Flaxseed allergy: insights from a case series

Area of Science:

• Food allergy research
• Clinical immunology
• Dietary sensitization

Background:

• Flaxseed allergy is increasingly recognized due to its wider dietary inclusion.
• This condition is often underdiagnosed, posing a challenge for public health.
• Growing sensitization necessitates a better understanding of flaxseed allergy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present three distinct cases of flaxseed allergy.
• To evaluate the diagnostic tools for identifying flaxseed allergy.
• To discuss the challenges in diagnosing flaxseed allergy.

Main Methods:

• Clinical history assessment.
• In vivo testing (skin prick-to-prick).
• In vitro testing (serum specific IgE, singleplex and multiplex immunoassays).

Main Results:

• Case 1: Patient sensitized to flaxseed, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, soy, walnut, and hazelnut.
• Case 2: Patient exclusively sensitized to flaxseed.
• Case 3: Patient initially misdiagnosed with sesame allergy, later confirmed as flaxseed allergic.

Conclusions:

• Flaxseed allergy is a rare but emerging diagnostic challenge.
• Current diagnostic tests and ingredient labeling practices hinder accurate diagnosis.
• Regulatory bodies should consider flaxseed as a priority food allergen.