Soy Allergen Methods

Soy is one of the more common food allergies. People who suffer food allergies are allergic to soy, and soy is present in around 60 percent of processed foods as well as in many products served by fast food restaurants.

For a person allergic to soy, the body believes the protein found in soy to be harmful. As a result, the body creates antibodies which, when the person ingests soy, causes the creation of histamine that leads to many of the common symptoms of allergy: rash, trouble breathing and occasional death (anaphylaxis).

Living Soy-Free

• The only successful method of dealing with a soy allergy is to remove soy from your diet. Learn to read food labels. The FDA mandates that product labels disclose whether the product contains any amount of top allergens such as wheat and soy. In addition to the word, "soy," be wary of products listing these ingredients: Glycine max, Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), Lecithin, Miso, Mono-diglyceride, Monosodium glutamate (MSG), Natto, Tempeh, Tofu, Vegetable oil and Vitamin E. All of these generally imply the presence of soy.

  Studies show that most people allergic to soy may safely eat soybean oil or soy lecithin.

  If you're in doubt about a product, call the manufacturer.

  Along with always reading and understanding food labels, there are additional steps you should take to protect yourself or your children from soy allergens. If your child is allergic to soy, make sure she knows not to accept food from friends and classmates. Anytime you eat out, discuss with the waitstaff the presence of soy in their dishes. It's also a good idea to wear a medical bracelet listing soy as an allergy.

  Finally, talk to a doctor about ways to handle a reaction if one occurs. Antihistamine pills, or epinephrin injections, are two common treatments.