When we were were children, there were always those kids in our class who were allergic to peanuts. Some would sympathize, but most would lament having to forgo the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in their lunches so that kid wouldn't get sick. We didn't understand, but we'd accommodate them, much to the dismay of certain parents. These types of parents seem to appear every year, saying things along the lines of, "Why don't they go eat somewhere else?" or "They should homeschool their kid; this isn't my problem!"
After a while, even us kids would agree with them, because it seemed so inconvenient for us. Who doesn't love a good Reese's treat in their Lunchable? For years, we walk around oblivious to the food allergic people around us because we just don't think about it. Sure, we lament the kids who have to live their entire lives not going to Chick-Fil-A or munching on a Snickers, but we never give it any real thought.
That is until we grow up and realize that there are more allergies than peanuts. Because, as it turns out, we're allergic to food too.
Fin fish, shellfish, or even gluten allergies are just a few that might not appear or be noticed until adulthood. But even the more common and severe allergies, such as peanuts, can rear their ugly heads when you get older. Now we have to avoid these foods like a virus. But old habits die hard. The same people who didn't understand as children are now even less understanding adults. While attitudes change and adapt, food allergic people are still left with one truth: exposure to their food allergens could result in death.
We've all seen that TV trope where someone accidentally ingests food they're allergic to and swell up to the size of the Goodyear blimp. It's funny, in context, but the reality of food allergies is much more complicated than that. Unfortunately, like those TV writers, many people in the real world trivialize food allergy symptoms because they've never had to deal with it. The effects of ingesting an allergen isn't limited to swelling and upset stomachs.
In fact, food allergy symptoms can include:
- Rashes and itching on any place of the body
- Hives of varying sizes on any place of the body
- Swelling
- Nasal congestion, including swelling of the throat or lungs
- Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
- Anxiety
- Chest pain
- Weak pulse
- Fainting
The monster of all reactions, anaphylactic shock, results in the drop of blood pressure that can lead to cardiac arrest, shock, inability to breathe, and in extreme cases, death.
Scary, but the protocols are obvious. Don't eat the allergen, don't die, right?
- Directly touching the allergen, which can lead to dermatitis
- Said allergen touching, cooking with, or prepared alongside an otherwise safe food, known as cross contact
- People eating said allergen and not washing their hands, leaving allergen residue on any surfaces they touch
- Inhalation of the proteins of the allergen either when it's cooking or when it is left out in the open
The sad reality of food allergies is that it only takes one protein to cause an allergic reaction, and in some instances, the allergy intensifies with every exposure. And anaphylaxis, which can lead to death, happens at random. Any exposure to an allergen can result in anaphylactic shock, even if the patient has never shown signs of allergy before.
Food allergy reactions are random, intense, and scary.
But as an adult? There is no teacher to make sure the peanuts stay away from your table.
Navigating the waters of undergrad is difficult enough, but having a life-threatening allergy to foods that people eat daily makes things more complicated than they should be. Kids bring food to class all the time, and especially when your meal plan is more complex than a few fast food booths, the reality is that food allergic people will have to adapt around the allergens. And that's fine. As someone who's allergic and intolerant to multiple foods, no one is responsible for my allergy except me. However, there are things that the general public could do to minimize the chance of us food allergic people getting sick.
- Wash your hands after you eat. This should be done anyways, for the sake of personal hygiene, but any number of foods could contain an allergen you don't know about. Even hand sanitizing could be enough to clean you off.
- Be mindful of the people around you. Sometimes people with food allergies are hesitant to speak up because people tend to brush them off. Your shrimp salad could be making the girl next to you nauseous, or your peanut butter crackers could be a little too close for your friend's liking.
- Check on your friends before cooking foods or going out. Don't assume that a food is okay for them to eat just because you think it is. Food allergic people have to be sure, and the only way to be sure is to read the labels or menus. Allergens can lurk in unsuspecting places, just make sure they have notice so they can be safe.
- Educate yourself on food allergies. Friends, families, and significant others can be very helpful to someone with food allergies. Familiarize yourself with what to do if they get sick. Learn how to use an EpiPen. Know the signs of an allergic reaction so you can help them in any way you can.
- Most importantly, don't be a jerk. Your fish-allergic friend cannot eat at Red Lobster, your dairy-allergic friend can't go out for ice cream, and making them feel bad about that will not change the fact that they can't have it. They aren't trying to be fussy, hurt your feelings, or make things complicated. They are simply trying to make sure that they don't get sick. Listening to them and being understanding can mean the difference between a fun evening and a trip to the hospital.
Living with food allergies is a total drag. There is nothing I miss more than being able to eat something without spending ten years slaving over the ingredients label and trusting it to be accurate. However, it doesn't have to be a death sentence. A few preventative and cautious steps on behalf of the people around me can make all the difference in the world.
