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Sesame Allergy Treatment
in San Mateo, CA

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Living with a sesame allergy can be stressful and disruptive, affecting daily meals, social events, and overall quality of life. Patients often seek testing and treatment due to concerns about accidental exposure, severe allergic reactions, or uncertainty about which foods are safe to eat. Understanding the triggers and receiving professional guidance can provide peace of mind, reduce the risk of emergencies, and help individuals and families navigate dietary restrictions with confidence.
Our clinics in San Mateo and Daly City offer comprehensive evaluation and management options designed to address these concerns and support long-term health and safety.
Table Of Contents
What Is a Sesame Allergy?
Symptoms of Sesame Allergy
Treatment Options for Sesame Allergy
What to Expect During Your Appointments
Candidates for Sesame Allergy Treatment
Benefits of Sesame Allergy Treatment
Cost of Sesame Allergy Treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area
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What Is a Sesame Allergy San Mateo, CA Banner

What Is a Sesame Allergy?

Sesame allergy is a food allergy that occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies proteins in sesame seeds or sesame-containing products as harmful. This reaction triggers the release of chemicals in the body that can cause a range of symptoms, from mild skin irritation to more serious responses, such as difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis.

Since sesame is commonly used in baked goods, sauces, dressings, and oils, it can be challenging to avoid, and even small amounts may trigger a reaction in sensitive individuals. Understanding this type of allergy is crucial for accurate diagnosis, effective management, and prevention of accidental exposure.

Symptoms of Sesame Allergy

Symptoms of sesame allergy can vary in severity and may appear within minutes of consuming sesame or foods containing sesame ingredients. Common signs include:

  • Itching
  • Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
Some individuals may also experience coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. In severe cases, sesame allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention.
Treatment Options for Sesame Allergy in San Mateo Banner

Treatment Options for Sesame Allergy

Sesame avoidance remains the most effective way to prevent adverse reactions in those with sesame allergy. This involves carefully reading ingredient labels, asking about food preparation when dining out, and being aware of hidden sources of sesame in packaged or restaurant foods. With guidance from an allergy specialist, individuals can learn practical strategies to minimize exposure and stay safe in everyday situations.
Epinephrine auto-injectors and nasal sprays are essential emergency treatments for severe allergic reactions caused by food allergens. These medications are designed to act quickly in the event of accidental ingestion of sesame or other triggering foods. Because sesame allergy can lead to life-threatening symptoms, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector or nasal spray and knowing how to use it properly is a critical part of managing this condition.
XOLAIR is an injectable medication that can help reduce allergic reactions in individuals with multiple food allergies, including those to sesame. It works by targeting the antibodies involved in allergic responses, helping to decrease the body’s sensitivity to specific allergens. While it does not replace the need for careful food management, XOLAIR can lower the risk of severe reactions and improve safety for individuals with complex allergy profiles.

What to Expect During Your Appointments

Your visit begins with an in-depth discussion of your symptoms, triggers, and medical history. Our doctor will take the time to understand your lifestyle, past allergic reactions, and any previous testing or treatments you may have received. This information helps guide the next steps toward an accurate diagnosis and effective management plan.
To confirm a sesame allergy, our doctor may recommend a series of tests, including skin prick tests and oral food challenges. Although sometimes not as sensitive as skin testing in some patients, blood tests can also give useful information in certain patients. These evaluations are performed under medical supervision to ensure safety and precision. The goal is to achieve an accurate diagnosis that clearly identifies whether sesame or other foods are causing your allergic responses.
Once the diagnosis is established, our doctor will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. This may include medications, allergen avoidance strategies, and guidance on emergency preparedness. You will also receive a Food Allergy Action Plan that outlines exactly what to do in case of accidental exposure or reaction.
During the treatment process with XOLAIR, our doctor will administer the medication through regular injections, typically every 2 to 4 weeks. Each session takes place under medical supervision to ensure safety and to monitor your body’s response. This is considered a critical period in therapy, as the medication works to reduce the immune system’s sensitivity to sesame and other allergens. We may adjust your medications or dosing schedule based on your progress and overall response.
Once the desired treatment response is achieved, you will move into the maintenance phase of XOLAIR therapy. During this time, our doctor will continue to monitor your condition, ensuring that the medication remains effective and well-tolerated. The goal is to maintain a consistent maintenance dose that helps control allergic reactions and provides long-term protection. Follow-up visits and ongoing medical supervision will help ensure continued safety and optimal results throughout your treatment.
Candidates for Sesame Allergy Treatment in San Mateo Banner

Candidates for Sesame Allergy Treatment

Evaluation and treatment for sesame allergy are recommended for individuals who have experienced allergic reactions after consuming foods containing sesame or related ingredients. Food-allergic patients who struggle to identify the cause of their symptoms or who have multiple sensitivities may also benefit from testing and medical guidance. Candidates often include those with a family history of allergies, a known diagnosis of food allergies, or anyone seeking clarification and control over their allergic triggers. Consulting with our clinic helps determine the most effective path forward for diagnosis, prevention, and long-term management.

Benefits of Sesame Allergy Treatment

Managing a sesame allergy effectively can make a meaningful difference in comfort, safety, and confidence when it comes to food choices and social situations. With proper diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care, patients can experience improvements that extend into many aspects of daily life. Benefits include:

  • Greater confidence in managing allergic reactions

  • Reduced anxiety about accidental exposure

  • Improved safety during meals and dining out

  • Better understanding of how to navigate dietary restrictions

  • Enhanced quality of daily life through personalized care and support

Cost of Sesame Allergy Treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area

The cost of sesame allergy evaluation and treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area can vary depending on several factors, including the type of testing performed, the complexity of the allergy, and the specific treatment plan recommended by your doctor. Additional considerations, such as follow-up visits, prescribed medications, and ongoing monitoring, may also influence the overall cost.

Our clinic provides clear information about pricing and available options during your consultation, helping you make informed decisions about your care.

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Receive Professional Food Allergy Treatment at Our Clinic

Allergies to sesame, cow’s milk, eggs, and tree nuts are among the most common and can have a significant impact on health and quality of life. Our professional allergists provide comprehensive care to help many patients identify and manage reactions to certain foods safely and effectively. Through advanced testing and personalized treatment plans, we can identify specific allergens and develop strategies to minimize exposure and alleviate symptoms. With professional guidance and ongoing support, patients can gain greater control over their condition and feel more confident in their daily interactions.
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FAQs

Sesame allergy can develop at any age, but it often appears early in life. Food-allergic children may show signs when first exposed to sesame-containing foods, while adults can also develop the allergy later in life. Diagnosis typically involves allergy skin tests and measurement of immunoglobulin E levels to confirm sensitivity and guide management.

Oral immunotherapy is not FDA-approved for anything besides peanut allergy, and its use for sesame is not always the best option. While some clinical studies have explored the idea of gradually introducing small doses of sesame to help manage allergic symptoms, these approaches carry risks, including anaphylaxis.  Patients should work with our team to treat sesame allergy using safer methods, including treatment with XOLAIR when medically appropriate.

Currently, there is no cure for sesame allergy. Individuals with an IgE-mediated food allergy, unless confirmed to no longer be allergic, should avoid exposure and may need to carry medications to manage reactions. Some approaches, such as OIT, aim to increase tolerance through introducing small amounts of allergen, but these require careful monitoring and management due to the risk of anaphylaxis. Injections with XOLAIR can help dramatically reduce the risk of a life-threatening reaction, but avoidance and vigilance on a regular basis remain essential for safety.
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First and foremost let me start by saying that these people did one hell of a job figuring out my sinus problems. When I first arrived there, I explained what was going on with me having excessive inflammation in the sinus…after they tested me, I found out that I was being exposed to dust mites which gave me a strong reaction. I followed the doctors guides lines in terms of cleaning my room and ever since, my sinus inflammation went away for good and now I have a healthy sinus. Thank you for everything.

- Johnathon T
Dr. Engler is great and his staff, both medical and administrative, are wonderful. Dr. Engler is competent, caring, and listens better than any doctor I’ve ever had, constantly and patiently asking if I have any more questions. The staff is great. The nurses are very friendly and helpful. The desk staff is the same. I have been going here over a year and have always received caring and competent treatment. I highly recommend them.
- Tom B
Hands down the best place to go for Allergies and Asthma. The staff is incredibly kind and caring and so professional and helpful. I’ve been going here for over 30 years and they have gone out of their way countless times to make sure that I was well-cared-for. The nurses are excellent and always make sure to ask how my family is doing not to mention that they give the most painless allergy shots around. They remember little details about me and always make sure to give me a lollipop for my son, even when he’s not with me. Brooke is a great diagnostician and listener and each time I have an appointment with her, I always leave feeling better. The same is true for Dr. Engler.

My 10 year old son also has allergies and asthma and the staff makes sure that he feels well taken care of and comfortable, despite his having Autism and ADHD. He actually looks forward to going there with me, whether it be for my allergy shots or even when he needed allergy skin testing. When you’re a patient at the Allergy and Asthma clinic, you are treated as if you are the only patient they have, even when the waiting room is full. Dr. Engler has hired truly excellent staff, from the front desk people to the nurses and medical assistants. If you have allergies and/or asthma and you live on the Peninsula or even in the city, I highly recommend that you visit the Allergy and Asthma Clinic. They are truly amazing and will make you feel so much better.

-Sandi S.
I had an amazing experience at this clinic. Dr. Engler and the staff were all extremely welcoming, warm, and thorough in their various lanes of work from the front desk to billing to the assistants to Dr. Engler himself.
One thing I wish I knew before coming in was that the food test covers 80 allergens, and the environmental test covers 80 allergens meaning if you want to do both you need to come two separate days. This is kind of a hassle but definitely worth it since you’ll be tested for 160 allergens whereas most clinics only test 80 total.
Through the tests I figured out what I was allergic to and was advised to use an over the counter medication which has drastically helped and eliminated the symptoms I was experiencing. Dr. Engler also covered all the things I needed to do to reduce my symptoms via my lifestyle which was super helpful with my symptom reduction as well. I’d highly recommend this clinic! Insurance covered the tests and visits. (I have anthem blue cross)
-Christina L
I’ve been a patient at The Allergy and Asthma Clinic for over 12 years, and I can’t speak highly enough of the care I’ve received. Growing up with severe pollen allergies, I’ve been on and off allergy shots for years, and this clinic has truly been a lifesaver for me.
From the moment you walk in, you’re treated like family. The staff is incredibly kind, caring, and genuinely invested in your well-being. I have never had a negative experience with anyone here; everyone is consistently friendly and supportive.
Dr. Engler is exceptional! He has a remarkable ability to quickly and effectively address any situation. His expertise and compassionate approach have made a significant difference in managing my allergies.
If you’re struggling with allergies or asthma, this is the place to go. I wholeheartedly recommend The Allergy and Asthma Clinic to anyone seeking top-notch care.
-Trevor C