By Dr. Paul Ehrlich
I am forever fascinated by how little allergen it takes to cause a reaction, and I regularly use case studies from my practice to drive home to new patients, their parents and caregivers how much care they must take.
In Asthma Allergies Children: a parent’s guide we tell an R-rated story.
A G-rated example happened last week during a sweltering day in New York City when a very peanut allergic six-year old patient greeted his father returning from work. His father loves peanut butter, and he only eats it at the office. That afternoon he had some for lunch, and by the time he arrived home after taking the “1” train to 242nd Street and walking five blocks he was sweating profusely.
His son greeted him at the door, threw his arms around Dad and kissed his sweaty face. Within minutes the boy had difficulty breathing, began wheezing and had an anaphylactic reaction.
I can only imagine how low the peanut protein concentration in Dad’s perspiration was. I invite comments.