Almost all food allergies are caused by the proteins found in the foods. Dairy and soy allergies are among the top eight foods that commonly cause an allergic reaction. The other foods include wheat, eggs, fish, shellfish, nuts and peanuts. Dairy and soy allergies are commonly confused with dairy and soy intolerances and need to be evaluated by a medical doctor for a proper diagnosis. An adverse reaction after consuming dairy and soy products does not mean you have an allergy. Talk with your doctor.
Dairy Allergy
A dairy allergy is typically first detected during infancy when a baby is given a milk-based formula. Breast milk will not cause an allergic reaction because the proteins in breast milk are different from cow's milk. Cow's milk proteins mainly consist of whey and casein proteins. Whey is the portion of the milk that remains liquid after it curdles. Casein proteins make up about 80 percent of cow's milk and forms into hard curd that is used to make cheeses. If you're allergic to dairy, you will develop symptoms within a few minutes after ingesting dairy products.
Soy Allergy
Soy allergies are common in childhood, but they are becoming more common in adulthood. During a soy allergic reaction, the immune system identifies the proteins in the soy as a harmful substance, although the soy is safe for human consumption. The body builds up a resistance to the soy proteins and attacks them with histamine and immunoglobulin E, or IgE, antibodies. These chemicals cause common soy allergy symptoms, such as nasal congestion, asthma, skin rashes and digestive complications.
Consideration
Dairy and soy intolerances are more common than an allergy toward these foods. Food intolerances are confused with food allergies because they cause unpleasant digestive symptoms within a few minutes after eating soy or milk products. The main difference between the two conditions is the cause. Food protein allergies are a hypersensitivity of the immune system, while food intolerances are caused by the inability of the digestive system to digest sugars or proteins in the food properly.
Complication
The most common complication from a soy, milk or other food protein allergies is anaphylactic shock. Anaphylactic shock occurs when your entire body experiences a state of shock, causing a drop in blood pressure, an increased heart rate and the inability to breathe normally. This condition can lead to death if not properly treated. Call 911 if you suspect you're having a severe allergic reaction.
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