About Allergies: Are You Allergic to Soy?

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Allergies Allergies Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies Soy allergy is one of the most common types of food allergies, especially in children. Soy allergy can persist in adulthood, and can cause a variety of allergy symptoms, including eczema, hives, and even anaphylaxis. Many people with soy allergy can also have positive allergy tests to other related legumes, including peanut, beans and peas -- but are these true allergies? Soy avoidance can be quite difficult, since soy is in many packaged and prepared foods. Learn all about soy allergy, including how the diagnosis is made, the symptoms that soy allergy can cause, other foods that might be involved, and how to avoid soy in common foods. Everything About Soy Allergy Soybeans are a member of the legume family, which includes other foods such as peanuts, beans and peas. Soybeans are commonly used in the commercial processing of foods, since they provide a low-cost, high-quality form of protein that is widely available. Soy protein is therefore commonly encountered in daily life, with children being exposed at a young age. Soy protein is a common substitute for milk protein in infant formulas, and is often touted as "gentler" for the gastrointestinal tract of babies. See More About:  food allergy  allergy testing  peanut allergy Soy Allergy and Other Legumes While soybeans share similar proteins with other legumes (such as peanuts, peas, beans and lentils), most people with peanut allergy can eat other legumes. However, many people are told to avoid all legumes because allergy tests often show positive results to more than one legume. This is a result of cross-sensitization, meaning that the similar proteins found in legumes bind to the same allergic antibodies directed against soy proteins. However, many studies show that true cross-reactivity among various legumes, meaning that allergic reactions actually occur in soy-allergic people when other legumes are eaten, is only about 5%. See More About:  peanut allergy  food allergy  Follow a Soy-Free Diet Have you been diagnosed as having a soy allergy? Are you confused as to which foods you need to avoid? Learn all about the foods you should avoid if you have a soy allergy. See More About:  food allergies  skin testing  allergist Allergies Ads Allergies Food Allergy Milk Children Allergy Soy Allergy Food Allergies Dairy Featured Articles Drug and Latex Allergies Insect Allergies Anaphylaxis Allergy Shots and Drops (Immunotherapy) Alternative Therapies in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergies Glossary of Terms   More from About.com Should You Go Back to School? Have you been thinking about resuming your education? These eight questions may help you figure it out. More> 5 Tips for Adult Students Whether it's finding the money or worrying about tests, going back to school can be stressful for adult students. More> This newsletter is written by: Daniel More, MD Allergies Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Allergies newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Must Reads What are Allergies? Symptoms of Allergies Diagnosis of Allergies Treatment of Allergies Preventing Allergies Advertisement