve a soy allergy are to identify the cause, avoid consuming soy products and using medications to treat symptoms if you accidentally eat a product with soy. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat without a doctor's supervision.
Information
A soy allergy is caused by a malfunction of the immune system where the protein in the soy is mistaken as harmful. The body reacts to the soy proteins by creating a defense system with chemical compounds called antibodies. Immunoglobulin E, or IgE antibodies are allergy-specific and trigger the production of other chemicals that work to fight off the proteins, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Histamine is one chemical released in the body that causes inflammation in different soft tissues throughout the body, leading to common allergy symptoms.
Identification
Relief for a soy allergy begins with a proper diagnosis. If you doctor suspects that you're allergic to soy, he may recommend allergy testing. MayoClinic.com states that allergy tests are performed to determine if soy proteins cause the production of IgE antibodies in your body. Skin tests inject a tiny amount of the soy protein under the skin to see if your skin becomes inflamed or itchy. A blood sample is taken and tested by adding soy proteins to it to see if IgE antibodies form.
Avoidance
If diagnosed with a soy allergy, the most effective treatment is to avoid the consumption of soy. Avoiding soy may be more complicated than it appears. Almost 60 percent of all processed foods contain soy that could easily go unnoticed by the packaging, according to Allergic Child. Some ingredients to be aware of include vegetable gum, textured vegetable protein, hydrolyzed plant protein, flavorings and vegetable starch, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Some products that commonly contain soy are lunch meats, sausage links and ice cream.
Medications
Certain medication may be able to provide relief from soy allergy symptoms. The most common allergy medication is an antihistamine. Antihistamines are available over-the-counter and block the body from creating histamine. If you are severely allergic to soy, your doctor may prescribe an epinephrine pen, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.
