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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffFor most people, soy allergy is uncomfortable but not serious. Rarely, an allergic reaction to soy can be frightening and even life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of a food allergy usually develop within a few minutes to an hour after eating soy-containing food.
Soy allergy symptoms can include:
- Tingling in the mouth
- Hives, itching or eczema
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other parts of the body
- Wheezing, runny nose or trouble breathing
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
A severe allergic reaction to soy — called anaphylaxis — is rare. It's more likely to occur in people who have asthma or are also allergic to other foods such as peanuts. Anaphylaxis causes more extreme signs and symptoms including:
- Constriction of airways, including a swollen throat or a lump in your throat, that makes it difficult to breathe
- Shock, with a severe drop in blood pressure
- Rapid pulse
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness
Soy allergy in infants often begins with the introduction of a soy-based formula. In many cases, soy allergy develops when a child is switched to a soy-based formula after an allergic reaction to a milk-based formula.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor or allergist if you experience food allergy symptoms shortly after eating. If possible, see your doctor when the allergic reaction is occurring. This will aid in making a diagnosis.
Seek emergency treatment if you develop any signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as:
- Constriction of airways that makes it difficult to breathe
- Shock, with a severe drop in blood pressure
- Rapid, weak pulse
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Drooling with an inability to swallow
- Significant change in your voice quality
- Full-body redness and warmth (flushing)
- 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.
