Allergy, Soya Bean

People can have allergies to a specific food product. For instance, an allergy to soybean can lead to itching, wheezing, or even abdominal pain. Hence, it is crucial to identify such food allergens in order to plan your diet in a better way.

Generally, a suspected allergen can cause the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Diarrhoea
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Anaphylaxis

In case of an allergic reaction, your body identifies food allergens as toxic substances and your immune system produces antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). Besides soy, certain other food allergens can also trigger adverse reactions. Here are other items that you should be wary of:

• Kidney beans
• Chickpeas
• Lentils
• Pinto beans
• Navy beans
• Liquorice

Overall, the soya bean allergy test can prove highly useful in detecting the severity of the allergy and the level of IgE antibodies. In this test, the lab technician uses a needle to draw blood from your arm.

During this soy allergy testing, you might feel mild pain or a stinging sensation. After acquiring your blood sample, the specimen will be analysed for allergic antibodies. This analysis is similar to an IgE blood test.

A positive soya bean allergy test result implies that you have an allergy to soybean. After assessing the results, your doctor can suggest avoiding foods high in soy content. Here are some well-known alternatives that you might need to avoid:

• Salad dressings
• Soy sauce
• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Natto

Your doctor can also suggest injectable epinephrine as a part of soybean dust allergy treatment or common reactions. Depending on the soy allergic severity, you might need to avoid foods containing soybean content.

Since allergy symptoms vary from person to person, your doctor will suggest the treatment most suitable for your case. The focus will be on treating the ongoing allergy to soybeans like fever, diarrhoea, eczema, or skin redness.

Apollo 24|7 has a dedicated soybean allergy test available at a reasonable price. 

Medically reviewed by Dr. Saibal Moitra, Allergist and clinical immunologist, Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata.