While precise global figures on sesame allergy are not comprehensively and accurately available, a significant cross-sectional study published in 2019 sheds light on the situation in the United States.
Covering the period from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2016, the study involved 51,819 U.S. households and estimated that over 1.5 million children and adults (about 0.49% of the U.S. population) might be allergic to sesame.
This data has garnered widespread attention from the public and the medical community.
However, it is noteworthy that not all individuals estimated to be allergic to sesame truly meet the criteria for IgE-mediated allergy based on self-reported symptoms.
Further analysis revealed that only 0.23% of the population met this criterion, while 0.11% were diagnosed with sesame allergy by physicians but had never experienced allergic reactions.
This discrepancy may stem from the complexity of allergy diagnosis and variations in individual perception and reporting of allergic symptoms.
Among the surveyed population, most individuals reported allergies to more than one food, particularly peanuts.
In fact, over 75% of those potentially allergic to sesame also reported allergies to one or more of the other eight major allergens (such as milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, wheat, soy, tree nuts, and peanuts). This indicates that food allergies are often not isolated but rather involve multiple food cross-allergies.
The severity of sesame allergic reactions varies from individual to individual, ranging from mild hives to severe anaphylactic reactions (such as anaphylactic shock or multi-organ system involvement).
Over 37% of respondents reported severe reactions, while over 20% experienced symptoms such as wheezing, fainting, dizziness, or hypotension. These symptoms not only cause considerable distress to patients but can also be life-threatening.
It is worth noting that sesame-allergic individuals experience hives more frequently, but compared to those allergic to one of the eight major allergens, they have a lower frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms (such as stomach pain, spasms, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting).
This finding aids doctors in more accurately identifying the symptomatic characteristics of sesame allergy, thereby providing more effective treatment and management options for patients.
In terms of treatment, the approach to sesame allergic reactions varies based on their severity.
In the same 2019 study, approximately one-third of participants reported using epinephrine auto-injectors at some point in their lives. This emergency treatment device is used to rapidly inject medication to alleviate symptoms during severe allergic reactions.
- Additionally, nearly half of the participants reported using antihistamines to reduce allergic symptoms;
- Less than one-tenth reported using asthma inhalers;
- Slightly more reported using corticosteroids. The use of these medications reflects the flexibility and diversity of doctors in managing allergic reactions of varying severities.
This study indicates that sesame allergy can be severe. Fortunately, it presents an opportunity to improve research, awareness, treatment, and management of sesame allergy among people and the food nutrition industry, as well as government regulation.
