What is a soy allergy?
A soy allergy is a type of food allergy. Your immune system overreacts to soy you’ve ingested (eaten or drunk). For many people, ingesting soy is harmless. However, if you have a soy allergy, your immune system views the protein in soy as a harmful “invader,” like a bacterium or virus.
A soy allergy can be deadly. If you have severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as trouble breathing or swelling in your throat, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room (ER) immediately.
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Who does a soy allergy affect?
A soy allergy can affect anyone of any age. However, infants and young children are more likely to have a soy allergy. You’re also more likely to have a soy allergy if you have other food allergies.
Many infants outgrow a soy allergy as they get older.
Can you develop a soy allergy?
Yes. A soy allergy can appear at any age. Certain foods or drinks you previously ingested without any problems can trigger an allergic reaction.
How common is a soy allergy?
Infants and young children are the most likely to have a soy allergy. Approximately 0.4% of infants in the U.S. are allergic to soy.
How does a soy allergy affect my body?
A soy allergy causes an allergic reaction in your body. An allergic reaction is your body’s response to an allergen. If you have a soy allergy, your body may have two different types of reactions:
Immunoglobulin E-mediated reaction
If you have a soy allergy, your body responds by creating immunoglobulin E (IgE) after your first exposure to soy. IgE is an antibody that your immune system makes. Your body makes many different types of IgE, which target specific kinds of allergens.
IgE reactions happen quickly after ingesting soy. Reactions may include anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction that may cause death.
Non-immunoglobulin E-mediated reaction
Non-IgE reactions may involve your immune system, but not your IgE antibodies. Your reaction to soy is slower than an IgE-mediated reaction. It may take up to 48 hours to develop.
Most non-IgE food allergies, including soy, aren’t life-threatening. However, soy is one of the most common triggers for a non-IgE reaction in infants.
Reactions may include soy protein intolerance, or eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). EoE causes inflammation in your esophagus, which is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach.
FAQs
Symptoms include stomach problems, cough, and itching. A severe soy allergy may cause anaphylaxis. An allergist can diagnose a soy allergy through tests. Treatment includes medications and avoiding products that contain soy.
How do you test for soy allergy? ›
There are several tests used to determine if a soy allergy is present. These tests include a skin prick test, a blood allergy test, food challenge test, or elimination diet. Your allergist can educate you on the best method to test for soy allergy. There is no cure for soy allergy.
How do you treat soy allergy symptoms? ›
Soy Allergy Management
Avoid products containing soy. This includes reading labels carefully. Always be prepared to treat an allergic reaction because reactions are unpredictable in severity and can occur anywhere. Epinephrine autoinjectors should be readily available to treat severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis .
How do I know if I am allergic to soya? ›
The signs of a soy allergy usually develop within a few minutes after consuming a soy-containing food or drink, but in some cases, the onset can take over an hour or two. The most common soy allergy symptoms can include: Oral itching or tingling in the mouth. Skin redness, rash, hives, itching sensation, or scaly skin.
What chemical causes soy allergy? ›
When someone with a soy allergy has something with soy in it, the body releases chemicals like histamine . This can cause symptoms such as: wheezing. trouble breathing.
Why am I suddenly intolerant to soy? ›
Soy Allergy Causes and Risk Factors
Allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to something. If you have a soy allergy, soy proteins trigger your immune system to react. This will happen anytime your immune system is exposed to this protein. Part of this reaction is a release of chemicals including histamines.
How long does it take for soy to get out of your system? ›
Milk and soy proteins must be eliminated from your diet. Be aware that it may take up to two weeks for the proteins already in your system to be eliminated.
How do you beat a soy allergy? ›
The only definitive treatment for a soy allergy is complete avoidance of soy and soy products. People with soy allergies and parents of children with soy allergies must read labels to familiarize themselves with ingredients that contain soy. You should also ask about ingredients in items served in restaurants.
What antihistamine is good for soy allergy? ›
Take a non-drowsy antihistamine, such as loratadine (Claritin), as your doctor recommends. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
What foods is soy hidden in? ›
Soy is sometimes found in the following:
Grains prepared with soy (e.g. cereals, breads, chips, crackers, pasta, rice, tortillas and rice) Vegetable gum. Vegetable starch.
Soy is among the eight most common foods inducing allergic reactions in children and adults. It has a prevalence of about 0.3% in the general population. Soy allergy is usually treated with an exclusion diet and vigilant avoidance of foods that may contain soy ingredients.
How to get tested for an allergy? ›
A GP may arrange some allergy tests or refer you to a specialist allergy clinic to have them. Tests you may have include: a skin prick or patch test – where a small amount of the allergen is put on your skin to see if it reacts. blood tests – to check for allergens that may be causing your symptoms.
How to test for soy allergy at home? ›
YorkTest makes it easy to test for a soy sensitivity from the convenience of your home. Using a simple finger-prick blood test kit, YorkTest's Premium Food Intolerance Test can detect soy intolerance, as well as sensitivity in various other foods.
What health problems can soy cause? ›
The most common side effects of soy are digestive upsets, such as constipation and diarrhea. Soy may alter thyroid function in people who are deficient in iodine. Current evidence indicates that it's safe for women who have had breast cancer or who are at risk for breast cancer to eat soy foods.
Why am I allergic to soy but not tofu? ›
On the other hands, patients with secondary soy allergy in adults, who have allergic reactions exclusively to soy milk, but not to tofu, are predominantly sensitized to Gly m 4 (PR-10), possibly due to the cross-reactive pollen allergens.
How do you know if you can't have soy? ›
To definitively diagnose a food allergy, your allergist may recommend a food challenge. This may be necessary if your family history of food allergies and testing don't match. During an oral challenge, you'll eat a small amount of soy. Your allergist will then observe you to see if a reaction develops.
Can I have soybean oil if allergic to soy? ›
There are clinical studies showing that people with a food allergy can eat highly refined oils. This is because highly refined oils contain extremely small levels of allergenic protein. However, people with soy allergy need to avoid any expeller pressed, extruded, or cold-pressed soy oil.
