Ask the allergist is an everyday characteristic in our newsletters the place Canadian allergists reply your questions!
Please be aware: The allergists featured on this sequence reply questions on normal subjects, please speak to your physician if in case you have questions on your personal well being or the well being of your little one.
This month Dr. Julia Upton solutions a query about allergy symptoms to seeds.
Folks might have an allergy to seeds, resembling sesame, poppy, flax, sunflower or pumpkin. If somebody is allergic to 1 kind of seed, is it fit for human consumption different seeds?
Seeds come from completely different plant households, this implies being allergic to 1 doesn’t routinely imply you’ll react to others. Some seeds share related proteins, and this cross-reactivity may cause allergic signs in sure individuals. For instance, some people who find themselves allergic to sesame generally have reactions to poppy or sunflower, however this isn’t common.
In case you are allergic to 1 kind of seed (e.g., sesame) however can safely eat one other kind of seed (e.g., chia), it’s not secure to imagine all different seeds are okay to devour. One of the best method is to seek the advice of an allergist for recommendation which can embody particular testing earlier than introducing new seeds.
Sensible recommendation for households
- At all times learn labels rigorously as a result of seeds could be components in breads, snacks, spice mixes, and different meals.
- Carry an epinephrine system, if prescribed.
- Talk about with your allergist whether or not testing or an oral meals problem is acceptable for different seeds, and whether or not therapies resembling immunotherapy are acceptable.
Be taught extra
Do you’ve a meals allergy-related query you’d prefer to ask an allergist within the months to return? If that’s the case, ship it alongside to us at [email protected].
Dr. Julia Upton is the Division Head of Immunology and Allergy at The Hospital for Sick Youngsters and a Professor within the Division of Pediatrics on the College of Toronto. She is on the Board of Administrators of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Scientific Immunology, and is a member of our Healthcare Advisory Board.
Please be aware: Dr. Upton is answering as a person allergist and her solutions don’t represent an official place of her affiliated organizations. Her responses are for informational functions solely and don’t represent particular medical recommendation, suggestions, prognosis, or therapy. Please speak to your physician about any issues or questions you could have concerning your personal well being or the well being of your little one.
Tags: flax seeds, poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds
