What you need to know about soy allergies

21st September 2022

What you need to know about soy allergies

Soy is one of those ingredients you don’t realise is as popular as it is. But take a look in your food cupboard and you might be surprised. Obviously, you have something like soy sauce. Then you also have lots of Asian cuisine that uses it, soy milk is an incredibly popular choice for those with lactose intolerance, and plenty of meat alternatives use it too.

It’s also one of the most common allergens out there. In fact, it’s part of what some call the “Big Eight” – eight ingredients that account for 90% of all food allergies. So considering how likely you are to come across it, what do you need to know about soy allergies?

Symptoms of soy allergies

As a reaction to soy is a food allergy, you’re going to see a lot of the same symptoms. At the milder end of the scale, this might include:

• Hives
• Stomach cramps
• Swelling around the tongue and/or lips
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

But, as with many other food allergies, reactions can also be quite severe and – in the worst cases – life-threatening. Symptoms to look out for in this case are:

• Difficulty breathing
• Closing throat
• Dizziness
• Anaphylaxis

With that last one, you’ll also notice a weak pulse as an anaphylactic shock causes a person’s blood pressure to drop dangerously low. If this ever occurs, seek medical attention immediately.

What to avoid

We mentioned a few foods earlier that you need to avoid, but the list can grow quite long. Here are some of the most common places you’ll find it:

• Soy sauce, milk, oil, and other such products with “soy” in the name
• Edamame
• Miso
• Tofu and other meat alternatives

This is particularly risky for vegetarians and vegans, as soy is often used in foods made for this market. Though we stress it’s important to check ingredients no matter the food. Soy can be in various canned goods, biscuits, meat, sauces, and even soaps. So it pays to be vigilant.

How to treat

If you suspect you have a soy allergy, it’s better to be safe than sorry and avoid anything with soy in it. At least until you can get a proper confirmation. If there’s a risk of anaphylaxis, you may have to start carrying an EpiPen with you to treat the reaction.

Soy allergies are prevalent in children, but some evidence suggests that roughly 50% of them will outgrow it by age 7. And 70% will by age 10. If you have the condition as an adult, the chances of it disappearing might be low. The ultimate way to treat a soy allergy? Get tested. An allergy test will clarify the issue quickly.

It’s important to work with an allergy specialist, as they will be best equipped at tackling your condition. They will be able to carry out the appropriate tests and give you the advice you need to live a happier and healthier life.

Don’t let your allergies bring you down. Our allergists work day in, day out with people just like you, and help them manage their allergies better. To find out more, you can always call us on 02031 433 449. Or you can register as a new patient here.

Three more allergies you probably haven’t heard of

12th May 2021

Three more allergies you probably haven’t heard of

Back in February, we talked about three unusual allergies you don’t see every day. We’ve all heard of people who are allergic to dogs or peanuts, but red meat? Reptiles? Money? You definitely don’t see those too often.

But they are very real allergies you can suffer from. So we thought we’d dive into three more uncommon allergies. Let’s take a look.

Bean bags

If melting into a beanbag gives you tearful eyes and a runny nose, it might be best to stick to the sofa. Most beanbags are filled with polystyrene, which can cause an allergic reaction. Okay, so why not go for one filled with dried soybeans? That’s all well and good, except they can cause allergic reactions too. If you react to soybeans in bean bags, at least you know to avoid it in your food too.

Tattoos 

Itchiness, swelling, and redness are normal after getting a tattoo. But when these problems persist or a rash develops, you could be looking at an allergy. It’s not clear yet why some people have reactions to tattoo ink, but some form of reaction isn’t uncommon. 

In a survey of 300 tattooed people in New York, 13 participants reported acute reactions, and 18 reported chronic reactions. These include itchiness, swelling, scaliness or raised skin for more than four months.

Laundry detergent

Anyone can be allergic to laundry detergent, and it can develop even after you’ve been using it for a while. The reaction it causes on the skin is called contact dermatitis. Symptoms include a red rash, tender skin, blisters, and dry cracking skin. Often, you can avoid an allergic reaction by using fragrance and dye-free detergents. 

This is just the tip of the iceberg – there are so many more unusual allergies out there you won’t have heard of. But if you think you might have an allergy, don’t wait around and get a test.

If you’re ever worried about any potential allergies, get in touch with the expert allergists at London Allergy and Immunology Centre. To find out more, call us today on 02031 433 449.

Three allergens to look out for this Veganuary

6th January 2021

Three allergens to look out for this Veganuary

The new year’s here and we all have our resolutions at the ready. From diet to exercise, January is the month where we’re motivated and ready to make changes in our lives. It’s why many will be participating in Veganuary – adopting a vegan diet for January – in a bid to stay healthy and maybe help the environment too.

But while a vegan diet definitely has its benefits, you may have to be careful eating food you don’t usually eat. Some might cause an allergic reaction in a minority of people. Here are three of the most popular allergens found in vegan food.

Soybean

This is a particularly popular ingredient in vegan and vegetarian dishes. Soybean is used to make tofu, soy milk, and tempeh, amongst many other products. Soya-based products are often used as a substitute for meat and increases the protein in a dish.

Symptoms can be mild, including the likes of hives or itching. But it can also be severe, causing anaphylaxis, so it needs to be taken seriously.

Nuts

From nut roasts at Christmas to almond milk in your tea, nuts are found in a lot of vegan products thanks to the various ways we can enjoy them.

If you’re someone who has a nut allergy, you’re probably no stranger to intently reading labels to ensure the contents are safe for you to eat, but with the popularity of nuts in vegan and vegetarian food, this is something you’ll have to keep up through Veganuary.

Gluten

Quick to make, full of vitamins, and very filling, cereals seem like a great addition to your diet. That is, unless you have coeliac disease or a sensitivity to gluten.

A sensitivity to gluten isn’t the same as an allergy, but can still cause unpleasant symptoms such as bloating, stomach ache, and tiredness. It’s estimated that 1 in 100 people worldwide have coeliac disease and that many are undiagnosed. So if you feel these symptoms on your new diet, this could be the cause.

If you’re participating in Veganuary this year, it may be wise to get an allergy test. That way, you can know for certain if you’re allergic to something and put your mind at ease.

If you’d like to book a test, or get some expert advice on your allergies before starting a new diet, call us today on 02031 433 449.