Among the top eight allergies that affect children, soy allergies affect approximately 1% of the people in the US. Soy based formulas are often blamed for the onset of this allergy and although many children will outgrow this allergy by the age of three, more and more adults are also developing allergies to soy.

Soy allergies on the whole tend to be milder than other food allergies for instance nut allergies which can often produce life threatening allergic reactions. Soy allergies can result in anaphylaxis but this is very rare in soy allergies. For most people a reaction to soy can be uncomfortable and miserable but rarely does it progress beyond that point.

Symptoms of a soy allergy include hives, itching, canker sores, swelling around lips, face or throat, runny nose, trouble breathing, tingling in the mouth, cramping, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. Anaphylaxis which is the severe allergic reaction most often associated with peanut or milk allergies, can occur but usually only does so in people with other conditions such as asthma or other allergies such as to peanuts.

Soy has become a popular product being consumed by those who choose to be vegetarian or consumed for the many health benefits that soy has been said to have. Soy is also increasingly being used in many products, so even if you think that there is no soy in your current diet there most likely is. Soy is added to meat products and substitutes, baked goods, candy, ice cream, condiments and butter substitutes.

There are many hidden sources of soy products such as TVP, HVP, lecithin, monodiglyeride, vegetable broth, natural flavorings, vegetable starch, vegetable oil and vitamin E. Soy is everywhere and it is important that you understand the different sources of soy and what products they can be in. Many health and beauty products as well as vitamins contain soy as well so you will need to read the labels on these as well.

If a person does have a severe reaction to soy or is very sensitive to it, they will want to discuss with their doctor, the need to carry an EpiPen with them in the event of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This type of allergic reaction although uncommon in soy allergies, is life threatening and needs immediate medical treatment.