• Allergies
• Allergic Reaction

Sesame Allergy: Symptoms and Treatment Options

Published: February 17, 2025
Updated: February 17, 2025
4 mins

Sesame seeds are a big part of many globally used sauces, breads, and major recipes. The sesame seed comes from the Pedaliaceae plant family. It originates from parts of Asia and East Africa. Sesame seed has many uses, from grain flour to oil and cosmetics. However, it's also the number one seed allergen in the U.S.

It’s easy to accidentally be exposed to sesame. While it is required to be listed as an allergen on packaged foods, sesame seeds can hide in natural flavoring and under other names on ingredient lists.

Food allergies affecting your daily life?

Get relief with a personalized care plan. Schedule an online consultation to discuss your symptoms and find effective solutions.

Get Started

What is a Sesame Allergy?

When people develop an allergy to sesame seeds, it’s most often an immune response to sesame protein. Proteins in white sesame seeds are more allergenic than in black sesame seeds. Those with a sesame allergy may experience more intense symptoms after consuming white sesame seeds than they do when eating black sesame seeds.

A sesame allergy is often genetically passed on from one or both parents. It’s one of the more difficult allergens to detect and is expected to increase in the coming years. It’s often hidden behind other ingredient names on food labels.

What are the Symptoms of a Sesame Allergy?

Not everyone experiences the same symptoms with a sesame allergy. Those with a sesame allergy may experience a mix of respiratory, skin, and digestive symptoms.

Symptoms of a sesame allergy may include the following:

• Hives

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Runny nose

• Tongue and mouth swelling

• Nausea

• Wheezing

• Coughing

• Shortness of breath

Be sure to seek emergency help if you experience shortness of breath or other severe symptoms. Those with a severe sesame allergy are more likely to experience anaphylaxis — a life-threatening allergic reaction that can lead to trouble breathing and heart arrhythmia.

How is a Sesame Allergy Diagnosed?

A healthcare provider may provide you with an allergy test to know if a person has an allergy to sesame seeds or any other major allergens. 

Typically, a skin prick allergy test consists of safely placing a small amount of an allergen on the skin in the presence of a medical professional. Based on how the body responds, a healthcare provider can make an accurate diagnosis.

Foods to Avoid if You Have a Sesame Allergy

Sesame seeds can easily cross-contaminate with other foods due to the properties of sesame protein. When going out to eat, it’s important to disclose your allergy to a server to avoid accidental exposure. 

Common foods to avoid if you have a sesame allergy include:

• Bread

• Crackers

• Marinades

• Cereal

• Oils

• Certain salad dressings

• Tahini

• Sesame seed oil

• Hummus

Unexpected sources of sesame

Despite its unique taste and smell, it's not always obvious when sesame is an active ingredient in a food or product.

Sources of sesame seed that are not discussed as often include:

• Soaps

• Ointments

• Testosterone medications

• Progesterone medications

• Protein and energy bars

• Soups

• Veggie burgers

• Falafel

Sesame seed oil is an ingredient used in some hair products, lotions, and creams. Be sure to check the ingredients list in your favorite products if you notice skin issues.

How to Treat a Sesame Allergy

The best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid foods with sesame seeds as much as possible.

Many people have a sesame allergy as children and grow out of it as they get older. Gradual exposure over time may reduce a person’s sensitivity to sesame and other seed allergies. This process is similar to oral immunotherapy.

Oral immunotherapy is the gradual exposure to doses of sesame seed to desensitize the immune system to sesame proteins. However, this is not always effective for everyone with a sesame allergy.

Tips for Living with a Sesame Allergy

Fortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that packaged foods disclose whether or not they contain sesame. It’s considered one of nine major allergens in the U.S.

Try your best to read the ingredient list on the packaged foods you eat to check for sesame as an allergen. Sesame seeds can be easy to miss as an ingredient. Some labels have sesame listed under different names like natural flavor and spices. It’s common to see “sesame” listed in parentheses next to these phrases. 

A distributor may also use the phrase “may contain sesame” or “produced in a facility with sesame” if there is a risk of cross-contamination in the distribution center.

Those with a sesame allergy are more likely to also develop a peanut allergy. Be mindful of how you feel after eating foods with other nut and seed allergens.

A healthcare provider may recommend carrying an EpiPen (epinephrine injection) for emergencies if you have a severe sesame allergy.

Where Can I Learn More About Food Allergies?

At LifeMD, you can speak with a licensed healthcare provider about what to do if you suspect you’re allergic to sesame. They can give you tips for keeping yourself safe during an allergic reaction and useful steps for finding out if you have other seed or nut allergies.

Book an appointment today to learn more about managing a sesame allergy.

LifeMD makes it easy to stay on top of your health because talking to a doctor, filling your prescriptions, getting your labs done—and more—are all easy and cost-effective. Come discover a healthcare solution built around you and your life.

Connect with a doctor now!

Join Now