Have you noticed that now you hear more about food allergies and how they affect Americans? This includes sesame allergies, the latest item added to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Top 9 Food Allergens. And while it’s not good that so many people, including North Texas families, are dealing with food allergies, thanks to food allergists and advocacy groups, it is helpful that such lists exist. Food allergy specialists help you with your sesame allergy on both the systemic and personal levels.
Top 3 Ways Allergists Help North Texans With Sesame Allergy
When you’re looking for relief from your sesame allergy symptoms like hives, stomach distress or difficulty breathing, you want a doctor who pays attention. And a board-certified food allergist will hear you loud and clear, then develop a plan to address your health. Below are the top ways a food allergist can help you with your sesame allergy.
1. Diagnosis and Testing
To deliver the best help possible, your allergist will first conduct comprehensive allergy testing to verify your sesame allergy and identify any other allergies you may have. They will also discuss your medical history to understand what’s happening with you.
Based on this assessment, they’ll determine which allergy testing method is the best for diagnosing your food allergy.
2. Education
A big part of living with sesame allergy is learning about how it affects you, and about the many food items that contain sesame, its seeds, oil or protein. Your allergy specialist will discuss the importance of reading food labels and how to do it effectively. You’ll also get to know about cross-reactivity, which for those with sesame allergies is certainly possible. In other words, you may also have sensitivities to peanuts or tree nuts in addition to the sesame.
The FDA list mentioned earlier will show certain allergens (the top 9 food allergens, including sesame, milk, shellfish, peanuts, etc.) to be clearly labeled if they’re an ingredient or potential trace substance in a food item. Sesame can be a bit sneaky, as it’s often used as a flavor enhancing ingredient in salad dressings, marinades and more. Your allergist can also provide helpful guidance about food options that are healthy for you, so that it’s not just about pure avoidance.
3. Treatment
The best news is that your food allergist will work with you to determine which allergy treatment options are the best for your sesame allergy. You may benefit from traditional treatments like allergy shots, which are highly effective in helping patients experience relief.
In addition to allergy shots, there are newer treatments that do not involve injections such as food allergy drops (sublingual immunotherapy or SLIT) and oral immunotherapy (OIT). These are all desensitization treatments that involve exposing you to gradually increasing doses of the allergen until there are no negative effects.
Your allergist will work with you to determine the treatment that’s best for you or your child, taking into account your medical history and even your schedule. This is another area where you’ll receive additional education and learn to track your responses to treatment.
Get Expert Help for Your Sesame Allergy in North Texas
North Texans with sesame allergy trust Dr. Mireku and the team at TexasAllergyMD for their compassionate, personalized care. Get the help that you or your child need to live with less fear about food today. Call us at (469) 375-1525, or request an appointment at our McKinney/Prosper or Southlake allergy treatment centers.
