Food allergies are common among toddlers. Dr. Greene, a nationally recognized pediatrician, states that 1 in 18 children under the age of three years will develop a food allergy. Soy is one of the top eight foods that cause 90 percent of all food allergy symptoms, according to the Baby Center. Soy is primarily introduced to a toddler when she is given a formula that contains soy. If your toddler was breastfed, you may not see any symptoms until she is given a food or beverage that contains soy. Soy is more prevalent than you may think. Allergic Child states that almost 60 percent of all processed foods contain soy proteins, which can cause an allergic reaction.
The Cause
As with any food allergy, your toddler experiences adverse reactions to soy because of a hypersensitive immune system. When the child eats or drinks something with soy protein, his body mistakes the proteins as a harmful substance. The body overreacts and forms immunoglobulin E, or IgE, antibodies that help fight off the soy proteins. The antibodies trigger mast cells to create histamine, a chemical that attempts to assist the antibodies in fighting off the proteins, according to the Baby Center.
Symptoms
Depending on the developmental stage of the toddler, her symptoms may be expressed differently. For example, digestive symptoms may cause a toddler who has difficulty talking to become fussy and cranky, while a toddler who can express herself in words may tell you, "my tummy hurts." Common soy allergy symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, coughing, nasal congestion, sneezing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hives, eczema and skin rashes, according to MayoClinic.com. Most symptoms will appear shortly after ingesting soy products.
Severe Symptoms
Allergic Child warns that soy allergies can cause a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, a serious entire-body allergic reaction that can cause the toddler's body to experience a state of shock. This condition can lead to death if not properly treated. Symptoms to be aware of are facial swelling, shortness of breath, bluish-colored skin, confusion, hives and appearing lethargic.
Treatment
The Baby Center states that there is no cure for food allergies in toddlers. The most effective way to treat and prevent a soy allergy is avoid all foods that contain soy by-products. Read the labels of all foods and beverages before giving them to your toddler. The government requires that all packaged foods clearly state on the label if they contains soy.
