I've just been diagnosed with sunflower/sesame allergy.
Let's see, 10 years ago, I had a reaction while eating multi-grain bread. At the time, I had just had a baby, had just been diagnosed with cervical cancer, and my mom was dealing with lung cancer. So, instead of getting tested, I just practiced avoidance. I didn't eat anything multigrain, and I didn't eat any bread if I didn't know exactly what it was.
Fast forward 10 years, a co-worker brought some snacks to work. I had never tried kale chips, so I decided to give it a shot. Within seconds my mouth and throat were itching. I got some antihistamine, but it continued to get worse. I decided to go to the minor med, but realized quickly that I was in no shape to drive. Ended up going into anaphylactic (sp) shock. Apparently, even the EMT was scared.
I had kept the bag of kale chips, and took it with me when I went to the allergist. Kale, sesame, sunflower, and tree nuts. The doctor did a blood test since I had such a bad reaction. Sunflower and sesame came back positive, with the sunflower much more extreme. The nurse told me sunflower oil would probably be safe, but the doctor told me no way, no how.
Anyway, now I'm checking labels on everything. These "sunflower and/or canola oil" labels are killing me. Especially when it's stuff I've been eating, with no problems. Sesame doesn't seem to be as much of a struggle; I don't see it on labels very often.
I'd love to find a list of all the various names of these things.