Treatment

The only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid soy and soy proteins.

Medications, such as antihistamines, may reduce signs and symptoms of minor soy allergies. Taking an antihistamine after exposure to soy may control your reaction and help relieve discomfort. Over-the-counter antihistamines include: diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Banophen Complete Allergy Medication), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Aller-Chlor), cetirizine (Zyrtec, Equate Allergy Relief) and loratadine (Alavert, Claritin).

Despite your best efforts, you can eat soy unknowingly. If you have a serious allergic reaction, you may need an emergency injection of epinephrine and to go to the emergency room.

Potential future treatments

A number of treatments are in clinical trials. Promising treatments include oral (swallowed) immunotherapy (OIT) and sublingual (under the tongue) immunotherapy (SLIT) to increase tolerance to foods that cause allergic reactions. But more research is needed.