Soy allergy can occur in both infants and adults. Soy-based formulas were introduced to replace cow milk formulas in allergic infants, but some of these children developed allergies to soy proteins. Part of the reason may be that two soy proteins (β-conglycinin and glycinin) show cross-reactivity with caseins from cow’s milk; these soy proteins were found to be diagnostic markers for the allergic reaction to soy [1]. A number of other proteins in soy extracts also contribute to allergic reactions. Allergy to proteins is not the only concern with soy products: possible hormonal effects of phytoestrogens in soy also have to be considered. Even though no developmental problems were observed in infants fed on soy milk [2], some workers advocate the lowering of phytoestrogen content of soy formulas.

In the US, the prevalence of soy protein allergy is 1.1 percent, a third of the value for cow’s milk allergy [3].

The most frequent presentation in infants is the recurrence of atopic dermatitis after a short reprieve following a switch from cow’s milk to soy formula. Gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea, vomiting) may also reappear. When allergy develops later in childhood or young adults, asthma and rhinitis are major manifestations [4]. Acute immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated effects have been observed with soy [5], but are less frequent than with cow’s milk. Food protein-induced enterocolitis (intensive vomiting and diarrhea) occurs frequently in patients with soy protein (and cow’s milk) allergies [6]. Other clinical consequences of soy allergy include allergic proctocolitis, constipation, and eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Anaphylaxis is infrequent. About half of children allergic to soy will outgrow the condition by the age of seven; low IgE levels are predictors of outgrowing soy allergy [7].

Patients with enterocolitis appear dehydrated and ill, whereas those with proctocolitis look quite healthy. Inflammation of the mucosa in the colon is common. Small bowel villous atrophy also occurs frequently and may result in malabsorption leading to hypoalbuminemia and deficiency in nutrients or vitamins.

• Asymptomatic

  Study populations include high-risk asymptomatic infants and patients with atopic symptoms, positive food challenges, and specific milk allergies. Generally, these studies show lower allergic reactivity for soy proteins vs. other food allergens. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Rigor

  The most rigorous test –the gold standard- is a challenge with the presumed allergen, performed under placebo-controlled conditions when both the patient and the healthcare provider are blinded to the content of the test material (double-blind placebo-controlled [symptoma.com]

  At foodintol we provide information from the medical journals - which is peer-reviewed and published only after rigorous examination. The clinical evidence - including this study - about soy protein allergy is as follows: 1). [foodintol.com]

  Infants with type I allergy to CMF are a rigorous test population for evaluating the allergenic reactivity of SF. [jn.nutrition.org]

• Vietnamese

  Soy is sometimes found in the following: Asian cuisine (including Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese)—even if you order a soy-free item, there is high risk of cross-contact Vegetable gum Vegetable starch Vegetable broth Some Unexpected Sources [foodallergy.org]

• Finger Pain

  Latest Posts Bio 8 Effective Tips To Relieve Finger Pain During Pregnancy - November 23, 2015 Top 5 Camel Crafts For Preschoolers And Young Kids - November 23, 2015 4 Interesting Winter Craft Ideas For Your Toddler - January 21, 2015 7 Simple Tips To [momjunction.com]

• Poor Growth

  These can include, bloody stools, vomiting, diarrhea and in severe cases weight loss or poor growth. Do children outgrow soy allergy? About 80% of children will have resolution of their soy allergy by school age. [swallergy.com]

• Labored Breathing

  Histamine is partly responsible for most allergic responses, including runny nose, itchy eyes, dry throat, rashes and hives, nausea, diarrhea, labored breathing, and even anaphylactic shock. [allergyaware.org]

• Nausea

  Histamine is partly responsible for most allergic responses, including runny nose, itchy eyes, dry throat, rashes and hives, nausea, diarrhea, labored breathing, and even anaphylactic shock. [allergyaware.org]

  The symptoms of food allergy may include any or several of the following: Itching Hives Eczema Tingling or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat Chest tightness, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing Wheezing Abdominal pain Nausea, vomiting, [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  […] symptoms may include: Acne and other skin conditions, like eczema Swelling Nasal congestion Asthma Canker sores or fever blisters Colitis and other gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea Conjunctivitis, or pink eye Fever, fatigue, weakness, and nausea [theallergykit.com]

  Allergic reactions are mediated by the immune system and are marked by symptoms such as hives, runny nose, rashes, nausea, diarrhea and, most seriously, anaphylactic shock. [drweil.com]

  These symptoms may include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, cramping, a runny nose, watery eyes, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, hives or skin rashes. [livestrong.com]

• Abdominal Pain

  Most common symptoms are swollen face and throat, hives, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure. First aid should be an adrenaline injection. [breastfeedingquest.com]

  The symptoms of food allergy may include any or several of the following: Itching Hives Eczema Tingling or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat Chest tightness, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing Wheezing Abdominal pain Nausea, vomiting, [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  Soy allergy symptoms may include: Skin reactions including hives and eczema Skin redness Tingling in mouth Swollen lips, face, tongue, throat, or other body part Runny nose and wheezing Abdominal pain Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting Fever In rare cases, [jaxallergy.com]

  Symptoms of a soy allergy can include: Tingling in the mouth Hives, itching or eczema Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat, or other parts of the body Canker sores Wheezing, runny nose or trouble breathing Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or [allergyaware.org]

• Cyanosis

  The former can be indicated by wheezing, a blocked airway and cyanosis, the latter by weak pulse, pale skin, and fainting. When these symptoms occur the allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. [en.wikipedia.org]

• Back Pain

  Symptoms include: Headache Grogginess, impaired awareness Stiff neck or other muscles Back pain, body soreness Diarrhea Nausea Tiredness The Journal Method will correctly identify whether soy is your particular problem - or some other food intolerance [foodintol.com]

• Eczema

  The atopic patch test does show clinical relevance for the implication of food allergy in eczema and in constipation. [symptoma.com]

  Dietary antigen avoidance by lactating mothers of infants with atopic eczema may reduce the severity of the eczema, but larger trials are needed. [doi.org]

  The symptoms of food allergy may include any or several of the following: Itching Hives Eczema Tingling or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat Chest tightness, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing Wheezing Abdominal pain Nausea, vomiting, [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  Soy allergy symptoms may include: Acne and other skin conditions, like eczema Swelling Nasal congestion Asthma Canker sores or fever blisters Colitis and other gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea Conjunctivitis, or pink eye Fever, fatigue, weakness [theallergykit.com]

  Symptoms of soy allergy The reported symptoms of soy allergy include: acne, angioedema, rhinitis, anaphylaxis, asthma, atopic dermatitis, bronchospasm, colitis, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, diffuse small bowel disease, dyspnea, eczema, enterocolitis, fever [soya.be]

• Papular Rash

  CASE PRESENTATION: An 11-year-old Caucasian girl was referred to our Allergy Unit because of the delayed appearance of an itching papular rash at the site of an injection of benzathine benzylpenicillin delivered by prefilled syringe. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Skin Patch

  If the skin patch turns red and irritated, the patient is suffering from soy allergy symptoms. [soyallergysymptoms.com]

• Headache

  It's great to get actual proof - because then you know for life - and can avoid all those awful foggy days of headache and illness. Soy is now contained in thousands of processed fods and can be difficult to avoid without assistance. [foodintol.com]

  Soy intolerance may cause headaches in susceptible people. Headaches may be mild and occur soon after eating soy. [livestrong.com]

  People infected with the seasonal flu virus feel miserable with fever, chills, muscle aches, coughing, congestion, headache and fatigue for a week or so. [niaid.nih.gov]

The diagnosis of soy intolerance is not straightforward. Problems arise due to difficulties in evaluating tests, because of cross-reactivity between soy proteins and other plant proteins, and due to lack of correspondence between levels of IgE and clinical symptoms [8]. Other tests, (such as skin tests, radioallergosorbent assay tests, or skin prick tests) also fail to show high prognostic value for food allergies. The atopic patch test does show clinical relevance for the implication of food allergy in eczema and in constipation [9] [10].

Because allergy tests are sensitive but lack specificity and therefore show false positive results, the testing has to be directed by the patient's history. The most rigorous test –the gold standard- is a challenge with the presumed allergen, performed under placebo-controlled conditions when both the patient and the healthcare provider are blinded to the content of the test material (double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge). This procedure carries the risk of a serious allergic reaction.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy are sometimes used to identify pathological changes, such as eosinophil infiltration or villous atrophy in the mucosa. The results obtained with these procedures are mostly non-specific to soy allergy.

• Candida

  This sets the stage for food allergies, candida and other illness and disease. The Body Ecology Diet was written by Donna Gates as a way to teach natural ways to help your body recover from food allergies, candida and low immunity. [bodyecology.com]

• Alternaria

  SPT results for the various allergens were as follows: house dust mite, 11.9%; grass, 7.9%; Alternaria, 4.8%; milk, 1.4%; and peanut, 1.2%. The lowest sensitization rate was for soy at 0.25%. Food allergen reaction thresholds. [jn.nutrition.org]

1. Holzhauser T, Wackermann O, Ballmer-Weber BK, et al. Soybean (Glycine max) allergy in Europe: Gly m 5 (beta-conglycinin) and Gly m 6 (glycinin) are potential diagnostic markers for severe allergic reactions to soy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;123(2):452-458.
2. Andres A, Cleves MA, Bellando JB, Pivik RT, Casey PH, Badger TM. Developmental status of 1-year-old infants fed breast milk, cow's milk formula, or soy formula. Pediatrics. 2012;129(6):1134-1140.
3. Johnstone DE, Roghmann KJ, Pless IB. Factors associated with the development of asthma and hay fever in children: the possible risks of hospitalization, surgery, and anesthesia. Pediatrics. 1975;56(3):398-403.
4. Ballmer-Weber BK, Holzhauser T, Scibilia J, et al. Clinical characteristics of soybean allergy in Europe: a double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;119(6):1489-1496.
5. Mittag D, Vieths S, Vogel L, et al. Soybean allergy in patients allergic to birch pollen: clinical investigation and molecular characterization of allergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004;113(1):148-154.
6. Sicherer SH, Eigenmann PA, Sampson HA. Clinical features of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome. J Pediatr. 1998;133(2):214-219.
7. Savage JH, Kaeding AJ, Matsui EC, Wood RA. The natural history of soy allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010;125(3):683-686.
8. Magnolfi CF, Zani G, Lacava L, Patria MF, Bardare M. Soy allergy in atopic children. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1996;77(3):197-201.
9. Cudowska B, Kaczmarski M. Atopy patch test in the diagnosis of food allergy in children with atopic eczema dermatitis syndrome. Rocz Akad Med Bialymst. 2005;50:261-267.
10. Syrigou EI, Pitsios C, Panagiotou I, et al. Food allergy-related paediatric constipation: the usefulness of atopy patch test. Eur J Pediatr. 2011;170(9):1173-1178.