Sesame Allergy
Treatment & Desensitization
Sesame Allergy Desensitization in NYC, Manhattan, Upper East Side
Sesame allergies are becoming common in the U.S., particularly among children. Dr. Atul Shah and our expert team at NY Food Allergy & Wellness are at the forefront of diagnosing and managing sesame allergies with personalized care and cutting-edge treatments. Sesame can be found in many processed foods, making accurate diagnosis and careful management essential.
Understanding Sesame Allergies
A sesame allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to proteins found in sesame seeds and products like hummus and tahini. Unlike other allergies, sesame reactions can be particularly severe due to its prevalence in many hidden ingredients. It’s critical to differentiate between a sesame allergy and food intolerances.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Sesame Allergies
Symptoms of sesame allergies can include:
Skin Reactions: Rashes, hives, swelling
Respiratory Issues: Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath
Gastrointestinal Problems: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea
Anaphylaxis: A severe reaction that requires immediate medical attention
Food Allergy Testing for Sesame
At NY Food Allergy & Wellness, we are proud to offer the Basophil Activation Test (BAT), a cutting edge diagnostic tool for identifying food allergies. This advanced test measures the activation of basophils, a type of white blood cell, in response to allergens. The BAT provides highly accurate results and can detect allergic reactions that might not be identified through traditional testing methods.
We are the only certified lab in the region offering the Basophil Activation Test. Our certification ensures that we maintain the highest standards of accuracy and reliability in our testing procedures. By choosing NY Food Allergy & Wellness for your allergy testing needs, you can be confident that you are receiving the most advanced and reliable diagnostics available.
The Basophil Activation Test is particularly useful for patients who have complex allergy profiles or who have not found answers through conventional tests. It can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of ongoing allergy treatments, providing valuable insights for personalized care plans.
Key benefits of the Basophil Activation Test include:
High Accuracy: Detects allergic reactions that may not be visible through skin prick or blood tests.
Comprehensive Analysis: Measures the specific activation of basophils, providing detailed information about allergic responses.
Certified Lab: Conducted in our certified lab, ensuring the highest standards of testing quality and reliability.
If you suspect you have a food allergy and need precise and reliable testing, the Basophil Activation Test at NY Food Allergy & Wellness is an excellent choice. Contact us today to learn more about this innovative test and to schedule your appointment.
Oral Food Challenges are considered the gold standard for diagnosing food allergies. During an OFC, the patient consumes small amounts of the suspected allergen under strict medical supervision to observe any reactions. This method provides definitive results and is conducted with the utmost care and safety.
Skin prick tests are a quick and effective way to identify specific allergens. During the test, a small amount of allergen is placed on the skin, which is then gently pricked to allow the allergen to enter. Results are typically visible within 15–20 minutes, making it a fast and reliable option.
Needle free tests are ideal for children and needle phobic patients. Using advanced technology, these tests provide precise results without the discomfort associated with traditional testing methods.
Blood tests are highly accurate and comprehensive, suitable for all age groups. They measure the presence of specific IgE antibodies in the blood, which can indicate an allergy. This method is particularly useful for patients who cannot undergo skin testing.
IgE specific to peanut components are very helpful in accurate diagnosis of true peanut allergy compared to false positives due to underlying tree pollen allergy. Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 are considered components with potential for systemic reactions.
Managing Sesame Allergies in Daily Life
Managing a sesame allergy requires vigilance beyond avoiding sesame seeds. At NY Food Allergy & Wellness, we provide essential guidance to help you live safely with a sesame allergy:
Reading Food Labels: Learn to identify hidden sesame ingredients and cross-contamination warnings. Sesame can appear under various names like "tahini".
Safe Cooking Alternatives: Replace sesame and seeds with safe alternatives to maintain flavor without the risk.
Dining Out: Get tips for communicating your sesame allergy to restaurant staff and selecting menu options that minimize risk.
Emergency Preparedness: Always carry epinephrine and develop a clear action plan for accidental exposure.
Sesame is often found in:Baked goods like bagels, crackers, and bread
Hummus and tahini-based dishes
Dressings, sauces, and Asian cuisine
Snack foods like granola and energy bars
(Sources: Food Allergy Research & Education, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology)
Managing Multiple Food Allergies
At NY Food Allergy & Wellness, our FATE™ (Food Allergy Tolerance Enhancement) Program specializes in managing multiple food allergies through comprehensive diagnostics and desensitization, helping patients achieve greater dietary freedom.
Diagnostic Approach
We begin with:
Detailed Patient History: Reviewing the patient’s medical history and symptoms.
Advanced Testing: Utilizing skin prick tests, blood tests, and the Basophil Activation Test to identify specific allergens and assess reaction severity.
Continuous Support
Regular Follow-ups: Monitoring progress and adjusting treatment plans.
Patient Education: Providing resources and training for effective management.
Support Groups: Facilitating patient support groups for shared experiences and strategies.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Our customized plans aim for food allergy desensitization and may include:
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT): Gradually introducing allergens to desensitize the immune system.
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT): Administering allergens under the tongue to build tolerance.
Medications: Antihistamines can relieve mild symptoms, while epinephrine is used for severe reactions like anaphylaxis. Omalizumab (Xolair) injections can be considered to reduce the risk or reactions.
Dietary Management: Guidance on safe food choices and avoidance strategies.
Emergency Preparedness: Training on using epinephrine auto-injectors and creating action plans for accidental exposures.
Frequently Asked Questions
The rise in sesame allergies can be attributed to several factors:
Increased Sesame Consumption: More sesame is being incorporated into modern diets, particularly in processed foods and ethnic cuisines.
Improved Diagnosis: Advances in allergy testing and greater awareness have led to more frequent diagnoses of sesame allergies.
Environmental Factors: Changes in diet and lifestyle, such as decreased early exposure to allergens, may contribute to the rise in food allergies
(JAMA, NIH).
Currently, avoidance is a general recommendation, but several treatments can help manage the condition:
Avoidance: The primary treatment involves avoiding sesame and sesame containing products.
Medications: Antihistamines can relieve mild symptoms, while epinephrine is used for severe reactions like anaphylaxis. Omalizumab (Xolair) injections can be considered to reduce the risk or reactions. Read more.
Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) and Oral Immunotherapy (OIT): These treatments gradually introduce small amounts of sesame to desensitize the immune system over time
(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology). Doing SLIT and OIT are effective options for sesame allergy. At NYFA, we offer SLIT and OIT products based on patient needs (single vs. multi food) and family’s preference for safety and the most efficient way to freedom.
Currently, there is no cure for sesame allergies. However, treatments like Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) have shown promise in increasing tolerance to sesame proteins.
OIT involves gradually exposing the immune system to sesame in controlled amounts, potentially reducing the severity of allergic reactions over time (American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology). Many of our patients at NYFA have reached free eating and are on their way to full tolerance.
A sesame allergy is caused by a specific immune response to proteins found in sesame seeds. While seeds like sunflower and flax also contain proteins, they differ from those in sesame, meaning you can be allergic to sesame but tolerate other seeds without issue (Food Allergy Research & Education, ACAAI).
NY Food Allergy & Wellness is the best choice for sesame allergy treatment because of our:
Expertise: Led by Dr. Atul Shah, a renowned specialist in food allergy treatment and desensitization.
Cutting Edge Therapies: We offer advanced desensitization treatments such as Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) for sesame allergies.
Comprehensive Care: Our personalized treatment plans and ongoing support ensure effective management of sesame allergies.
State of the Art Facilities: Our clinic is equipped with the latest diagnostic tools to provide accurate and reliable testing.
Severe Multi-Food Allergy Success Story
What our patients are saying...
Dr. Shah and the team at NY Food Allergy & Wellness are truly exceptional. I had long believed I was allergic to shrimp, crab, and lobster until I completed oral food challenges here and discovered I was not. Dr. Shah's kindness, expertise, and collaborative approach are unmatched.
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Dr. Shah provided exceptional care in overseeing our daughter's oral immunotherapy for her peanut allergy. Thanks to his expertise and guidance, she is now fully desensitized and no longer has any food restrictions. The entire staff is kind, incredibly helpful, and supportive.
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Dr. Shah has a profound understanding of food allergies and explains test results and treatment options clearly. He follows science and common sense, and his team is attentive and compassionate.
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Dr. Shah is incredibly thorough and kind. He has helped cure my daughter of her sesame allergy as well as other tree nuts. The care throughout the oral immunotherapy journey was exceptional.
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After 33 years of being deathly allergic to peanuts, I am finally free of the burden. I can eat with confidence without constant worry. Dr. Shah and his team go above and beyond to make the process as simple as possible.
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Our 8-year-old daughter graduated milk OIT and now confidently eats dairy as part of her normal diet. Worries about social events are gone. Dr. Shah is calm, kind, and thorough, and NP Janet was incredibly patient.
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Dr. Shah has completely changed my son's life. Within a year of starting OIT, he became fully desensitized to multiple nuts; years later, his allergy is fully reversed. Dr. Shah is intelligent, kind, and truly dedicated.
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Dr. Shah and his team provide an exceptional level of care that is unmatched. Their attention to detail and personalized care have allowed me to live free from food allergy limitations.
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Two family members with severe food allergies are now fully eating the foods that once sent them to the ER. The team treated us like family and was always available. Truly life-changing.
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I am immensely grateful to Dr. Shah and his wonderful staff for their life-changing work. They helped my daughter overcome her peanut and tree nut allergies and gave us a priceless gift. Thoughtful, compassionate, expert care at every visit.
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Dr. Shah and his team at both locations (Manhattan and Long Island) are truly amazing. His knowledge and expertise in treating food allergies is life-changing for so many adult and pediatric patients. Oral immunotherapy truly works, and the team will guide and help you throughout the entire journey. I have been successfully eating the foods that I once avoided thanks to Dr. Shah and his amazing team.
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Pioneering Food Allergy
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Dr. Atul Shah, MD, FACAAI, FAAAAI, is the founder of NY Food Allergy & Wellness & a renowned allergist with over 20 years of experience. With more than 15,000 success stories across children, teens, & adults, Dr. Shah’s expertise knows no age limits. He holds dual fellowships & has been honored with prestigious awards, including America’s Top Physician. Dr. Shah is a leader in allergy care, offering personalized, life-changing treatments.
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110 East 60th St., Suite 708
New York, NY, 10022
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