Peanut allergy calls for vigilance

If Vicki Kerley seems reluctant to share a hug, her friends know not to take it personally.

“I'm not a huggy-type person and I really don't like to shake hands with anyone, because I never know who's been dipping into the peanuts,” Kerley said.

The Yuma resident is a certified scuba diver who has explored the Earth's waters, trekked through rainforests and jungles and traveled to Africa on an animal photography safari.

But the seemingly invincible woman can be unexpectedly defeated by something quite small: a peanut.

Kerley is severely allergic to them.

Ingesting peanuts or products with even a tiny amount of peanuts can send her into anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction marked by swelling of the throat or tongue, hives and trouble breathing. When it strikes, her life is at risk.

“There's no sneezing ... it's much more serious,” Kerley told the Yuma Sun.

Even touching items that peanut eaters have touched can have serious consequences for Kerley.

When shopping, she carefully reads ingredients on food labels, making sure foods don't contain peanut products.

When traveling to foreign countries, she types a message in that country's language on small cards, saying, “I'm allergic to peanuts and peanut products.”

“It's also the first phrase I learn when studying for a basic vocabulary of the country I'll be touring. I've only been spoken to rudely twice by the chefs.” Those incidents took place in Italy and at a Yuma restaurant.

“And I'm grateful that waiters check with the chef on what foods I should avoid. I really appreciate their kindness in dealing with the issue. It's really a drag to have any food allergy.”

Needless to say, peanuts are banned from Kerley's home and vehicles.

“Some people don't believe that just touching a car door handle that has been used by someone eating peanuts can so easily affect me,” she explained.

“No one has to say they've eaten peanuts. As soon I'm connected with it, my whole body is going to be in uncomfortable mode, especially my eyes. If I eat anything that has peanuts or peanut products, I'm going to be so sick for a couple of days.”

Not surprisingly, Kerley said, when one has a food allergy, “the whole family has it in a way, because their enjoyment of peanuts is limited.”

Kerley takes “extreme caution” when she leaves her home. Her husband wipes down dining tables, salt and pepper shakers, airplane seats and arm rests, anything that could have been touched by someone eating peanuts.

When grocery shopping, she's especially careful when buying baked goods, cereals, cookies, crackers, candy and chocolate.

“Asian is always a concern,” she noted.

Most food products disclose when the item was prepared in a facility that also processes peanuts. “I take my chances with those foods, but if it states there might be peanut particle mixed in, that item goes back on the shelf.”

Also, before buying food or treats for their dogs, the Kerleys check the ingredients to make sure there are no peanuts.

She says that the food industry has made great strides when it comes to including allergy information on labels.

When traveling, she carries an anaphylaxis kit with a syringe and a couple of pills.

“The two times I needed it, I never had the nerve to use the syringe. My husband took me to the hospital where I was shot up with adrenaline then given something to come down.”

The national Centers for Disease Control estimates that 12 million Americans have food allergies of some kind.

The Food Allergy Initiative notes that having a food allergy shouldn't stop anyone from enjoying life to the fullest. But it does present challenges to the sufferer and their family.

“Since we don't yet have a medication that can prevent an allergic reaction, you will have to take every precaution to avoid problem foods. That means that you will have to make changes in your day-to-day life — at home and away, when eating out, at work or in school,” according to the FAI website www.faiusa.org.

Dr. John A. Anderson of the Allergy and Asthma Care of Arizona in Yuma advises sufferers to “No. 1, avoid peanuts if possible, and No. 2, be prepared for possible exposure.”

Anderson recognizes that while the immediate family might stay away from peanuts, an allergy-sufferer might come in contact with peanuts at work, in school, in a caregiver setting or other situations.

He said peanuts don't penetrate unbroken skin, but it's possible to get a reaction when peanut particles become airborne, such as when someone opens a bag of peanuts in an airplane and the particles fly through the air. A reaction would also happen when a sufferer touches a surface that came in contact with peanuts and then the person rubs his eyes.

Anderson noted that parents should be especially careful in school settings.

“They can't control what others bring to school,” Anderson said. “It's a good idea to have an action plan.”

The FAI notes that a reaction to food can range from a mild response to anaphylaxis. Fortunately, once an anaphylactic reaction starts, a medication called epinephrine can stop it in its tracks.

Anderson recommends that the family have an auto-injector that administers epinephrine on hand, as well as one at work, in school or with caregivers.

“If there's an allergic reaction, administer the Epi-Pen and then call 911 or go to the hospital. The Epi-Pen is not a complete treatment,” Anderson said.

The FAI agrees, noting that anaphylaxis should always be treated as a medical emergency.

“Even if medication seems to control the reaction, you should get to an emergency room as quickly as possible so you can receive more care.”

The FAI says that thanks to the effectiveness of epinephrine and a growing awareness of the seriousness of food allergies, deaths from anaphylaxis are not common.

“Those at highest risk for fatal reactions appear to be teenagers or young adults who have both asthma and a food allergy and who do not receive epinephrine in time.

“The longer the delay in receiving this life-saving medication, the more severe a reaction is likely to become,” the FAI says.

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Steps recommended for people suffering with food allergies:

• Read food labels carefully. If the food doesn't have a label, don't eat it.

• Teach children about their allergies. Help them learn to ask questions or to refuse foods if they're not sure of what's in them. Children and food allergies can be tricky. They may not be old enough to read labels, and it's hard to predict when a friend might want to share a cookie or something that contains the food that makes them allergic.

• Avoid restaurant-prepared foods that might have ingredients to which you are allergic. Unless you are sure, do not eat it.

• If you have had an anaphylactic reaction to a food, you should wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace stating that you have a food allergy and may have serious reactions.

• If you have had an anaphylactic reaction in the past, ask your doctor if you should carry a prescription syringe of epinephrine.

• Pay attention to early warning signs and symptoms. Many food-allergic people report tingling in the mouth, swelling of the lips and an itchy or scratchy throat as soon as the food enters their mouth.

• If you think a reaction is starting, call 911. Symptoms can quickly become overwhelming. Teach friends and relatives how they can help you.

Source: www.myoptumhealth.com