Infant Soy Allergy: An Overview

Food allergies are by no means an uncommon occurrence.  Allergies can develop over time, or can start during infancy.  One of the most common early-developing allergies is an infant soy allergy, which is usually brought on by infant formulas that are soy-based when the mother chooses not to breastfeed her newborn infant.

What exactly is a food allergy? A food allergy is an unnneeded immune response to a food protein.  When the protein enters the body, the immune system mistakenly treats it like an invader.  It is then tagged with an antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which tells the immune system to send white blood cells out to kill the protein.  The consequent allergic reaction may physically manifest in many ways, ranging from minor discomforts to life-threatening conditions.

Common food allergies include tree nuts, dairy products, food additives, citrus fruits, wheat, eggs, and the previously-stated soy. Some of the signs and symptoms of a food allergy you may see could include:

• Hives
• Difficulty swallowing
• Nasal congestion
• Wheezing/shortness of breath
• Itching of mouth, lips, or face
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Many children who are diagnosed with an infant soy allergy grow out of it over time; others do not.  For those who grow up with the allergy or do acquire it later, there are ways to deal with it.  The most obvious way to deal with a soy allergy is to avoid foods with soy ingredients.  This, however, is not as easy as it sounds, because soy is found in a such a large variety of foods, some can include meat products, baked goods, chocolate, breakfast cereals and so very many more.  Those that have soy allergies must be vigilant and ask questions to know when certain food products have soy.  Visit our website for more information on soy allergies and allergen-free foods.

If you suspect that your child has a soy allergy, take him or her to your family doctor immediately.  Your doctor will be able to refer your child to an allergy specialist for some much needed testing.