Soy is among the top foods that cause an allergic reaction. Most cases of a soy allergy are found in children under the age of three and is outgrown by adulthood. Adults may develop a soy allergy as well. Because various other conditions can cause similar symptoms to that of a soy allergy, your doctor may recommend soy allergy testing to confirm and diagnose the exact cause. Most food allergy tests include blood tests, skin prick tests and an elimination diet. Dietary modification should only be implemented under a doctor's supervision.
Soy Allergy Background
Soy is a by-product of soy beans that is commonly used in many processed foods and Asian cuisine. Many symptoms that develop are mild to moderate, with rare cases of sever allergic reaction, according to MayoClinic.com. Soy allergy symptoms may develop in the skin, in the digestive tract, the lungs or the nasal passages. Disclose any symptoms that develop after you eat soy products to your doctor. Symptoms are not enough to diagnose your condition. Your doctor may recommend allergy testing to confirm the food allergy.
Elimination Diet
One of the first methods a doctor will use to determine if soy is causes adverse reactions in your body is an elimination diet, according to AskDrSears.com. An elimination diet requires that you completely remove all soy form your diet for a few weeks. Slowly begin to introduce soy back into your diet in small portions. Each day you increase the amount of soy in your diet and keep track of how your body reacts to it. Your findings are discussed with your doctor for further evaluation.
Skin Test
A skin test is one of the most common types of tests performed to diagnose a soy allergy. The test is virtually painless, using a small amount of soy proteins that are injected under your skin. In some cases your doctor may use a patch that contains soy proteins instead of an injection. Most people develop signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction within 15 minutes with a skin test, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. If you're allergic to soy, your skin will become inflamed, red and swollen. If you test negative and your doctor suspects that you are allergic to soy, she may recommend a blood test.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are used to measure how your body reacts to soy proteins. A sample of your blood will be sued to determine if your blood creates immunoglobulin E, or IgE, antibodies after soy proteins are introduced. IgE antibodies are allergy-produced antibodies that are created to protect the body, although the proteins are harmless. Your blood is sent to a medical laboratory to be tested for an allergic sensitivity to soy proteins, according to MayoClinc.com.
