sesame seed allergy?

[hayleyhew]

I think my 17 mths old son has sesame seed allergy. His whole face swelled up today and you could hardly see his eyes and he got bumps on his eczema. Really worried about how to deal with this - any advice?

Have a chat with your GP - he may refer DS for testing (although my DD1 has never been tested and she has 1 severe food allergy and 2 lesser ones).

Sometimes the reaction to food allergies gets worse with more exposure so the next episode might well involve vomiting or anaphalytic shock - read up on this if you don't already know about it. Best to be prepared!

So I'd try and avoid sesame if you can - biscuits and chinese food are particularly likely to contain it.

Hope he's OK now, poor old thing!

Anti-histamines (Piriton) can help get rashes and swelling under control but I'm not sure on the dosage for a 17mth old - something else your GP can advise on.

I'd see your GP. And in the meantime avoid anything with sesame in it (some breads, biscuits, hummus (usually contains Tahini which is sesame) & chinese/ thai food). Sesame allergy is relatively common. Your GP should be able to tell you more & advise you on what to avoid.

Hope your ds is ok now.

Sesame now 4th most common allergy, beating all single tree nut allergies.

See your GP.

Thanks for comments. Does anyone know the liklyhood of outgrowing the allergy?

Thanks for comments. Does anyone know the liklyhood of outgrowing the allergy?

advice on foods to avoid on anaphylaxis campaign website here www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/information/common_food_allergens.html

Buy a bottle of liquid piriton at the local pharmacy. Also ask the pharmacist to sell you 2 or 3 small medicine bottles without child resistant tops. Decant into each bottle 5 ml of pirtion. That's a higher dose than I think is normally recommended for a child of that age but if there's a severe allergic reaction they can be given more than the usual dose. Carry a bottle everywhere. The small bottles are easier to carry and you could leave one in the car.

You mentioned BUPA on another thread. You should be able to see a consultant quickly and you can ask them if an epipen would be appropriate. I'm afraid that there isn't as much published work on sesame allergy as on some other allergies so you'll need to ask the consultant about outgrowing it. For nut allergies its about 20% outgrow them.

My oldest child is nut but not sesame allergic and has epipens. Feel free to contact me if you'd just like some general sympathy about living with potentially serious allergies. I still remember what it was like when you first have to face it. You do get used to it with time, the anaphylaxis campaign can be a great help.

If you aren't giving your child probiotics or live yoghurt I'd do so. The possibilty of them reducing the reaction is quite small but its worth a try.

forgot to say - if his face swells again you could go to a&e. If his breathing is affected you phone for an ambulance.