In late November, a 15-year-old Canadian girl died from her peanut allergy. She had kissed her boyfriend, who had eaten a peanut butter sandwich earlier in the day, and suffered a severe reaction. She died after spending several days in the hospital.
Some 1.5 million Americans are allergic to peanuts and up to 200 of them die every year. In allergic person, peanuts cause the body's immune system to release large amounts of the chemical histamine. In extreme cases, this causes swelling, itching and hives, and can even interrupt breathing.
This site provides an animation of how a food can trigger an allergic response in some people.
This site offers helpful advice for teens with allergies so they can go on dates safely.
This site offers links to lots of resources, include nut-free foods.
And this site has links to lots of different information on peanut allergies.
i think this is sad. i feel really bad for those people with allergies. and the ones that die. My uncle is allergic to almost everything. its really sad. I hope those girls' parents are felling a lil bit better. R.I.P. canadian girl.
The coroner in Canada is now saying that the teenage girl did NOT die of an allergic reaction to peanut butter. The news report does not indicate what did cause her death -- he cannot disclose that until he submits his final report. But he is certain that kissing her boyfirend who had just eaten a peanut butter sandwhich did not kill her.
Nevertheless, peanut allergies are still a serious health risk. People who suffer life-threatening allergies --and people who interact with them -- must exercise caution.
We live with life-threatening allergies. Even a milligram of protein can kill someone with allergies. Although this girl didn't die from kissing her boyfriend, it's important for people with allergies and those around them to be aware of symptoms of a reaction and know how to react in an emergency.
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