Soy Allergy

Soy Allergy
By Joe Marafioti

Soy allergy is an immune system response to soy. At least 16 potential soy protein allergens have been identified but their relative clinical significance is unknown.

About 0.5% of the population has soy allergy, that it is more common in infants: the average age at which the allergy manifests is 3 months but the majority of infants outgrow it by the age of two. Adults with soy allergy are rare.

The reported symptoms of soy allergy include: acne, angioedema, rhinitis, anaphylaxis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, bronchospasm, colitis, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea, dyspnea, eczema, enterocolitis, fever, hypotension, itching, laryngeal oedema, lethargy, urticaria, vomiting and wheezing.If soy allergy is suspected, soy should be completely removed from the diet for several days. Soy products can then be cautiously returned to the diet to see if symptoms return. Intolerence reactions can occur as long as 48 hours after ingestion of an offending substance.

The way soy is processed can affect allergenicity and many people allergic to soy are may also cross react to other foods, especially other legumes such as peas, peanuts, lentils and garbanzo beans.

Soy has a long history of use in managing cow's milk allergies in infants. However, up to 50% of children with cow milk allergy are also allergic to soy protein. In addition, both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the UKs Chief Medical Officer do not recommend soy products for use in infants due to concerns of phytoestrogens, in addition to their lack of hypoallergenic.

More information on Act Against Allergy

by AAA Editorial Board

Date of publication: 01/02/2006

Source: Soy Allergy site

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