BACKGROUND

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) seeds are increasingly used in bread and as laxatives. Hypersensitivity to linseeds has been infrequently described, and we report a case of anaphylaxis induced by linseed ingestion in a 39-year-old woman.

RESULTS

The clinical course, as well as positive skin prick tests and histamine release tests performed with linseed extracts, suggested a type I hypersensitivity as the underlying cause for the patient's multisystemic involvement. The presence of linum-specific IgE in her serum was confirmed by immunoCAP assay.

CONCLUSIONS

Linum seeds might be a source of allergic sensitization that should be taken into account due to its widespread distribution at health food stores.