Are you allergic to soy? Everything about soy allergy is simple!

Sometimes the food we eat doesn't touch our bodies, right? That's what soy allergy is. Soy is found in many foods, especially Asian foods, as well as some foods that are considered healthy. So, have you ever had any discomfort or problems with your body after eating soy? If so, this article will be very important for you. Let's talk about this in detail.

What is Soy Allergy?

Simply put, a soy allergy is a food allergy. This means that when you eat or drink something that contains soy, your body's immune system suddenly overreacts. For most people, soy is harmless and nutritious. But if you have a soy allergy, your body's immune system sees the protein in soy as if it were a disease-causing bacteria or virus, a "dangerous invader."

Don't take this lightly. Sometimes, a soy allergy can be life-threatening. If you experience severe allergic symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or a swollen throat, you should immediately go to the emergency room of your nearest hospital or call 911.

Who is most likely to get this?

Soy allergy can affect people of any age. However, it most often affects infants and young children. If you have other food allergies, you are more likely to develop a soy allergy.

The good news is that most young children outgrow this soy allergy as they get older. So if a baby has this, don't worry, talk to a doctor.

Can a soy allergy develop later?

Yes, absolutely. A soy allergy can develop at any age. Even a soy-containing food that you previously ate without any problems can suddenly cause an allergic reaction. Imagine, you could have been eating food with soy sauce for years, but one day, you might suddenly have a reaction.

How common is this?

As we mentioned earlier, this is most common in infants and young children. According to surveys conducted in the United States, approximately 0.4% of infants have soy allergies. This condition may also be present in Sri Lanka to a greater or lesser extent.

How does a soy allergy affect the body?

If you have a soy allergy, your body is having an allergic reaction. This is your body's response to the allergen. With a soy allergy, your body will have two main types of reactions:

1. Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated reaction

If you have a soy allergy, after you first ingest soy, your body makes a type of antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). This IgE is a special type of antibody that your immune system makes. The body makes different types of IgE, each of which targets specific allergens.

IgE reactions occur very quickly , within minutes of eating soy. These reactions can include a severe condition called anaphylaxis . This is a very severe allergic reaction and can even be fatal. Therefore, you need to be very careful about this.

2. Non-IgE-mediated reaction

These reactions also involve your immune system, but `IgE` antibodies are not involved. Your body's response to soy occurs more slowly than an `IgE` reaction. It can take up to 48 hours for these symptoms to appear.

Most `Non-IgE` food allergies, including soy, are not life-threatening. However, soy is the leading cause of these `Non-IgE` reactions in young babies.

These reactions can lead to conditions like soy protein intolerance or eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). EoE is inflammation of your esophagus (the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach).

What are the symptoms of this?

Symptoms of a soy allergy can vary from person to person. Some people may experience very mild symptoms, while others may experience severe symptoms. The most common symptoms are:

• Hives: Red, itchy welts on the body.
• Stomach cramps.
• Bloating, indigestion.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Feeling of tightness in your throat.
• Cough.
• Itching: Itching on the body, mouth, and lips.
• Eczema: Dry, itchy patches of skin.
• Anaphylaxis: This is the most dangerous condition. The symptoms associated with this are:
• Difficulty breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Sudden drop in blood pressure
• Dizziness and confusion

Important: If you experience any of the symptoms of `anaphylaxis`, it is an emergency! Seek medical attention immediately.

Does a soy allergy cause stomach problems?

Yes, absolutely. A soy allergy can cause stomach upset, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. However, these same symptoms can also occur with a condition called soy intolerance. There is a difference between the two, which we will discuss later.

Does soy cause inflammation?

Some studies suggest that eating a lot of soy can cause inflammation in the body. However, there is not enough research to say for sure whether soy actually causes inflammation.

Why does this soy allergy occur?

The main reason for this is the proteins contained in soy. These proteins are what cause your immune system to overreact.

Is this contagious?

No. Soy allergy is not a contagious disease. You cannot catch it from someone else, nor can you spread it to someone else.

How do you recognize this exactly?

If you suspect you have a soy allergy, the best way to confirm it is to see an allergist . He or she can run a variety of tests to determine your exact condition.

Before the doctor examines you, they may ask you questions like:

• Does anyone in your family have food allergies?
• Have you been diagnosed with any other food allergies before?
• What are your symptoms?
• Do you use any over-the-counter (OTC) medications for these symptoms?
• When did you start experiencing these symptoms?
• Do you keep a food journal? (This is very important!)

What kind of tests are done?

Depending on your symptoms, your allergist may perform various tests. Some of them include:

1. Blood Test:

This involves taking a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm (just like you would for a regular blood test). The blood sample is then sent to a lab. At the lab, they add soy protein to your blood sample and measure the level of `IgE` antibodies in it. It can take up to a week for the results to come back.

2. Skin Prick Test:

This test involves exposing your body to small amounts of soy protein.

First, the doctor will clean a small area of ​​your skin (usually the back of your hand or upper back) with something like alcohol.

Then, a drop of liquid containing soy protein is gently applied to the surface of your skin with a thin needle (lancet). The needle does not penetrate the skin, it feels like a slight tickle, and there is no bleeding.

Some doctors do this another way. They put a drop of soy protein liquid on the skin and make a slow incision through it. Then the liquid is absorbed into the skin.

After doing this, you wait about 15 minutes. After that, the doctor checks and measures the area where the soy was applied and the area where the controls were applied to see if they are red or swollen.

This `Skin Prick Test` can be completed in less than an hour.

3. Graded Oral Food Challenge:

To confirm a food allergy, your doctor may recommend an oral food challenge. This may be necessary, especially if there is a discrepancy between your family history of allergies and the results of other tests.

What happens in this is, under the supervision of a doctor, you are gradually introduced to foods containing soy. After that, the doctor watches how your body reacts. The amount of soy you are given is gradually increased.

This test can take about four hours, so you need to set aside time for this.

What are the treatments for soy allergy?

If you have a soy allergy, the only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to completely avoid eating, drinking, and using anything that contains soy. In countries like the United States, it is mandatory for packaged foods to list the ingredients on the label, including if they contain soy. In Sri Lanka, this is often the case, so read the label carefully before buying.

As someone with a soy allergy, you should also consider other ways you might be exposed:

• Non-food items: Some candles, crayons, cleaning products, pet food, synthetic fabrics, and some makeup and toiletries may also contain soy. However, these non-food items may not be subject to the same labeling rules. If you are unsure about what is in an item, check the manufacturer's website or call their customer service for a full list of ingredients.
• Shared equipment: Some foods may be prepared using the same equipment that is used to prepare other foods containing soy. Be aware of labels that say things like "Made on equipment shared with soy."

What kind of food and drinks should be eliminated?

There are many foods and drinks that contain soy. Some of them are:

• All forms of soy, including soy flour, soy fiber, soy albumin, and soy chunks.
• Non-dairy soy-based products such as soy milk, soy ice cream, soy cheese, soy yogurt.
• Soybean (Soybean - pods and seeds).
• Soy protein (Soy protein - concentrate, isolate, hydrolyzed).
• Soy nuts and soy sprouts.
• Soy sauce.
• Tofu and `Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)`.
• `Edamame`.
• `Miso`.
• `Natto`.
• `Tempeh`.
• `Tamari`.
• `Hoisin` sauce.

And also,Also be aware of foods that contain natural and artificial flavoring, vegetable broth, vegetable gum, and vegetable starch. These may often contain soy protein.

If it contains things like ``Hydrolyzed plant protein``, ``Hydrolyzed vegetable protein``, protein extender, and protein filler, it may also contain soy protein.

Some vodkas and nut butters may also contain soy, so be aware of that too. It's best to read the label!

Can I eat soy lecithin or soybean oil?

Studies show that most people with soy allergies can safely eat foods containing soy lecithin and soybean oil. However, the soybean oil should not be `cold-pressed`, `expeller-pressed`, or `extruded`. It is a good idea to talk to your doctor about this as well.

What medicine is used for this?

If you have a soy allergy, your doctor will prescribe an ``Epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen®)`` . ``Epinephrine`` is a medicine that quickly reverses the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as ``anaphylaxis.`` Your doctor will explain how and when to use this device. You should keep this ``EpiPen®`` with you at all times.

However, people with soy intolerance or a non-IgE soy allergy do not need epinephrine.

Does Epinephrine have side effects?

The following side effects may occur after an epinephrine injection:

• Anxiety.
• Dizziness.
• Dry mouth.
• Headache .
• Increased sweating.
• Nausea.
• Fatigue - weakness or tiredness.

Even if these symptoms occur, they are usually minor and go away quickly.

How quickly will I recover after taking the medicine?

An epinephrine injection starts working as soon as it is given, meaning that severe symptoms are controlled quickly.

How do you prevent an allergic reaction to soy?

The best and only way to do this is to completely avoid soy-containing foods, drinks, and other products.

Read the ingredients label on all packaged foods carefully. If you are unsure whether something contains soy, it is wise to avoid using it until you can confirm with the manufacturer. Be extra careful when eating out. Tell the food handlers that you have a soy allergy.

What to expect when living with a soy allergy?

Living with a soy allergy can be challenging. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and you can't predict how your body will react. But, with care, you can live a full, satisfying life. Your doctor can recommend resources, support groups, and dietitians to help you plan your daily meals.

Babies and young children are more likely to develop a soy allergy than adults. Most children outgrow this soy allergy by the age of 10.

When should I see a doctor?

If you are experiencing frequent soy allergy symptoms, or if you notice that these symptoms occur after eating soy, be sure to see a doctor.

When should I go to the ER (Emergency Room)?

If you start to experience symptoms of ``Anaphylaxis`` (such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, dizziness), go to the emergency room immediately or call 1990. Don't waste time.

What questions should I ask the doctor?

When you see a doctor, you can ask questions like these:

• How can you tell for sure if I have a soy allergy?
• What medication do you recommend?
• What is the full list of side effects of the allergy medications you recommend?
• When can I introduce soy to my child? (For a child)
• Will my child's soy allergy go away as he gets older?
• Are there support groups for people with soy allergies or for parents of such children?
• Can you recommend a nutritionist?

What is the difference between soy allergy and soy intolerance?

Many people confuse these two.

• Soy Allergy: This is when your immune system overreacts to soy proteins. This can cause symptoms like vomiting, stomach cramps, indigestion, diarrhea, and in the most severe cases, it can even lead to life-threatening conditions like anaphylaxis.
• Soy Intolerance: This is when your digestive system can't properly digest soy. When you eat soy, you may experience symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, and stomach pain. This isn't as serious as an allergy, but it can be uncomfortable.

Don't worry about what symptoms you're experiencing and why. Your doctor can help you with that. He or she can run tests to confirm whether you have a soy allergy and prescribe medication if necessary. He or she can also refer you to a nutritionist who can advise you on what foods to eat and what to avoid.

Take-Home Message

So, soy allergy is something to be careful about. But if you are properly informed and pay a little attention to what you eat and drink, it is not impossible to live with it normally. The most important thing is to read labels and avoid suspicious things. If you or your child has any of these symptoms, definitely see a doctor and get advice. Then you can stay healthy and worry-free. Remember, if severe symptoms occur, you should seek medical help immediately.

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