Hello! Have you ever wondered why some foods are so inedible? Or have you ever noticed how some people get red all over their bodies and have difficulty breathing even after eating a small amount? Today we are going to talk about something that is a little special, but can be seen in many people, especially young children. That is sesame allergy, or as we say in English , sesame allergy . Maybe if you have a small child at home, this will be very important for you. Don't worry, let's talk about this simply and clearly.
What exactly is a sesame allergy?
Simply put, sesame is one of the foods that can cause allergic reactions in some people. You might be thinking, "Oh, my child had a minor reaction to sesame last time, so it's okay." But don't think so. A person with a food allergy may have mild symptoms at first, but the next time they eat it, they can have a severe reaction that can be life-threatening.
Therefore, if a doctor tells you that you have a sesame allergy, you should completely avoid eating foods that contain sesame. You should also always carry two doses of epinephrine in case of an emergency. While some food allergies go away over time, for many people, a sesame allergy can be lifelong.
Why do our bodies respond to stress like this?
Think about it, our body has an immune system . It's like an army that protects our country. Its main job is to fight germs that cause disease. However, when certain proteins in sesame seeds enter the body of someone with a sesame allergy, this immune system gets a little upset. It thinks that these proteins are foreign invaders. So, a big fight begins against those "invaders." As a result of that fight, allergy symptoms appear.
Even a very small amount of sesame protein can cause this type of reaction. There are a few foods that are particularly risky for people with sesame allergies. In addition to the familiar sesame buns and hummus, be careful of these foods:
- Biscuits, chips and other snack foods
- Asian, African, Mexican and Mediterranean recipes (especially some curries and sauces)
- Sauces, salad dressings and dips
What are the symptoms of an allergy? How do we recognize it?
When someone with a sesame allergy eats something that contains sesame, their body releases chemicals called histamine . That's what causes the allergic symptoms mentioned earlier. This reaction can sometimes be very mild, and other times it can be very severe. Don't assume that just because the previous reaction was mild, the next one will be the same.
Here are some common symptoms you may see:
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Cough
- Hoarseness of voice
- Feeling like your throat is constricted
- Stomach ache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea (poor bowel movements)
- Itchy eyes, watery eyes, swollen eyes
- Hives
- Red spots on the body
- Body swelling
- Sudden drop in blood pressure, feeling dizzy, or losing consciousness
How do you treat an allergic reaction?
Sometimes, a peanut allergy can lead to a very serious, life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis . This condition may start with the same symptoms as the common allergy symptoms mentioned earlier. However, it can get worse very quickly. You may not be able to breathe or lose consciousness. These symptoms can affect more than one area of the body. If you don't get epinephrine, this condition can be fatal.
Most importantly: If your child has a sesame allergy (or any other food allergy), the doctor will tell you to always keep two epinephrine pens on hand in case of an emergency.
This epinephrine is a prescription medicine that you can get from a pharmacy. It comes in a small, portable device. It's very easy to use. Your doctor will show you how to use it. Always keep two doses with you. This is very important in case one doesn't work or you need to give a second dose.
Your doctor may also give you an "allergy action plan." This will help you learn how to prepare for, recognize, and treat an allergic reaction. Share this plan with anyone who needs to be aware, such as your family, school officials, and sports coaches. Wherever your child is, everyone who cares for him or her should always know where epinephrine is, where it is easily accessible, and how to administer it. Consider having your child wear a medical alert bracelet.
Time is of the essence in an allergic reaction. If your child develops severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing or a sore throat, give epinephrine immediately. Also, if symptoms occur in two parts of the body at once, such as skin rash and vomiting, give epinephrine immediately. Then call 911 (or the 1990 Suraksha Ambulance Service in Sri Lanka) immediately and take your child to a hospital. Medical supervision is very important, because sometimes, even when the worst of the problem seems to be over, severe symptoms can appear a second time.
How can you protect your children as parents?
If allergy testing confirms that your child has a sesame allergy, an allergist will advise you on what to do.
The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid eating sesame seeds . Avoiding sesame seeds doesn't just mean not eating sesame seeds. It also means not eating any food that may contain sesame as an ingredient.
The best way to know for sure if a food is sesame-free is to read the food label . Look carefully at the ingredients list. Here's a little something to keep in mind: sesame labeling became mandatory in 2023. So, products manufactured before that date may not have sesame listed. Also, sesame may be hidden behind words like "spices" or "natural flavors."
After looking at the ingredients list, look for words like "may contain sesame" or "produced on shared equipment with sesame." These foods may not list sesame as an ingredient, but they do include these warnings to let you know that they may contain small amounts of sesame. This is called cross-contamination . This means that even if a food is not sesame-free, if it is prepared in a place where sesame is present, a small amount of sesame can get onto the cooking equipment. Not all companies label this cross-contamination. So, if you have any questions, call or email the company that makes the food to find out exactly what's going on.
Always be careful. Even if your child has never had a problem with a certain food before, manufacturers sometimes change their manufacturing processes. For example, they may start sourcing from a place that uses flour instead of the one they used to buy from. Also, even two foods that look the same may have different manufacturing methods. Since ingredients can vary, it's important to always read the label, even if you think it's safe.
What else do we need to know?
Here are a few more things to keep in mind:
- If you keep sesame seeds at home, be careful about cross-contamination. For example, don't use the same knife you use to spread hummus on bread when preparing food for a child with a sesame allergy. Also, don't toast other types of bread in the same toaster that toasts sesame seeds.
- Don't give your child foods that you didn't make yourself and don't know exactly what the ingredients are.
- Tell everyone who handles your child's food – from restaurant waiters to school cafeteria workers – about the allergy. If the manager or owner of a restaurant is uncomfortable with your request to prepare gluten-free food, don't eat there.
- Try making your own snacks and treats to take with you to your child's school lunch, as well as to parties, friends' houses, nights out, school events, and other outings.
- Work with the childcare center supervisor or school principal to ensure that the food allergy emergency action plan provided by your allergist is being followed exactly.
- Always keep epinephrine with your child. It should be with you, the child, or the person taking care of the child, not in the glove box of the car.
Remember, this information is for informational purposes only. If you suspect or have confirmed that your child has a sesame allergy, it is best to see a doctor for proper advice.
Finally, here are some take-home messages:
Look, a sesame allergy is something to be a little concerned about. But it's not something that can't be managed.
- Awareness is the first step. You need to be well-informed about sesame allergy, its symptoms, and its treatment.
- Make it a habit to read labels. Read the label of every food you buy from the store. If in doubt, ask the manufacturer.
- Always think about cross-contamination. Be careful about this both at home and out and about.
- Epinephrine is a life-saving medication. Always keep it with you, know how to use it properly, and check the expiration date.
- You are not alone. With the help of your doctor, family, school teachers, and friends, you can successfully cope with this situation.
So, if you do these things without fear, with care, and with awareness, a child with a sesame allergy can live a happy, healthy life like everyone else. If you have any other questions, be sure to talk to a doctor.
` Sesame allergy, childhood allergies, food allergies, epinephrine, anaphylaxis, food labels, cross-contamination
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