A soy allergy causes soft tissues throughout the body to become inflamed and irritated, which can lead to mucus production. Soft tissue in the sinuses and the lungs is lined with mucus membranes that help keep those parts of the body moistened. When the soft tissue is irritated, it can cause the mucus membranes to over-produce, leading to congestion. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network states that it is difficult to avoid soy because it is widely used in processed foods. If you accidentally ingest soy, you can develop unpleasant symptoms that need to be assessed by a doctor.
Soy Allergy
Soy is a common food that causes an allergic reaction. Soy is a by-product of soy beans that causes an overreaction of the immune system. The proteins in the soy are mistaken by your immune system as a dangerous substance, which causes the body to defend itself. Chemicals are created to help defend the body from the soy proteins. The two most common chemicals that cause allergy symptoms include histamine and immunoglobulin E, or IgE, antibodies. Soy allergies are incurable but are treatable with diet modification.
Nasal Congestion
The most common place your body will increase mucus production is in the sinus cavity. The sinuses are made of soft tissue that is sensitive to any irritation. The production of histamine in the sinuses causes inflammation and swelling of the nasal passages and the production of mucus. This leads to nasal congestion, trapping the excess mucus in the sinuses, according to MedlinePlus. Nasal congestion can lead to sinus pressure, sinus headaches and facial tenderness. Nasal congestion that goes untreated can lead to a sinus infection.
Lung Congestion
Asthma-like symptoms are common with a soy allergy, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The lungs become inflamed and produce more mucus, restricting your ability to breathe normally. You may become short of breath, have difficulty breathing or become dizzy or faint. Wheezing, chest tightness, chest pain and coughing can also occur as a result of congestion in the lungs from a soy allergy, according to MayoClinic.com.
Treatment
The most effective way to treat a soy allergy that causes mucus is to receive a clinical diagnosis of a soy allergy by participating in allergy testing. Once diagnosed, the Cleveland Clinic recommends avoiding all products that contain soy ingredients. Some products that contain soy may not be obvious, such as peanut butter, canned tuna fish and processed meats, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylactic Network.
