Showing posts with label Soy Allergy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soy Allergy. Show all posts

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Prevention Of Soy Allergy

There is no sure way to prevent a food allergy from occurring. But if you have an infant, breast-feeding instead of using a soy-based or milk-based formula may help. Breastfeed for at least the first four months to reduce the risk of food allergies and for other health benefits.
If you know you're allergic to soy, the only sure way to avoid an allergic reaction is to avoid soy products. It's not always easy to know which foods contain soy, however, and it's a commonly used ingredient in many foods.
Try to learn as much as you can about what you're eating and drinking. Be sure to read food labels carefully. Because soybeans and peanuts contain common allergy-causing components, you may also need to avoid peanuts as well. Some processed soy foods, such as soy oil or soy sauce, may not cause a reaction because processing removes certain allergy-causing proteins.
Soy milk, edamame, tofu and other soy products have become more popular because of their apparent health benefits. Soy may be called any of the following on a product label:
  • Soy
  • Soya
  • Soybeans
  • Glycine max
  • Edamame
But soy is also a common ingredient in other food products, and it's not always easy to know if a product contains soy. It's used in meat products and meat substitutes, baked goods, candies, ice creams and desserts, condiments, butter substitutes, and in other foods.
Products with soy as a main ingredient
  • Tofu
  • Miso
  • Natto
  • Tempeh
Hidden sources of soy products
  • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)
  • Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
  • Lecithin
  • Monodiglyceride
  • Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
  • Vegetable oil
  • Vitamin E
Also, check for the statement "contains soy" on the product label.

Treatment Of Soy Allergy

The only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid soy and soy protein.

Medications such as antihistamines, may reduce the signs and symptoms of soy allergy. These drugs can be taken after exposure to soy to control your reaction and help relieve discomfort. Some antihistamines over-the-counter include: diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, others), cetirizine (Zyrtec, others) and loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, others).

Despite their efforts, you can always come into contact with soy. If you have a severe allergic reaction, you may need an emergency injection of adrenaline and a trip to the emergency room. If you are at risk for a severe reaction, you may need to carry injectable epinephrine (EpiPen or EpiPen Jr as) with you at all times. Ask your doctor, so you're sure you know how and when to use epinephrine devices.

Symptoms Of Soy Allergy

For most people, allergy to soy is uncomfortable but not serious. Rarely, an allergic reaction to soy can be frightening and even life threatening. Signs and symptoms of food allergy usually develop within minutes to hours after eating food containing soy.

Symptoms of soy allergy can include:

Tingling in the mouth

Hives, itching or itching, scaly skin (eczema)

Swelling of the lips, tongue and throat or other body parts

Nose wheezing, runny nose or shortness of breath

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting

Redness of the skin (redness)

A severe allergic reaction to soy - called anaphylaxis - is rare. And 'more likely in people with asthma or are allergic to other foods such as nuts. Anaphylaxis causes more extreme symptoms such as:

Construction Airways methods, such as swollen and painful throat with a piece that is difficult to breathe

Shock, with a significant drop in blood pressure

Rapid pulse

Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness

Soy allergy in infants often begins the introduction of soy-based formula. Soy allergy can develop after a child has moved from soy-based formula after an allergic reaction to milk-based formula.

When to seek medical advice

See your family doctor or a doctor who specializes in the treatment of allergies (allergist) In the case of food allergy symptoms shortly after eating. If possible, contact your doctor, as an allergic reaction.

Seek emergency treatment if signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as:

Constriction of the airways making it difficult to breathe

Shock, with a significant drop in blood pressure

Rapid, weak pulse

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Drool with an inability to swallow

Difficulty breathing

Full body, redness and warmth (flushing)

Causes Of Soy Allergy

All food allergies are caused by an immune system response. The immune system identifies certain soy proteins as harmful, triggering the production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) compared to soy protein (allergen). The next time you come into contact with soy, IgE antibodies that recognize the signal and the immune system to release histamine and other chemicals in the blood.

Body chemicals cause a variety histamine and other allergic symptoms. Histamine is partly responsible for most allergic reactions, including runny nose, itchy, dry throat, rashes and hives, nausea, diarrhea, difficulty breathing and even anaphylactic shock.

Soy Allergy Overview

SOY ALLERGY

Soy, soy products is a common food that can cause allergic reactions. In many cases soy allergy starts a reaction to soy-based infant formula. Although most children eventually replace the soy allergy, soy allergy may persist into adulthood.

Often the signs and symptoms of soy allergy are mild, such as hives, or itching in the mouth. In rare cases, can cause life-threatening allergy soy allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).

If you or your child has a reaction to soy, tell your doctor. Tests can help confirm the allergy soy. If you have an allergy soy, you should avoid products that contain soy. This can be difficult, however, because the soybean is common in many foods such as meat, baked goods, chocolate and breakfast cereals.