One of the common childhood allergies, soy allergy affects infants and children, whether they are nursing or are bottle-fed. Allergy-causing soy proteins can easily pass through the mother's milk into the baby or can affect the infant once solid foods are started. Soy is the main ingredient in tofu, soy bean paste, soy sauce and vegetable proteins. You also can find it in many goods, such as sausages, breads and cereals.
Symptoms in Breast-fed Babies
Symptoms of soy allergy in a breast-fed infant may initially appear as itchy red welts around the mouth upon contact with breast milk. If the breastfeeding mom continues to consume soy, the baby may develop eczema or infantile dermatitis, appearing as scaly, itchy patches of dry or weepy skin on the scalp, cheeks and neck. The baby may roll around irritably as he tries to relieve the itchy areas. Your infant also may suffer from colic, projectile vomiting or gas.
Diagnosis in Breast-fed Infants
A skin and/or blood test, performed at the allergist's clinic, will confirm soy allergy in your breast-feeding infant. In a skin test, the allergist aseptically scratches your baby's skin and drop a small amount of soy allergen on the surface. A red, itchy, raised welt on the pricked area indicates an allergy. A blood test measures the specific amount and type of soy allergen in your baby's immune system. The tests for diagnosing soy allergy do not differ for infants, older children or adults. However, the allergist may perform or repeat these tests when the infant is older for a more accurate diagnosis.
Preventing Soy Allergy
Avoiding soy products is the best prevention against allergic reactions to soy. If you are breastfeeding, avoid eating or drinking soy-based products such as soy milk, tofu, tempeh, Asian flavorings and other foods with soy ingredients so as not to pass the allergen through your milk. Read foods labels and ask for specific ingredients when purchasing or ordering foods to make sure no soy products are used. Do not give your baby soy-based infant formula. Do not expose him to places such as bakeries where soy flour may be present. Delay giving solid foods with soy until the allergist gives the go-ahead. Some children also may develop an allergy to cow's milk, so check with your pediatrician before giving your child cow's milk infant formula or solid foods with milk ingredients.
Treatment
If your child develops eczema, an antihistamine cream may provide relief against the itchiness. Also wrap your baby's hands in mittens to prevent him from scratching or breaking the skin. Severe allergic reactions to soy may require an emergency injection of epinephrine. Talk to your pediatrician about prescribing epinephrine for your baby. Call 911 if your baby suddenly develops severe allergies and if you gave an epinephrine injection.
References
- "The Parent's Guide To Food Allergy: Clear and Complete Advice from the Experts on Raising Your Food-Allergic Child "; Marianne Barber, et al.; 2001
- Children's Physician Network: Soy Allergy
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy: Food Allergy
