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Soy allergy, also known as allergy type 1, may be triggered by one of the 16 different proteins in soy. Latest research has uncovered the fact that these 16 different proteins within soy have the ability to trigger allergic reactions. The allergic reaction to soy occurs as soon as soy is consumed – the proteins within soy set off the allergic reactions in one's immune system. Soy proteins are seen as harmful and the immune system attacks them by using histamines and antibodies, chemicals that cause the soy allergy symptoms. The symptoms that appear as a direct result of your soy allergy can range from minor ones to more threatening ones and their severity will depend on how badly your body reacts to your soy allergy. Symptoms can occur within seconds of consuming the soy proteins or they may take some hours to occur. Also, if you are allergic to soy, you may also be allergic to some of the following foods – peanuts, lima beans, lentils and green peas. This happens because soy comes from the exact same botanical family as them. The strength of soy allergens will depend on the way soy is grown, harvested and processed. For instance, some of the most allergenic soy proteins are the ones coming from raw soy plants or beans while the ones coming from plants or beans that have been exposed to extremely high temperatures during their processing are not likely to be as allergenic as the first ones. However, even they may cause mild allergic reactions when consumed. The common symptoms of soy allergy include acne like rashes and eczema on skin, swelling, nasal congestion, low blood pressure, fever blisters, hay fever, fatigue, breathing problems, diarrhea, vomiting and itching. Depending on your allergic reaction, you may find necessary to rush to the emergency room once you notice that your respiratory passages are about to close up and you are prevented from breathing well. Also, you should consider paying a visit to your doctor in order to get your mild reactions alleviated. You will get prescribed with the necessary drugs that will have to be administered orally. Also, you will get some special creams that are to be applied locally on each of your kin rashes. Avoiding soy can be a daunting task especially because soy derivatives are to be found in the vast majority of popular processed foods. So, it's highly important for you to talk to your health care provider as soon as you discover that you are suffering from soy allergy. Your doctor may recommend you to stay away from soy and soy based products for good, especially if your symptoms are severe enough. Also, a soy allergy could get even worse over time, even to the point where allergic reactions can turn out to be fatal. Keep in mind that the more contact you have with the soy allergens, the more severe your symptoms get.
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