Soy milk is obtained by soaking dry soybeans and grinding them in water. Soy milk has several nutritional benefits. It also has the same proportion of proteins compared to that of milk. However, soy is among the top 9 allergy-causing foods. Thus, soy milk can trigger allergies ranging from minor rashes to severe allergic symptoms. Soy milk allergy can be overcome by avoiding soy milk and soy products.
Soy milk allergy is caused due to the proteins present in the soy milk. Our immune system mistakenly identifies soy proteins as harmful and attacks them. This results in an allergic reaction.
Soy Milk Allergy Symptoms:
- Rashes
- Hives
- Redness
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
In rare cases, the symptoms can progress and become severe. Breathlessness, dizziness, low blood pressure — all these are signs of anaphylaxis. In such cases, epinephrine should be immediately administered.
Preventing Soy Milk Allergy:
- Avoid soy milk and switch to rice milk or other food
- Read the labels and avoid those products which contain soy ingredients
- Avoid other soy products such as soy fiber, soy nuts, and soy flour
- If the infant is allergic to soy milk, prefer only breastfeeding
Treating Soy Allergy:
Using antihistamines can help in treating the allergic reaction. Benadryl is an antihistamine which can help in treating the allergy. If the allergic reaction progresses and becomes severe, the patient might be suffering from anaphylaxis — a severe form of allergic reaction. In such cases, the patient should be administered epinephrine immediately.
If you suspect soy milk allergy, allergy testing is the first step you would have to take. Skin prick test and blood test (RAST) are the two tests which can help in determining if you have allergy. Do consult an allergist for this. Also, eliminate soy and soy products for overcoming soy milk allergy.
