Soya Allergy

There are two types of soya allergy: “IgE mediated” soya allergy, caused by antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (or IgE), and “non-IgE mediated” soya allergy. Both are discussed in this factsheet.

Allergy to soya is uncommon in the UK compared with milk, egg, peanut and fish allergies. Some reports suggest that children with soya allergy have a good chance of outgrowing it, but how often this occurs is not known.

If you know or suspect you are allergic to soya, the most important thing is to visit your GP and request a referral to an allergy clinic for allergy testing – even if your symptoms have so far been mild. Future symptoms could be more severe. It is also important to know which of the two types of soya allergy is causing you problems.

The symptoms of this kind of food allergy can come on rapidly. These may include nettle rash (also known as hives or urticaria) anywhere on the body, or a tingling or itchy feeling in the mouth. Most people with soya allergy, including children, experience only mild symptoms, but on very rare occasions serious symptoms occur.

More serious symptoms of a food allergy may include:

• swelling in the throat and/or mouth
• difficulty breathing
• severe asthma
• abdominal (stomach) pain, feeling sick and vomiting
• feeling faint, dizzy, or very sleepy

The term for this more serious reaction is anaphylaxis. In extreme cases there could be a dramatic fall in blood pressure. The person may become weak and floppy and may have a sense of something terrible happening. This may lead to collapse and unconsciousness.

In one study that looked at 55 Japanese children who were allergic to soya, reactions most often involved the skin. Other children experienced symptoms in the mouth, difficulty breathing and diarrhoea. There was one case of anaphylaxis.

Most healthcare professionals consider an allergic reaction to be anaphylaxis when it involves difficulty in breathing or affects the heart rhythm or blood pressure. Click here to read our anaphylaxis factsheet for further information.

It is important to see your GP as soon as possible if you suspect you have symptoms triggered by soya. Your doctor will probably need to refer you to an allergy clinic. Anyone who has suffered anaphylaxis should certainly be referred. Your GP can locate an allergy clinic in your area by visiting the website of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology .

Once you get a referral, the consultant will discuss your symptoms with you in detail as well as your medical history. It is important to have appropriate tests (such as skin prick tests) and to have the results reviewed and interpreted by a specialist. In cases where some uncertainty about a diagnosis remains, the consultant may recommend a “food challenge”. This is where the patient eats a small amount of soya, increasing the amount gradually, to test whether or not a reaction will occur. This must only be done by an experienced consultant in a medical setting.

Even when there is a positive diagnosis of IgE mediated soya allergy, allergy consultants have no way of telling you how severe your next allergic reaction is going to be. It is not true that each allergic reaction is more severe than the last one. The next reaction might be just the same, it might be mild, or it could be a lot more severe.

Your history may contain important clues about the severity of your allergy. For example, the seriousness of any past reaction and the amount of soya that caused it are important factors. If you have reacted to a very small amount of a food containing soya, your allergy may be severe.

The risk of an allergic reaction to soya is likely to be higher if you have asthma that is poorly controlled. See your GP for advice on how to keep your asthma in check.

The main treatment of non-IgE mediated soya allergy is avoidance of soya. If eczema is a symptom, treatments for this may be prescribed. Where there is a condition known as eosinophilic oesophagitis, with reflux symptoms and pain, treatment may include a topical steroid preparation.

Soya (also known as soy) is a common ingredient in many processed foods. Soya beans are often called edamame when fresh or frozen.

Once you have a confirmed soya allergy diagnosis, it is important to exclude your allergen from your diet. It is vital to read food labels carefully every time you shop. Remember that ingredients in products sometimes change.

All pre-packaged food sold within the UK must declare and highlight, in the ingredient list, major allergens including soya, even if they appear in small quantities. You should question staff in restaurants, takeaways and other catering establishments. You can find more information on shopping and preparing food here and on eating out here.

Soya is used in a wide range of foods. Examples include:

• tofu – another name for soya bean curd. Tofu is a concentrated form of soya and is often used as a protein source for vegetarians or others cutting down on meat. Soya bean curd is traditionally used in some stir fries and soups in the Far East.
• soya flour – soya flour is used extensively in the bakery industry and is present in many types of bread. Other foods to watch out for include cakes and biscuits.
• infant foods – some may contain soya flour.
• vegetable protein – hydrolysed vegetable protein (HVP) and textured vegetable protein (TVP)
• lecithin – lecithin (E322) is an emulsifier normally derived from unrefined soya oil and occasionally from rapeseed oil. Although the risk of reaction to soya lecithin may be small, we advise that you seek advice from your doctor or allergy specialist about whether you should avoid it.
• soya sauce – also known as soy sauce. This is widely used in Far Eastern recipes and is also commonly used to add a savoury flavour to soups, gravies, stews and sauces.
• medicines – always ask your pharmacist if soya is an ingredient of medicines.

Soya-based infant formulas are not considered a suitable alternative to cow’s milk formula for infants less than six months old. After six months old, soya-based infant formula may be considered for some children, but it is important to seek the advice of a healthcare professional or your GP.

In the UK, soya infant formula is not generally recommended by healthcare professionals for those with cow’s milk allergy, as some children who are allergic to cow’s milk protein are also allergic to soya protein.

• If you suspect a soya allergy it is important to visit your GP.
• If you are prescribed AAIs, carry them with you at all times.
• Read food labels carefully and question staff in restaurants, takeaways and other catering establishments.
• Always be guided by your allergy specialist as to which foods you should avoid.
• Seek advice from a dietician or nutritionist on suitable soya alternatives to ensure that you are getting sufficient nutrients, particularly if you follow a vegan diet.