Soy disease, also known as a soy allergy, is a hypersensitivity of the immune system to the proteins found in soy products. Soy is made from soy beans, which contain about 15 proteins that could trigger an allergic reaction, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Soy is found in many processed and packaged foods, such as soy milk, soy flour, grits, soy oil and soy sauce. Each case of soy disease is unique and may cause different symptoms in different people. You need to be seen by a doctor if you suspect that you're allergic to soy.
Cause
Soy disease is caused by a malfunction of the immune system. Your immune system protects your body from illness, infection and disease by attacking foreign and potentially dangerous substances, such as bacteria and viruses. If you're diagnosed with soy disease, your immune system mistakes the proteins in the soy as dangerous, even though they are harmless, according to Mayo Clinic. The body defends itself by creating various chemicals that fight against the proteins. The release of these chemicals causes soy allergy symptoms throughout the body.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person, but will all be related to irritation and inflammation of soft tissue. Most symptoms develop within a few minutes after eating soy, but can take up to an hour before you notice any reactions. The Cleveland Clinic states that common symptoms of a soy allergy include: fainting, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, hives, eczema, tingling in the mouth, lips or throat, chest tightness, wheezing, abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. An extreme allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, can occur, which will require emergency medical attention.
Skin Itching
Common skin conditions that can develop from soy disease are hives and eczema. You may also develop a general itchy or inflammation around you lips, face or mouth after eating foods that contain soy. Hives are an itchy allergic skin reaction that can form anywhere on the body. They develop in clusters and appear as welts that form in various shapes. If you press on the welts, a white circle will form in the center. Eczema is a skin condition that can be triggered by a food allergy, such as soy. Eczema begins as small red bumps that form into blisters that can weep, crust over and cause your skin to become leathery.
Treatment
Treat itchy skin from soy disease by using steroid-based creams, such as hydrocortisone or corticosteroid lotions, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. An oral antihistamine can help block the production of histamine, reducing the skin irritation and inflammation.
Considerations
Soy disease is incurable and is only managed by diet modification. Your doctor will recommend that you avoid all forms of soy. Soy may be found in unlikely foods, such as ice cream, cracker, chocolate and cereals, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America states that some people may or may not react to soybean oil, because it doesn't contain proteins from soy beans. Talk with your doctor to determine which foods are safe for consumption.
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