Sunflower oil and lecithin tolerance in a child with sunflower seed food allergy
Question:
9/13/2021
A patient's mother called to report he had a SunButter and jelly sandwich on the bread he eats regularly. He developed hives to his mouth and cheek. Mother assumed it's a sunflower seed allergy. I did obtain RAST testing for sunflower since I do not have the ability to skin test for this allergen. His Sunflower IgE was 7.26. She is questioning if sunflower oil and sunflower lecithin is ok for him despite the SunButter reaction?
Answer:
The reference standard test to confirm current tolerance or hypersensitivity to a food is the oral challenge. The amount of allergenic sunflower seed proteins in sunflower seed oil or lecithin would be expected to be extremely low. OK to proceed to a sunflower seed oil and/or sunflower seed lecithin food challenge, if the patient's family is interested in confirming current tolerance. Alternatively continue to avoid these products.
I hope this information is helpful for you, your patient, and your patient's family.
Eric Macy, MD, MS, FAAAAI