Types Of Soy Allergy In Children

Symptoms Of Soy Allergy In Children

Depending upon the kind of allergy and the amount of consumption of the allergen, the signs, and symptoms may vary from mild to severe. Sometimes the same child can react differently under various circumstances. Some children may start showing signs of soy allergy within minutes of consuming a food item containing soy or while it may take a longer time in some before the signs of soy allergy shows up. Some of the most widely recognized signs of soy allergies are:

• Fever with blister
• Breathing difficulty
• Wheezing
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Conjunctivitis
• Stomach aches
• Hives
• Drops in blood pressure
• Mouth may have tingling sensation
• Redness in the skin
• Swollen lips or face

5 Types Of Soy Allergy In Children

There are no less than 15 proteins in soybeans that have been found to bring about allergic reactions. There are five common types of soy allergies found among children:

1. Soy milk allergy:

Some babies develop an allergy towards soy milk. Actually, about half kids affected by cow’s milk allergy are also allergic to soy. The best part about soy milk allergy is that it will resolve once the child turns around 3 years old

2. Soy lecithin allergy:

Soy Lecithin, a byproduct from soy, is one of the most widely used food additives on the market today and is non-toxic in nature. It is used in the production of foods that are in need of a natural emulsifier. Usually, it is used to increase the shelf life of some products. While frying certain foods, the oil splatters. This can be avoided with soy lecithin. Also, soy lecithin helps to avoid crystallization of sugar in chocolates. However, children who have soy allergy should steer clear of any food products that contain soy lecithin in them

3. Allergy To Soy protein:

Soy consists of at least 21 different proteins that bring about asthma-related allergic reactions

4. Soy oil allergy:

As compared to other things, soy oil is considered less allergic, as it contains low quantity of allergen proteins. It is very rare that children who consume fully refined soybean oil to show a severe allergic reaction. If the child belongs to that rare group, he or she will show the symptoms soon after having the food containing soy oil. So if your child is allergic to soy, it is advisable not to use soy oil for cooking food

5. Soy sauce allergy:

Sauce made from soy can trigger an allergic reaction like inflammation of mouth and dermatitis. Soy sauce also contains histamines, which can cause histamine poisoning among children. Therefore, avoid it if your child is allergic to soy

Anaphylaxis – A Life-Threatening Reaction

Very rarely, soy allergy in children can cause a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis. This usually begins with the same symptoms as a mild reaction, but can quickly worsen and lead to problems in children like breathing difficulties or the child may even pass out. If anaphylaxis is not treated, it can be life threatening.

Living With Soy Allergy

If your child has been diagnosed with soy allergy then you may need to completely avoid all the foods that contain any trace of soy in them. This can be a tough this to do as many processed foods have some amount of soy in them. If allergy testing shows that your child has a soy allergy, the doctor will provide guidelines on how to stay safe. So carefully read labels to check if the food contains soy before picking any packaged food from the shelves.

Precautions While Dealing With Soy Allergy In Children

Here are some precautions that you can take if your child is diagnosed with soy allergies:

• Avoid feeding your child food with unknown ingredients or something that you have not cooked
• When eating out make sure you mention to the restaurant staff or your relatives who prepare food that your child has soy allergy
• Try and make your child’s lunches and snacks at home only in order to have control over what you are feeding him
• Avoid going to restaurants if they reluctant about your request for a safe meal