You are probably eating products that contain soy and don't even know it. Soy is used in processed meats, baked goods and many desserts. People who are allergic to soy need to avoid consuming all products that contain soy proteins. If you think you may be allergic, the best resources are your doctor, an allergist and your own active modification your diet. Eating soy if you're allergic to it can lead to life-threatening complications. Your doctor will be able to direct you to appropriate people for identification and testing.
Cause
A soy allergy is different from soy intolerance. If you're intolerant, your digestive system cannot fully break down the proteins found in soy. A soy allergy on the other hand is a reaction of the immune system. The proteins from soy products are not identified by your immune as safe, which results in an overreaction of the immune system. This overreaction causes the body to defend itself with immunoglobulin E and histamine, two chemicals that cause most of the symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com.
Identification
Before you can effectively treat a soy allergy, you need to confirm that you're allergic to soy through symptoms and testing. Common symptoms from a soy allergy include abdominal pain, wheezing, tingling, hives, eczema, fainting, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath and anaphylactic shock, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Allergy tests include a skin prick test and a blood test that uses a sample of your blood.
Avoidance
Avoiding soy is difficult because it is widely used in many unexpected products. Avoid the following ingredients and products: soya, soy nuts, soy sprouts, soy milk, soybeans, soy protein, hydrolyzed soy protein, edamame, miso, tamari, tempeh, natto and tofu. Many Asian dishes contain soy protein hidden in flavoring, vegetable gum and certain starches. The FDA requires that the use of soy is disclosed on the product's label. Soy lecithin and soybean oil may be safe for consumption even if you have a soy allergy, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Treatment
If you accidentally ingest soy protein, you may be able to treat and reduce symptoms by taking an oral antihistamine, according to MayoClinic.com. Moderate to severe allergic reactions to soy may not respond to an antihistamine, and you may need an emergency injection of epinephrine.
