peanuts

The school may be going to extremes, however peanut and other nut and food allergies isn’t something to be laughed at. More and more people are developing food allergies. Some have minor reactions such as rashes, upset stomachs and diarrhea. Others go into what is called anaphylactic shock which can cause hives, welts, and redness on the skin, swelling of the airway, rapid heart rate and lowering of blood pressure, and other symptoms including death. The usual treatment is a dose of epinephrine with an auto injector a followed by rapid transport to a medical facility where antihistamines are given to combat the reaction.

Some people with severe allergies only need to be in the area of the allergen to have a reaction that is why peanuts are no longer served on most airlines and why more and more food container carry warning label indicating that trace amounts of peanuts and other allergens may be present. Prohibiting those who suffer from food allergies from attending school or going to certain public places would be a violation of their rights because it could be said that they have a disability.

Food allergies are something that can develop at any time in a persons life too, I knew a person when I was in the Coast Guard that grew up a waterman and had eaten shellfish his whole life. One day he ate some shrimp and had to be rushed to the hospital in respiratory arrest. For whatever reason he developed an allergy to shellfish at that point in his life. I developed an allergy to pecans and didn’t find out about it until I got a rash and my throat swelled to the point that I had to go to the ER to get treated to for difficulty breathing and for the reaction to the pecans (heck of a way to end thanksgiving dinner). Those who choose to make fun of the unfortunate people that suffer from food allergies won’t be laughing if they develop allergies, have some consideration for those around you.  You never know who may be around you that you may offend.