According to a report in JAMA Network Open, about 41% of people who did have a physician-diagnosed sesame allergy didn’t actually have convincing symptoms, and only 21% of children and 24% of adults in the study had symptoms. Overall 53% of children in the study had a reported sesame allergy, but only 21% had a history of convincing symptoms. And while 44% of adults had a reported a sesame allergy, only 24% had convincing symptoms. Only 37% of children and adults with convincing sesame allergy symptoms reported use of epinephrine to treat a severe allergy attack. Just 55.5% of the kids and 37.7% of the adults with convincing sesame allergy symptoms had a doctor diagnose them with sesame allergies. At the same time, about 41% of people who did have a physician-diagnosed sesame allergy didn’t actually have convincing symptoms. About 37% of people with a convincing sesame allergy reported having had at least one severe reaction to sesame.
Source: reuters.com
Lightbulb Moment: This speaks to the reality of consumers being misdiagnosed regarding allergies. This can lead to unnecessary diet restrictions and unwarranted fears. Dealing with allergy fears in your business? Culinary Tides can help.