Children with food allergies are taught avoidance as the best means of preventing a reaction, including life-threatening anaphylaxis, but as children grow into teens dating comes into the picture bringing a whole new threat - intimate touch. Hand-holding, hugging and kissing can pass food allergens from one person to another increasing the risk of reaction, but there are ways to prevent contact with food allergens when dating if teens recognize the importance of communication early on in the relationship.
Tell everyone you know about your food allergies and talk about your allergies often. Making food allergies a common talking point in every day relationships means everyone knows what you're allergic to, how to react if you have a reaction and what foods they need to avoid if they want to spend time with you. Teach your friends about epinephrine auto-injectors and teach them how to properly inject epinephrine if you have a reaction. You are more likely to date someone in your close circle of friends, so if everyone knows then there are no surprises when friendships blossom into relationships. Why Risk It, a website for youth with anaphylactic allergies, offers helpful tips on talking with friends and family about food allergies.
That first kiss is the one that's supposed to seal the deal. You're in love and everything you've learned about food allergies suddenly disappears from your mind when your date leans forward for that first time, but when you have food allergies even the smallest amount of residue can lead to anaphylaxis and death. Avoidance is the best choice, but your date may not be trained in reading nutrition labels so until you know that kiss is food allergen free you need to be extremely cautious - just remember BRFW from The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. B - Brush Teeth, R - Rinse Out the Mouth, F - Floss Between Teeth and W - Wait 4 Hours Before Kissing. While this might not seem like the most romantic way of experiencing a first kiss it is the safest way if you're not certain your date's mouth is allergen free.
There are thousands of teens and adults out there who face the threat of accidental exposure to food allergens from intimate situations every day, but amid what seems like a constant battle between normal life and living with a food allergy there are couples who make it through and develop intimate, lasting relationships. Anaphylaxis Canada offers a teen series with videos on dating with food allergies that give teens a look inside the world of dating. The videos cover topics like new relationships and kissing, two of the most dangerous times in dating.
Dating is a rite of passage in middle school and high school and a means of establishing long-lasting relationships and starting a family in adulthood, but it can also be a crazy game of Russian roulette if teens aren't prepared for intimate touch and kissing. Teens need to remember to communicate food allergens, teach epinephrine injection and prepare ahead of time for that moment when friendships turn into relationships.
Talk About Your Food Allergies Before You Start Dating
Tell everyone you know about your food allergies and talk about your allergies often. Making food allergies a common talking point in every day relationships means everyone knows what you're allergic to, how to react if you have a reaction and what foods they need to avoid if they want to spend time with you. Teach your friends about epinephrine auto-injectors and teach them how to properly inject epinephrine if you have a reaction. You are more likely to date someone in your close circle of friends, so if everyone knows then there are no surprises when friendships blossom into relationships. Why Risk It, a website for youth with anaphylactic allergies, offers helpful tips on talking with friends and family about food allergies.
The Inevitable First Kiss
That first kiss is the one that's supposed to seal the deal. You're in love and everything you've learned about food allergies suddenly disappears from your mind when your date leans forward for that first time, but when you have food allergies even the smallest amount of residue can lead to anaphylaxis and death. Avoidance is the best choice, but your date may not be trained in reading nutrition labels so until you know that kiss is food allergen free you need to be extremely cautious - just remember BRFW from The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. B - Brush Teeth, R - Rinse Out the Mouth, F - Floss Between Teeth and W - Wait 4 Hours Before Kissing. While this might not seem like the most romantic way of experiencing a first kiss it is the safest way if you're not certain your date's mouth is allergen free.
Remember You're Not Alone
There are thousands of teens and adults out there who face the threat of accidental exposure to food allergens from intimate situations every day, but amid what seems like a constant battle between normal life and living with a food allergy there are couples who make it through and develop intimate, lasting relationships. Anaphylaxis Canada offers a teen series with videos on dating with food allergies that give teens a look inside the world of dating. The videos cover topics like new relationships and kissing, two of the most dangerous times in dating.
Dating is a rite of passage in middle school and high school and a means of establishing long-lasting relationships and starting a family in adulthood, but it can also be a crazy game of Russian roulette if teens aren't prepared for intimate touch and kissing. Teens need to remember to communicate food allergens, teach epinephrine injection and prepare ahead of time for that moment when friendships turn into relationships.
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