Kiss of Death? For Allergy Sufferers, Locking Lips Can Kill

(CBS) Got allergies? Watch out where you plant your lips.

For some especially sensitive allergy suffers, the simple act of kissing someone who has ingested an offending food or drug can trigger a serious allergic reaction, according to new research presented at a recent meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Even a peck could lead to swelling of the lips or throat, rash, hives, vomiting, or even graver results, the organization's president, Dr. Sami Bahna, said in a written statement.

"If you have food allergies, having an allergic reaction immediately after kissing someone who has eaten the food or taken oral medication that you are allergic to isn't highly unusual," Bahna said.  "But some patients react after their partner has brushed his or her teeth or several hours after eating. It turns out that their partners' saliva is excreting the allergen hours after the food or medicine has been absorbed by their body."

Can allergic kisses be prevented? There's no guarantee, say allergists, but having the non-allergic partner brush his/her teeth and avoid the offending food or medication for up to 24 hours prior to the smooch can help, according to the statement.

So it might make sense for allergy sufferers to think twice before puckering up.