Allergic To Kissing? Perhaps
If you've ever had an allergic reaction to a kiss, it might not be the kiss that's turning you off. It might be the food the other person has been eating. Early Show Medical Correspondent Dr. Emily Senay has more on the risk of transmitting a food allergy through kissing.
Here is a Q&A with Dr. Senay:
Q: How easy is it to get an allergic reaction through kissing?
Dr. Senay: If you have a food allergy, it can happen easily. A food allergy is when the body's immune system reacts against a specific component in a food that is not normally harmful to the body. It doesn't take very much at all to provoke a reaction from the immune system, so even a tiny trace of food on a person's lips or mouth could be risky.
Q: What kinds of food cause allergies?
Dr. Senay: There are many different types of food that cause allergies to varying degrees in different people, but some foods cause the majority of allergies. These are common foods like milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts such as walnuts, pecans and almonds. But there are many other foods (such as shellfish) that also cause allergies.
Q: How serious is an allergic reaction to food?
Dr. Senay: When the immune system detects the food you're allergic to, it springs into action with what can be a very powerful response.
Mild symptoms include flushing, wheezing, hives or a skin rash. More severe reactions can include vomiting, difficulty breathing, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, even a very severe reaction called anaphylaxsis, which can result in death.
All it takes is for the food you're allergic to come in contact with your body, so kissing is a risk. A recent study of nut allergies found about 5 percent of people in the study had an allergic reaction through kissing. Most of the reactions were pretty mild, but one person had to be taken to the hospital for breathing problems.
Q: What can you do to prevent an allergic reaction to food from kissing?
Dr. Senay: The best way to avoid a food allergy is to avoid the food that causes it. So when it comes kissing reminding loved ones to wash their face and brush their teeth if they know they've been eating something you're allergic to. Also read ingredients on labels. But if you think you have a food allergy and aren't sure you have to talk to a doctor who can help you be prepared by having an Epi pen on hand or other medications in case of an emergency.