Age: 19
Allergen: Fish
Symptoms: Swollen tongue, swollen lips.
Where: On a bus
What’s the Story?
I just finished a canoe trip at the camp I was attending for the summer and we stopped for fish and chips on the way back to the camp. Ever since I was young I knew that I could eat fish, except salmon and cod. This stand was selling fried whitefish, which I couldn't recall having before, but was never told to avoid it. I ate it and within 15 minutes started showing signs of an allergic reaction when I was on the bus. I took anti-histamines and luckily it went away quickly. *Editor's note: administering an auto-injector is the recommended first line of defense against anaphylaxis rather than anti-histamines.
How could this have been prevented?
It was too risky for me to be trying new fish out in a remote location when already having allergies to several fish. I should have played it safe and had something that I knew would be okay for me.
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Age: 17
Allergen: Shellfish
Symptoms: Swollen throat, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness, stomach cramps
Where: Restaurant
What’s the Story?
I had gone out to eat at a Chinese restaurant with my family, and I decided to have the fried cucumber and fried noodles. I had eaten them before from this exact restaurant many times and never experienced a reaction before. About 2 minutes after I had taken the first bite of my meal, my throat started to itch. I didn't think much of it and kept eating, which I realize now was a bad idea. Within another 2 minutes, my throat had started to swell and I had hives all over my face and arms. I couldn't breathe and started to feel dizzy. I had severe stomach cramps and I knew that the reaction was serious. I was rushed to the hospital where I received an epinephrine injection.
How could this have been prevented?
My advice would be that if you know you are allergic to something, check to see if there is any cross-contamination in the kitchen where it is prepared. Also, don't brush a reaction off, even if it feels like a mild one. it could get worse quickly.
____________________________________
Allergen: Fish
Symptoms: Swollen tongue, swollen lips.
Where: On a bus
What’s the Story?
I just finished a canoe trip at the camp I was attending for the summer and we stopped for fish and chips on the way back to the camp. Ever since I was young I knew that I could eat fish, except salmon and cod. This stand was selling fried whitefish, which I couldn't recall having before, but was never told to avoid it. I ate it and within 15 minutes started showing signs of an allergic reaction when I was on the bus. I took anti-histamines and luckily it went away quickly. *Editor's note: administering an auto-injector is the recommended first line of defense against anaphylaxis rather than anti-histamines.
How could this have been prevented?
It was too risky for me to be trying new fish out in a remote location when already having allergies to several fish. I should have played it safe and had something that I knew would be okay for me.
____________________________________
Age: 17
Allergen: Shellfish
Symptoms: Swollen throat, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness, stomach cramps
Where: Restaurant
What’s the Story?
I had gone out to eat at a Chinese restaurant with my family, and I decided to have the fried cucumber and fried noodles. I had eaten them before from this exact restaurant many times and never experienced a reaction before. About 2 minutes after I had taken the first bite of my meal, my throat started to itch. I didn't think much of it and kept eating, which I realize now was a bad idea. Within another 2 minutes, my throat had started to swell and I had hives all over my face and arms. I couldn't breathe and started to feel dizzy. I had severe stomach cramps and I knew that the reaction was serious. I was rushed to the hospital where I received an epinephrine injection.
How could this have been prevented?
My advice would be that if you know you are allergic to something, check to see if there is any cross-contamination in the kitchen where it is prepared. Also, don't brush a reaction off, even if it feels like a mild one. it could get worse quickly.
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