Sesame

Antigen Made From:

Whole Sesame seed

Associated With:

- Allergy

- Anaphylaxis

- Conjunctivitis

- Facial erythema

- Occupational asthma

- Rhinitis

- Uticaria

Known Cross-Reactions:

Almonds; Kiwi, Poppy seeds, Hazelnuts, Rye

Clinical Significance:

The presence of antibodies to Sesame is an indication of food immune reactivity. The offending food and its known cross-reactive foods should be eliminated from the diet. Sesame allergy/intolerance is becoming more common as more people begin to seek a healthy protein-rich food. Special precaution must be taken by those in the baking industry, as occupational asthma stemming from the inhalation of Sesame flour has been reported.

Additionally, patients with immediate or delayed immune reactivities should not only avoid ingesting the food, but should also abstain from using topical products that contain Sesame.

What if your test result is "equivocal"?

An equivocal result on a test for sesame sensitivity in the context of gluten-associated cross-reactive foods means that the test result is uncertain or borderline. This could indicate a low level of sensitivity to sesame, but it's not definitive enough to confirm a true sensitivity or allergy.

Here’s what to consider or do next:

→ Consultation with a Healthcare Provider: It’s important to discuss the results with a healthcare professional who can provide guidance based on your overall health, symptoms, and medical history.

→ Further Testing: Your healthcare provider may recommend additional testing to clarify the results. This could include more specific allergy tests or a different type of sensitivity test.

→ Dietary Monitoring: You might be advised to monitor your symptoms when consuming sesame products. Keeping a food diary that tracks what you eat and any symptoms that follow can be helpful.

→ Elimination Diet: In some cases, an elimination diet might be suggested, where sesame is removed from your diet for a period to see if symptoms improve. This can be followed by a reintroduction phase to see if symptoms reoccur when sesame is added back.

→ Consider Other Factors: Since cross-reactivity can be complex, it’s also wise to consider other factors that might affect your symptoms, such as other food sensitivities or gastrointestinal conditions.

An equivocal result can be frustrating, but with careful management and professional guidance, you can determine the best approach for your health.

References:

1. Alday et al. Occupational hypersensitivity to sesame seeds. Allergy, 1996; 51:69-70.

2. Gangur et al. Sesame allergy: a growing food allergy of global proportions? Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, 2005; 95:4-11.

3. Kagi and Wuthrich. Falafel burger anaphylaxis due to sesame seed allergy. Ann Allergy, 1993; 71(2):127-129.

4. Pecquet et al. Immediate hypersensitivity to sesame in foods and cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis, 1998; 39:313.

5. Perkins. Raising awareness of sesame allergy. Pharma J, 2001; 267:757-758.

6. Pajno et al. Anaphylaxis to sesame. Allergy, 2000; 55(2):199-201.

7. Keskinen et al. A case of occupational asthma, rhinitis and urticaria due to sesame seed. Clin Exp Allergy, 1991; 21:623-624.

8. Hlywka et al. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of almonds in foods. J Food Prot,
2000; 63(2):252-257.

9. Vocks et al. Common allergenic structures in hazelnut, rye grain, sesame seeds, kiwi, and poppy seeds. Allergy,
1993; 48(3):168-172.