Allergy mystery

A 13-year-old California girl is a victim of a fatal allergic reaction and it is something that didn't have to and shouldn't have happened. Natalie Giorgi had a severe reaction to a dessert that included peanut butter. She technically shouldn't have died, due to the administration of three injections of epinephrine, and epinephrine is the only treatment known to prevent a serious allergic reaction from becoming fatal. The young teen knew she had the allergy and reportedly spit out the peanut butter and chocolate glazed rice crispie treat as soon as she realized what she had bitten into. This is a tragedy, and one that has puzzled the food allergy community, since all appropriate steps were taken to prevent death.

I have long feared being prescribed an epi-pen. It is not the prescription that I fear, as it would potentially save my life if needed, but I fear getting to a point where I need an epi-pen. My allergies have grown stronger over the years. The allergy that plagues me the most emotionally is apples. I am allergic due to my tree allergies, but I love the juicy, meaty fruit. Until a couple of months ago I didn't bother staying away. My reaction to them wasn't bad enough to warrant cessation, in my opinion. However, I know my friends and family wished I would stop eating them. Well, I recently had a stronger reaction to my formerly favorite fruit. Instead of just feeling my lips slightly itch, burn, and swell, I felt increased levels of those reactions in addition to an increase in my temperature and reddening of my face and neck. I also took issue with itching dermis on my neck and hives on my arms. This enhanced reaction was enough for me to chuck the apple into the trash (after only two bites) and swear uncooked apples off for good. I haven't touched them since. I fear one of these days I will get to the point where a doctor will tell me I need to start carrying the emergency medication at all times. Heck, I may already be at a point when I should be told to carry it. Only time will tell if and when it is needed.