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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffSoy, a product of soybeans, is one of the common foods that can cause allergies in children. In many cases soy allergy starts with a reaction to a soy-based infant formula. Although most children outgrow soy allergy by age 3, soy allergy may persist and is becoming more common in adults.
In most cases signs and symptoms of soy allergy are mild. In rare cases, soy allergy can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). You can reduce your risk of having an allergic reaction to soy by knowing as much as you can about soy allergy and how to avoid soy-containing products.
If you or your child has a reaction to soy, tell your doctor about it, no matter how mild the reaction may have been. Tests can help confirm a soy allergy, so you can take steps to avoid future and potentially worse reactions.
- Atkins D. Food allergy: Diagnosis and management. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35:119.
- Sampson HA, et al. Adverse reactions to foods. In: Adkinson NF, et al. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/129272040-4/824208035/1806/69.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00065-6--s0290_2209. Accessed March 31, 2009.
- Schwartz LB. Systemic anaphylaxis, food allergy and insect sting allergy. In: Goldman L, et al., eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/129272040-5/824210429/1492/978.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50279-2_12464. Accessed March 31, 2009.
- Keet CA, et al. Food allergy and anaphylaxis. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. 2007;27:193.
- Soy allergy. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. https://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=20&cont=522. Accessed March 31, 2009.
- Sicherer SH, et al. Maternal and infant diets for prevention of allergic diseases: Understanding menu changes in 2008. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2008;122:29.
- Rank MA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 6, 2009.
