So, I’ve been allergic to sesame as long as I can remember, but at first I had no idea what I was allergic to and it stayed that way for a very long time. I grew up in a Chinese household so sesame was in everything, and I frequently had issues with my mouth and tongue itching after meals but never put the two together. Once I reached adulthood, I determined that it indeed was sesame that I was allergic to and mostly cut it out of my diet.

Here’s where I’m really struggling. The allergy has been super minor most of my life, and I’ve never worried about cross contamination, a couple sesame seeds on bread or Asian food never drew pause from me because it was usually such a mild reaction that I just ignored it or took a Benadryl if it really bothered me. No need to chastise me for this I know it probably wasn’t wise lol. Lately, ever since I’ve drastically reduced my sesame consumption in an attempt to take better care of myself, my allergy has gotten way worse.

The other day, I had a friend in town who offered me these chips they got on their flight, not telling me they were sesame chips, and me not bothering to check before I ate one. The reaction was bad, my whole mouth got severely itchy, then painful with swelling– partially closing my throat, and then everything inside my mouth went numb and it stayed that way for hours.

I didn’t have access to Benadryl or an EpiPen, so it really frightened me that I’m probably playing Anaphylaxis Russian Roulette with my lackadaisical attitude to my allergy. Granted, I haven’t had sesame in such a large concentration since childhood. Any tips on staying away from sesame or even just support from those living with sesame allergies? It’s such an odd allergy because sesame oil and minuscule amounts never bother me, but sesame flour or whole sesame seeds in large concentrations will.

(If your advice is to go to a doctor, I appreciate it, but due to personal circumstances, I have no insurance nor the means to pay out of pocket.)