Life with a food allergy is not necessarily a common experience. Roughly 6 percent of adults and children in the United States have a food allergy. Living with an uncommon food allergy is even more rare and may present unique challenges.

For example, you may need to be more careful when reading food labels. As a member of MyFoodAllergyTeam explained, “A product was billed as hypoallergenic, but I’m allergic to the last two ingredients, orange juice and lemon juice.”

Some food allergies are more common than others. Traditionally, these are the top eight food allergies:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Tree nuts
• Peanuts
• Wheat
• Soy

This list shows the most common food allergens, not all existing food allergens. Food allergens outside of this list are considered uncommon.

In this article, we’ll discuss several uncommon food allergies, their surprising food triggers, and their symptoms. You’ll also learn about how to manage them. Be sure to talk to a doctor about allergy testing if you think you’ve had an allergic reaction to food.

1. Sesame Allergy

Allergies to sesame are becoming more common. It’s estimated that at least 0.2 percent of adults and children in the United States experience a sesame allergy. It’s becoming so common that in 2021, it became the ninth major food allergen in the United States. As of January 2023, it must be labeled as an allergen on packaged food and supplements in the country.

Because these changes are recent, not all foods containing sesame have it listed on the label. Sesame may fall under vague descriptions like “natural flavors.” Be sure to read all food labels thoroughly and discuss a possible sesame allergy with your doctor.

Beyond plain sesame seeds, you can find sesame in these common products:

• Tahini and other food pastes
• Hummus
• Asian cuisine
• Pet foods
• Cosmetics
• Medications
• Baked goods
• Chips

2. Red Meat Allergies

Formally called alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), an allergy to red meat is uncommon. It typically develops after a certain type of tick bite. Ticks feed on blood and typically live in wooded areas or grasslands. Some ticks have a sugar molecule in their saliva called alpha-gal. If a person gets bit by one of these ticks, alpha-gal can trigger an immune system response to red meat.

While the exact number of people in the United States with AGS is unknown, red meat allergies are not common. If you develop AGS, be aware that you can find alpha-gal in the following foods:

• Pork
• Beef
• Lamb
• Buffalo
• Venison
• Gelatin
• Cow’s milk
• Certain medications, cosmetics, and supplements

Symptoms of AGS vary from person to person. They may not be the same between reactions. They can include any common food allergy symptoms, from digestive issues to hives to anaphylaxis.

3. Garlic and Garlic-Adjacent Allergies

Garlic is a staple ingredient in homes worldwide. While many people can’t resist garlic, people with a garlic allergy can’t consume or touch it without an allergic reaction. Garlic allergies are uncommon and can cause varied reactions. Your reactions also may vary depending on whether the garlic is cooked or raw.

Garlic allergies can lead to cross-reactive allergic reactions with other related foods. If you have a garlic allergy, you might also be allergic to chives, shallots, or onions. Yet, some people experience allergic reactions to garlic alone. Be sure to talk with an allergist if you experience any allergic symptoms after touching or eating foods containing garlic or similar vegetables.

4. Fruit Allergies

Fruit allergies are rare, but they have been on the rise in recent decades. They’re extremely diverse and can cause many different reactions. One reaction — the most common — is oral allergy syndrome (OAS). OAS affects your mouth alone, causing symptoms like swelling and numbness of the lips and tongue.

A member of MyFoodAllergyTeam wrote about their OAS, saying, “Throughout my adult life I avoided fruits because I would get a reaction after eating most fruits. You name it: itchy mouth, rash, throat itching, and nausea.”

People can experience allergic reactions to the peels, pulp, or seeds of fruits such as:

• Kiwis
• Bananas
• Avocados
• Peaches
• Citrus fruits (lemons, limes, oranges, or grapefruit)

Latex-Fruit Syndrome

Surprisingly, fruit allergies are closely aligned with latex allergies. Roughly 30 percent to 50 percent of people with a latex allergy also experience allergic reactions to fruit. This is called latex-fruit syndrome.

Latex-fruit syndrome occurs because many fruits contain proteins similar to those found in rubber tree sap, which is used to create latex. You can find latex in rubber gloves, balloons, erasers, elastic, and other common rubber products.

Diagnosing and Managing Uncommon Food Allergies

The path to diagnosis for food allergies isn’t always straightforward, especially when you have an uncommon food allergy. Yet, it’s important to consult an allergist to identify which food type triggers your allergic reactions. They might use multiple tests to confirm or rule out a suspected uncommon food allergy, including:

• A physical exam
• Skin prick tests
• Blood tests
• Elimination diets
• Oral food challenges

It’s important to be careful during food-allergen testing due to the risk of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. Because of this risk, your allergist will supervise you closely while conducting oral food challenges.

The best way to avoid allergic reactions is to avoid the foods that cause them. However, this isn’t always feasible. Your allergist can treat your food allergy according to its type and severity. They may prescribe antihistamine medications or have you carry an epinephrine auto-injector if you accidentally touch or ingest your food allergen.

It’s important to work with an allergist to manage an uncommon food allergy rather than treat it yourself. Learning tips for eating out safely with food allergies can help you eat out with less stress.

Find Your Team

MyFoodAllergyTeam is the social network for people with food allergies and their loved ones. On MyFoodAllergyTeam, more than 41,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with food allergies.

Are you living with a food allergy? Is your food allergy uncommon? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.