Soy allergies are on the rise. This allergy is especially rising in children and infants. Why? One reason may be the fact that soy can be found in many infant formulas, cereals and is found in the production of over 60 percent of the processed foods today.

Soy is made from soy beans and can be found in a number of products such as: tofu, soy milk, flour, soy sauces, soy cheeses, vegetable oils, flours, cake mixes, doughnuts, pancakes, cookies, breaded foods, canned tuna, chewing gum, cooking sprays, margarine, vegetable shortening and oils, dressings, gravies, frozen desserts, lecithin (a food additive used to keep food from spoiling), monosodium glutamate (MSG), candy, chocolate, fudge, popcorn, potato chips, soups, broths, soup mixes, stews and mayonnaise to name a few. For a complete list, check out this website: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/allerg/allergen_soy-soja_e.html.

But soy can also be just as an additive for flavor in foods or as a meat substitute. When used as an additive, the soy is not always listed as an ingredient.

What can happen to a child who is allergic to soy? The first time the child ingests the soy, nothing will happen. The immune system of the child will mistakenly label the soy as being to the child’s body. Therefore, the next time the child eats a product that is made of soy, the immune system will begin producing antibodies. These antibodies are filled with a number of chemicals including histamines. Now the reaction will start.

How will the reaction begin? It depends on the child, the severity of the allergy, how much soy was ingested, and how many times soy has been ingested. With each attack symptoms can get worse.

Symptoms can include such things as: gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and vomiting; skin conditions such as itching, and dermatitis; respiratory problems such as an asthma attack or in severe cases anaphylactic shock

An allergy to soy will usually makes it appearance from infancy up to the age of three months, unless the child has only been breastfed. Sometimes children who are allergic to soy may grow out of this allergy by the age of two, yet caution should be used. Not all children will outgrow this allergy. Some of these children will have this allergy into adulthood. Therefore, if you suspect your child may have this allergy you should talk to a doctor or an allergist about his or her condition. An allergy test is the surest way to see if your child has outgrown the allergy.

Children and adults who are allergic to soy are also more prone to be allergic to products such as: peanuts, fish, eggs, wheat and barley. Therefore, if you know your child is allergic to soy, use caution when feeding him or her with other products as well.

If you are fearful that your child may be loosing some nutritional benefits because of its allergy to soy (soy is richly based in protein as well as many other essential vitamins and minerals), rest assured that there are plenty of other foods a child can eat, such as: poultry, cheese, whole grain breads, flax seeds, green leafy vegetables, orange juice, and almonds to name a few.

If your infant is allergic to both soy and cow’s milk and breastfeeding is not an option, there are some hypoallergenic formulas you can buy such as; Alimentum, Nutramingen, and Pregestimil. You may want to speak to your child’s doctor to recommend one.

Also be warned that soy is sometimes referred to by different names in the listing of ingredients for a product. Here are a few samples of other names for soy: Edamame, Tempeh, Miso, mono-diglyceride, Okara, Soya, Soyabeans, and Yuba, to name a few.

Yes, your child can still live a healthy and happy life with an allergy to soy. You just have to be more careful about what your child eats.

- Linda McCloud

Share This Story: