Soy allergy factsheet

Introduction

Products like soy milk and tofu are made from soybeans. Allergic reactions to soy products can develop in the first year of your child's life.

Soy allergy can also be common in young children with atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema.

Most children will grow out of their soy allergy, but some will have it for life.

Some children are more at risk of having a soy allergy. Risk factors include:

a family history of allergies and asthma
having eczema
having other allergies.

Like any other allergy, it is important to talk to your child's doctor before reintroducing foods that have caused an allergic reaction.

Signs and symptoms

Allergic reactions can be fast and happen within minutes of exposure to soy.

Reactions can include:

hives or welts
redness of the skin
vomiting and stomach ache
tingling and swelling of the mouth, lips, face, and eyes.

Some children can have a more severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

Signs of anaphylaxis include:

wheezing, difficult, or noisy breathing
swelling of the tongue
swelling or tightness in the throat
a persistent cough
difficulty talking or a hoarse voice
dizziness
becoming pale and floppy in young children
collapsing.

If your child has signs of anaphylaxis, you should:

follow your child’s ASCIA action plan for anaphylaxis if you have one
use an EpiPen® or Anapen®, if there is one available
call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.

See your local doctor as soon as possible if your child is showing signs of an allergic reaction for the first time.

Symptoms of mild allergic reactions should fade over time. See your local doctor as soon as possible if symptoms do not get better or you are concerned.

Diagnosis

If you think your child has had an allergic reaction that is not anaphylaxis, write down the following and see your local doctor as soon as possible:

time your child was exposed to the soy product
time of reaction
type of reaction
amount of soy product eaten.

A specialist doctor can diagnose a soy allergy based on your child's:

medical history
signs and symptoms
results from allergy tests.

Some children will grow out of their soy allergy.

A food challenge can be done to figure out whether your child has grown out of their allergy and whether soy can be reintroduced to their diet safely. Food challenges are done under the supervision of a doctor in the hospital.

Treatment

Your child's doctor will find the best possible treatment for their allergy based on their individual health needs.

In most cases, your child must carefully avoid soy in their diet.

Children at risk of anaphylaxis need:

an ASCIA action plan
an adrenaline injector, also known as an EpiPen® or Anapen®.

Your child will also need to learn how to identify foods that contain soy as they get older and become more independent with their diet.

Management

Common sources of soy

Soy is a common ingredient in food, so it can be difficult to avoid.

Some foods will visibly include soy, like tofu, tempeh, or edamame.

It can also be in other products like:

infant formula
foods labelled as vegetarian, dairy-free, plant-based or vegan
bread and other baked goods that are made using soy flour
chocolate and sweets that are made using hydrolysed vegetable protein
mayonnaise, margarine, packaged sauces, gravy mixes and flavourings
pre-prepared meats with filler - for example, hot dogs, burger patties and chicken nuggets.

Products like soy sauce, miso, and tamari are commonly used in noodle soups, curry, stir-fries, and fried rice.

Soy is also commonly used to replace dairy in products like yoghurt and milk. It is important to always check the package and ingredient list of all foods.

Infant formula and soy allergy

If your baby is exclusively breastfed, they will not usually have soy in their diet until you start introducing solids at around six months old.

Most common infant formulas are made from cow's milk or soy products.

Formula-fed Babies who have both a cow's milk and soy allergy will need special infant formula that a doctor can prescribe.

Some hypo-allergenic Infant formulas can contain soy and may be inappropriate for babies with soy allergies. Talk to your local doctor if you are unsure.

Soy, food labels and eating out

It is important to always check the package and ingredient list of all foods your child eats.

In Australia, allergens are shown in bold each time they appear in an ingredient list. Packaged foods may have a warning on the label that "may contain traces of soy".

This means the food is made in a facility that also makes foods that contain soy.

Always tell the staff that your child has a soy allergy when eating out. This will help you find safe foods and avoid contamination.

If you cannot confirm that food does not contain soy, it is safest for your child to avoid it.

Talk to your child’s doctor about what foods containing soy are safe if you are unsure.

Education

The most important thing you can do is support your child in avoiding soy in their diet. You can also educate your child, family, and friends about allergies, reactions, and what to do in an emergency.

Parents of younger children will need to read ingredient lists and learn to find soy in foods and drinks.

Older children can be supported in learning to read ingredient lists and find soy in foods.

This can help keep children safe and encourage them to be more independent and confident about their diet and health as they grow.