Can people with sesame allergies eat sesame seeds?
Quick Answer
No
People with sesame allergies should avoid eating sesame seeds as it could trigger an allergic reaction.
What Is It?
Sesame allergy is a common food allergy where the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies proteins in sesame seeds as harmful and triggers an allergic reaction.
How to Tell
Symptoms of a sesame allergy can range from mild, such as hives, itching, or gastrointestinal discomfort, to severe, such as anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that can impair breathing and send the body into shock.
Why It Can Be Risky
Eating sesame seeds when you have a sesame allergy can lead to serious health risks.
These include difficulty breathing, rapid pulse, dizziness, stomach pain, vomiting, or even anaphylaxis. In some cases, even touching or inhaling sesame seeds can cause an allergic reaction.
Safe Alternatives
People with sesame allergies can use alternatives like sunflower seeds, flax seeds, or pumpkin seeds in their diet.