If you have a arthritis, a soy allergy can cause further inflammation in your joints, leading to more pain, according to the Center for Food Allergies. Soy allergies are mostly found in young children, but MayoClinic.com reports that they are becoming increasing common among adults. Soy is a product of soybeans and is widely used in various processed foods. Soy can take on various names when it is listed in the ingredients on a packaged food. If you believe you're allergic to soy, talk with your physician.
Soy Allergy
A soy allergy is caused by hypersensitivity to one or more of the 15 proteins found in soybeans. If you are allergic to soy, when you ingest a product that contains soy, your immune system reacts to it as if it was a dangerous substance. This causes various chemicals in the body to attack the proteins. The most common chemicals associated with a soy allergy are histamine and immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, according to MayoClinic.com. Histamine is a hormone in the body that fights against infection but causes inflammation in soft tissues, according to MayoClinic.com. Increased histamine causes most symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as inflammation, runny nose and throat irritation. IgE is the initial chemical released that triggers the production of histamine.
Joint Pain
Any immune system reaction can aggravate your arthritis, according to the Center for Food Allergies. Your joints can become swollen, inflamed and irritated by these increased levels. Unlike other soy allergy symptoms, your arthritis may flare up a day or two after you've ingested soy. If you notice a significant difference in your arthritis after eating certain foods, consult your doctor.
Other Symptoms
If your arthritis is connected to a soy allergy, you may develop other symptoms, which may include wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, coughing, nasal congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip, skin rashes, eczema, hives, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Cleveland Clinic. These symptoms can develop within the first hour after you've consumed a soy product. In rare cases, a soy allergy can lead to anaphylactic shock, a rare but life-threatening condition.
Avoidance and Treatment
Avoiding the consumption of soy proteins is the most effective way to prevent an arthritis flare-up connected to a soy allergy, according to the Center for Food Allergies. Soy may be found in unlikely products, such as ice cream, ketchup and desserts. Always read product labels and avoid miso, natto, tempeh, edamame and vegetable proteins, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
