Sesame seeds and products thereof
An allergy to sesame protein can occur after eating the seed. It has become more common over the past ten years and is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people. One in three children with multiple food allergies may have sesame allergies.
Most people with sesame seed allergy will only have mild reactions. Severe reactions affecting the child's breathing occur in about 15% of cases, particularly in those with poorly controlled asthma.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually occur straight after eating food containing sesame seed but can occur up to one hour later. The reaction tends to be mild and may include a rash (hives or "nettle" rash) or swelling, especially around the face. Some children have an itchy throat; others may vomit or have diarrhoea. Severe reactions (anaphylaxis) are less common and include difficulty breathing (with wheeze or swelling in the throat), feeling faint or dizzy. People can also develop delayed skin reactions to using creams and toiletries containing sesame seed oil.
