Comments on: Flax Seed Allergy…what next?!?

By: Lyriclemon

Lyriclemon — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 07:15:52 +0000

I have landed in Intensive Care because of severe anaphylaxis from eating flax seed (which was recommended for its health benefits by one of my doctors) and a couple of years before that, I was rushed to Intensive Care with anaphylaxis due to eating blackberries. I have found that I can eat one or two blackberries now without dying, but I have to be very careful. I need to avoid flax seed permanently in any amount. Once when I was at a New Year’s Eve party I was eating a piece of fruit, and it landed on the lid of an opened peanut butter jar. I picked up the fruit and resumed eating it. Moments later, the hostess asked me in alarm, “Why is your face so red?” I started wheezing and almost passed out. It turned out that the peanut butter contained flax seed, and the tiny trace of it that was on the inside of the lid and had transferred to my piece of fruit almost killed me.

A question I have is that a person mentioned (on this thread) that the microwaveable wraps containing flax seed can make an allergic person sick. In what ways does this type of illness manifest itself? A rash? Or anaphylaxis?

By: anurao

anurao — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 03:28:23 +0000

Hi Gabree,
Thanks for visiting Allergy Foodie. I dont know much about prostrate problems so, I dont want to hazard an answer because it could be errorneous. Wishing you the very best in trying to figure out if there is a connection between flax and prostrate issues. Do let us know if you find anything about it so it can be useful to others who may have a similar question.
Thank you,
Anu

By: CJ

CJ — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:33:51 +0000

I realized I was allergice to flax seed about 3 or so years ago. I was eating a cliffbar and got very sick, symptons included: funny taste in my mouth, itchy throat AND ears, followed by sharp pains in my stomach, headache and later it felts almost like food poisoning. Vomiting and sever stomach cramps and diarrhea. After a few hours the symptons passed and i didnt think much of it. However i later tried a multigrain cereal sample and had the same reaction. At this point i tried to stay away from anything ‘whole’ grain or products that looked like their where alot of nuts. Of course after a few more incidents i gave up and went to the doctor to find out that i am allergic to flaxseed in all forms.
It seems that their are alot of benefits to having flaxseed in your diet, i get the weird look when i do order something that could possible have flaxssed in it, the people are usually not sure or i am being incredible picky. Once i tell them i am allergic they are more prone to check.

Of all the things to be allergic too!!!

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By: Gabree Amlak

Gabree Amlak — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:16:00 +0000

Appreciative of your blog.Hoping that you could assist me in finding a possible connection between Flax allergy and prostrate problems.I have found that urination is quite difficult after ingesting
pumpkin seeds or pistacho nuts and humous.Do you have any information that might suggest that Flax
seeds have or could have a similiar reaction Thank you for your response.
Min Amlak

By: Ali

Ali — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:11:28 +0000

Emili,
I’m so glad to hear that you have found the information here helpful. It is so difficult to get a flax allergy diagnosis because so many doctors only know the benefits of flax and don’t look to the possibilities of allergies. I went through so many tests that turned up negative in addition to being misdiagnosed, resulting in more medical problems brought on by unnecesary medications. I only hope that this information reaches many more people who are suffering and not yet aware about this “hidden” allergy. I wish you and your husband well.
Ali
)

By: Emili

Emili — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 01:56:58 +0000

Thank-you so much for all this information. My husband was admitted in the hospital one night after I fed him some multi-grain pasta. 2 bags of demoral and 4 hours later, the doctor told us he had a “flax sensitivity”. We deduced this after reviewing what he had eaten when this had happened to him several times prior to this incident. We never know when some breads and pastas have come in contact with flax, so we just avoid all bread products or pastas altogether and choose to go the gluten free route. He has been feeling really good, so we will continue to eat a gluten free diet!

By: chelsea

chelsea — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:12:05 +0000

You just had a normal flushing reaction to Niacin… If you’ve been eating flaxseed cereal for a year prior to this, then my best guess is that you weren’t having a reaction to the flax. I know everyone’ reaction is different, but for me… I cannot even eat ONE seed without going into a fit of projectile vomiting for at least the next 2-8 hours… I don’t get the swelling in the throat as some do… so it COULD have been the flax… but doubtfully.

There are two types of Niacin sold in stores… the flushing kind and the non-flushing kind… You’ll see “no flush” on the bottle of the non-flushing kind. Most multi-vitamins contain that one because you don’t get the redness and the tingling hot skin… If you took 500mg of Niacin everyday, the reaction would slowing diminish to a quick one minute flush if any at all as your body got used to it… Niacin is just a B vitamin… it’s water soluble and very difficult to get too much. I wouldn’t stay away from Niacin as it is VERY good for your heart and circulation… I would just start with a very low mg. And definitely check with your doctor before making any changes to your vitamin regime. You are technically supposed to inform them on any new supplements added to your diet, most people don’t know that. Good luck.

By: Elaine Gabel

Elaine Gabel — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:50:02 +0000

Hello, I have also been on this terrible journey for about a year now. Everytime that I would have a bread, even a pretzel, (that I purchased at a flea market that was stuffed with cheese that was brushed with an oil that had flaxseed in it ) granola bars, cereal with Flax seed in it I would have a terrible reaction. I would first have a really itchy throat, tongue and then after about 45 minutes or so, severe diarreha, and vomiting end to end for an entire day. I have to be so careful now and read every label and when we are eating out make sure that nothing has flaxseed in it. Please take charge of your health and make notes when something you have ate does not agree with you. Thanks for all of the info.

By: Vito Reyes

Vito Reyes — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:43:10 +0000

If only I had a quarter for every time I came here! Amazing writing.