Cross Contamination Is Real And Could Kill The Ones You Love
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Cross Contamination Is Real And Could Kill The Ones You Love

If you don't have a life threatening allergy, don't talk about something you know nothing about.

89
Cross Contamination Is Real And Could Kill The Ones You Love
Author's photo

If you don't have a life-threatening allergy, you are truly blessed. You can eat what you want with no worries, you can enjoy a spring day without lugging around an Epi-pen in the event you're stung by something. You can live your life without worrying if your allergy is going to pop up somewhere unexpected. But if you don't have a life-threatening allergy, chances are you don't realize how dangerous cross-contamination can be.

Cross contamination is defined as the process when materials or microparticles transfer from one object to another. And it sucks. It absolutely sucks. Imagine you order your favorite dish.

In the kitchen, your food was prepared on a surface where a nutty dish had just been prepared. Boom. You have an allergic reaction. It's that easy and can happen to anyone with an allergy.

Allergies are on a large spectrum. Everyone who has a nut allergy doesn't react the same way. Everyone who has an insect allergy doesn't react the same way. I'm incredibly lucky. While I am highly allergic to tree nuts (anaphylaxis and possibly death if ingested), when I come in contact with them through my skin I merely break out in hives. However, someone else can have a worse reaction from merely coming in contact with their allergen.

This morning I was in the gym. I was doing my typical arm work out when all of a sudden that familiar itch came about. Within seconds my neck had broken out in hives and was as red as a stop light. I can only induce that the person who used the dumbbells before me had been eating nuts and when I went to move my necklace my hand transferred some of the particles onto my neck.

The point of this article is not to place irrational demands onto the public to watch their every move regarding common allergens, but to merely bring awareness to the cross contamination issue that so many people face on a daily basis.

In my hometown a little over a decade ago, a couple was having a picnic and the boyfriend (who had just eaten a PB&J) kissed his girlfriend who was highly allergic to nuts.

Within minutes she was dead. When I am in the cafeteria I see people carelessly use tongs meant for some type of nutty dessert to move a non-nutty dessert around. What people don't realize is even that simple act of using tongs that have come in contact with nuts on a different food without it can trigger a reaction.

You don't have to change your entire life. It is not your responsibility to watch out for people with allergens. But as a social duty, you should inform yourself of the dangers of cross-contamination and what to do if someone around you is having an allergic reaction.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

59245
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38301
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959749
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

197158
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments