Preparing for an appointment

Call 911 or emergency medical help or go to an emergency room if you or your child develops symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as difficulty breathing or a rapid, weak pulse.

For less severe symptoms, call your family doctor or pediatrician. In some cases, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic illness (allergist).

Here's some information to help you get ready and to know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

• Write down symptoms you or your child has had and for how long. Also note if you or your child has had a similar reaction to other foods in the past. If you took photos during a previous reaction, bring those to show your doctor.
• Make a list of key medical information, including other recent health problems and prescription and over-the-counter medications you or your child is taking. It will also help your doctor to know if you have a family history of allergies or asthma.
• List recent dietary changes. Include as many details as you can about new foods you or your child has recently tried. Have you recently given your baby a new infant formula? Bring labels or ingredient lists from foods that concern you to the appointment.

• Write down the questions to ask your doctor. This will help you make the most of your time together.

  Some questions to ask about soy allergy include:

  • Do these symptoms suggest a food allergy?
  • Do you think soy is the most likely cause?
  • Are there other possible causes?
  • How will you make the diagnosis?
  • How do I manage soy allergy?
  • What foods should I or my child avoid?
  • Should I or my child carry an epinephrine auto-injector?
  • Is it necessary to wear a medical alert bracelet?
  • Does soy allergy increase my or my child's risk of other food allergies?

  If your child is the one with symptoms, ask your doctor these additional questions:

  • What adults should know about this allergy to help keep my child safe?
  • Do you expect my child will outgrow soy allergy?
  • Are my other children at increased risk of soy allergy? If yes, are there preventive steps I can take?

  Don't hesitate to ask other questions, as well.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:

• What symptoms have you or your child been having?
• When did symptoms begin?
• How soon after eating a particular food do symptoms appear?
• Do symptoms seem to be getting worse?
• Have you or your child recently added new foods to your diet?
• Are you or your child allergic to other foods?
• Do you have a family history of allergies or asthma?
• Are you or your child being treated for other medical conditions?

If your baby or child is the one with symptoms, your doctor may also ask:

• Have you recently started using a new infant formula?
• Do you or did you breast-feed your child? For how long?
• Has your child recently started eating solid foods?
• What foods do you typically include in your family diet?

What you can do in the meantime

Symptoms of soy allergy in babies may appear when a baby starts a soy-based infant formula. If you suspect your baby is allergic to soy, reduce exposure to allergens by feeding him or her breast milk. If your baby is eating solid foods, avoid products with soy.