Imagine being in an airplane, 37,000 feet off the ground and your throat begins to constrict after a seemingly harmless meal, a meal you had eaten before. That was me last Friday night.
I briefly mentioned this scare in yesterday’s post but after one wonderful reader helped me figure out another new food allergy, I feel like I should rewind a bit.
Friday morning I woke up with what I call “collagen lips”, something I’ve only experienced before with my mango allergy. Sure, these voluptuous lips look like a good time from far away but they’re really, really unpleasant. If the doctor weren’t so conveniently close to my hospital internship I probably would never have gone, but since I was right there, I popped in to document this bizarre new allergic reaction and also requested a referral to an allergist. Clearly my mango allergy is crossing over to other foods and/or beauty products unbeknownst to me and I’m kind of over the collagen lips thing! Oh and she prescribed me an epi pen in case I went somewhere remote and drank a bunch of mango juice by accident. Totally logical in my opinion.
After a couple doses of Benadryl and thinking I was in the clear for the time being, I grabbed a leftover breakfast burrito from the fridge before heading out the door for my evening flight to Boston. It was the cheaper and healthier dinner option but also a safe bet since I had eaten the first half earlier in the week with no adverse reactions. I scarfed it down minutes before boarding the plane.
About the time we reached our cruising altitude on that flight, I felt my throat begin to tighten up a bit. Unnerving, yes, but I talked myself out of getting overly concerned, at least for the first 5 minutes. I’m sure some of it was anxiety but suddenly my heart began to race and I figured, better safe than sorry. I reached for my Benadryl and could barely open the package my hands were shaking so much. I even went as far as alerting the flight attendant to my potential allergy attack just in case something serious happened. I’m pretty sure the lady next to me was freaking out inside.
No epi pens were needed though I’m not even sure they had any on the plane and I hadn’t yet filled my prescription, so thankfully that worked out in my favor. My allergic reaction wasn’t anaphylactic by any means (I could always get enough oxygen) but when your throat’s constricting from some mysterious allergy there’s really no way to talk yourself out of thinking the worst.
I spent most of the weekend afraid to eat which is incredibly unfortunate because there was so much good food around since it was my favorite aunt’s 70th birthday. My mom offered me a bite of her lobster roll and I had to pass. I just couldn’t stomach the thought of a potential seafood allergy reaction. Crazy, know.
I also had no desire to blog Friday night or all day Saturday. So unlike me but I just wasn’t feeling myself.
Long story not very short, in the past week, I’ve developed an allergy to avocado. Those “collagen lips” were most likely caused by this salad and my flight fright by the avocado in my leftover breakfast burrito. Thank you, Mr. or Ms. “Allergist” who commented on yesterday’s post and helped me piece together the puzzle. I actually have not yet seen an allergist which is why I was never made aware of the cross between mango and avocado but I’m making my appointment today!
So, while this means no more guacamole for the rest of my life, I’m relieved for now and am staying away from all other fruits that might also be related. This includes papaya, pineapple, bananas, kiwi, peaches and the list goes on. (Sorry Kort, the peaches you left are so appreciated and will be eaten and enjoyed by my coworkers!) Oh and then there’s latex. I’m not sure how possible it is to avoid that working in the hospital but I’ll see what I can do and get my butt to an allergist, pronto.
Hope your weekends were less eventful, or at least not as scary as mine was! I promise I’ll have a recap of the fun festivities tomorrow!
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Haha I started reading this post and was like “Thank God she isn’t allergic to peaches” then I read further and was like oh no… It’s the thought that counts, right?
I am so sorry about your recent allergy! It makes me so sad, but i’m sure once you get an official diagnosis your mind will be much more at ease and life will return a little back to normal! I’m just glad we didn’t lose our gran on that flight and that she will be back to normal soon!
PS- as uncomfortable as the collagen lips were, i’m sure they were really hot and you totally rocked them at the same time :)
I did the best I could with my collagen lips but I’ll be happy when they return back to normal. Never thought I’d miss my little lips!
Thanks again for the peaches – the RDs in the office LOVED them and they made me smile last night. Next time you can bring chocolate covered espresso beans I guess! xoxo
ugh….sorry girl! that sucks :( hopefully a trip to the allergist will have you solidify the list of stuff to avoid so you don’t have to worry so much anymore!
Thanks, girl! You’re so right. I don’t know what’s worse, the actual allergic reaction or the anxiety of one!
Hi,
Love your blog. Just wanted to leave a comment re: the allergic reaction. Notbto freak you out……Make sure you follow through and get tested. The same exact thing happened to me. Me and my doctor were convinced it was strawberries and after being tested turned out to be totally something else! Apparently you can have a delayed reaction up to 48+ hours later in my case it was OTC medicine I had taken almost 72 hours prior!
Good luck!
Thanks for the comment! My appointment is booked – got the name of a recommended doc who is supposed to be great with food allergies. Now I just have to wait until June 18th!
I know that feeling all too well… I’m allergic to all pit/stone fruits. Peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, cherries, mangos…. Oddly, though, I’m ok with avocado (knock wood). You might notice a difference with almonds too, since the almond shell is related to the peach pit. (I can’t eat them raw; but roasted is fine.) Good luck figuring everything out!
I just read what you had in your salad, and I’m wondering if it was the peaches that caused the reaction, not the avocado…?
That’s possible since I’ve read they’re related! There were no peaches in my breakfast burrito though so avocado seems to be the one to blame for now.
I have a feeling that’s where I’m headed. How about latex? Any allergy to that? Mango allergies cross with latex too!
I seem to be ok with latex. Though now I’m going to be a little more aware of that. I had no idea they were connected. And like Bridget below, I have an allergy to certain apples as well. I know which ones to avoid, but it’s still a gamble sometimes. Good luck with your appointment!
I was actually going to mention the pitted fruit allergy. I developped it a few years agao out of NOWHERE…..peaches, plums, nectarines, and certain apples (not all). I was in New Jersey with John and had gotten a candy apple on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights…was so anxious to taste it; two bites in and I felt like I couldn’t clear my throat….I stopped eating immediately and was eating ice cubes for about an hour. Just like you, I was always able to get enough oxygen, but had asked John to call the front desk of our hotel and ask for Benedryl just in case. I didn’t touch an apple for years. I did see my dr. and found out that pitted fruit allergies are very common and can be sudden; the funny think about a pitted fruit allergy, according to my dr. was that it’s one allergy that typically doesn’t get worse with time……like most allergies. My kitten, I hope that it’s all you have and that you never have to use your Epi pen :) xoxoxoxo
BTW, I am no longer allergic to anything, although I do get a bit of anxiety when eating them still :)
oh no, how scary! glad you’re ok!