Soy is a common cause of food
allergy. Soy comes from soybeans, which are in the legume family (along with beans,
lentils, peas, and peanuts).
Some people are allergic to just one type of legume; others are allergic to more than
one.
When someone is allergic to soy, the body's immune
system, which normally fights infections, overreacts to proteins in soy. If the
person eats something made with soy, the body thinks these proteins are harmful invaders
and responds by working very hard to fight off the invader. This causes an allergic
reaction.
Allergy to soy is more common in infants and kids than teens and adults, but can
develop at any age.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Soy Allergy?
When someone with a soy allergy has something with soy in it, the body releases
chemicals like
. This can cause symptoms such as:
a drop in blood pressure, causing lightheadedness or loss of consciousness (passing
out)
Allergic reactions to soy can differ. Sometimes the same person can react differently
at different times. Most reactions to soy are mild and involve only one system of
the body, like hives on the skin. Other times the reaction can be more severe and
involve more than one part of the body.
Rarely, soy allergy can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis might start with some of the same symptoms as a less severe reaction,
but can quickly get worse. The person may have trouble breathing or pass out. More
than one part of the body might be involved. If it isn't treated, anaphylaxis can
be life-threatening.
How Is an Allergic Reaction to Soy Treated?
If your child has a soy allergy (or any kind of serious food allergy), the doctor
will want him or her to carry an epinephrine auto-injector in case
of an emergency.
An epinephrine auto-injector is a prescription medicine that comes in a small,
easy-to-carry container. It's easy to use. Your doctor will show you how. Kids who
are old enough can be taught how to give themselves the injection. If they carry the
epinephrine, it should be nearby, not left in a locker or in the nurse's office.
Wherever your child is, caregivers should always know where the epinephrine is,
have easy access to it, and know how to give the shot. Staff at your child's school
should know about the allergy and have an action plan in place. Your child's medicines
should be accessible at all times.
Every second counts in an allergic reaction. If your child starts
having serious allergic symptoms, like swelling of the mouth or throat or difficulty
breathing, give the epinephrine auto-injector right away. Also give it right away
if the symptoms involve two different parts of the body, like hives with vomiting.
Then call 911 and take your child to the emergency
room. Your child needs to be under medical supervision because even if the worst
seems to have passed, a second wave of serious symptoms can happen.
It's also a good idea to carry an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine for your
child, as this can help treat mild allergy symptoms. Use
after — not as a replacement for — the epinephrine shot during life-threatening
reactions.
What Else Should I Know?
If allergy testing
shows that your child has a soy allergy, the doctor will give you guidelines on keeping
your child safe. Your child may need to completely avoid products made with soy. This
can be tough as soy has become part of many foods. For information on foods to avoid,
check sites such as the Food Allergy Research
and Education network (FARE).
Always read food
labels to see if a food contains soy. Manufacturers of foods sold in the
United States must state whether foods contain any of the top eight most common allergens,
including soy. The label should list "soy" in the ingredient list or say
"Contains soy" after the list.
Some foods look OK from the ingredient list, but while being made they can come
in contact with soy. This is called cross-contamination. Look for
advisory statements such as "May contain soy," "Processed in a facility
that also processes soy," or "Manufactured on equipment also used for soy."
Not all companies label for cross-contamination, so if in doubt, call or email the
company to be sure.
When eating away from home, make sure you have an epinephrine auto-injector with
you and that it hasn't expired. Also, tell the people preparing or serving your child's
food about the soy allergy. Sometimes, you may want to bring food with you that you
know is safe. Don't eat at the restaurant if the chef, manager, or owner seems uncomfortable
with your request for a safe meal.
Also talk to the staff at school about cross-contamination risks for foods in the
cafeteria. It may be best to pack lunches at home so you can control what's in them.
Other things to keep in mind:
Make sure the epinephrine auto-injector is always on hand and that it is not expired.
Don't feed your child cooked foods you didn't make yourself or anything with unknown
ingredients.
Tell everyone who handles the food — from relatives to restaurant staff — that
your child has a soy allergy.
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