Brett Smith for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online
A two and-a-half year-old Pennsylvania girl recently suffered a deadly allergic reaction after eating an orange, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).
The little has girl has since recovered from the attack, and according to the researchers, this is the first case of its kind in a child this young.
“She ate an orange, and within a few minutes had developed severe anaphylaxis,” said study author Dr. Sigrid DaVeiga, an allergist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). “Her lips and tongue swelled, she broke out in hives and couldn’t breathe well. Her parents immediately got her to an emergency room, and she was flown by helicopter to a pediatric intensive care unit.”
After looking at her medical history, doctors found that the girl had consumed orange juice before, but didn’t suffer an allergic reaction. However, the girl had an undiagnosed asthma condition. Follow-up evaluations by allergists found that she was hypersensitive to both oranges and peaches.
“Several recommendations were made following the allergic reaction,” said study author Dr. Sayantani Sindher, also from CHOP. “She was advised to avoid orange and peach, and also told to start asthma therapy, both of which will keep future allergic reactions under control.”
The ACAAI noted that a severe allergic reaction to an orange is extremely rare, particularly in children. The organization added that people who experience hay fever also suffer from an oral allergy, such as an itchy mouth after eating certain raw fruits or vegetables.
According to Allergy UK, individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) need to primarily worry about eating raw produce as cooking should remove any allergens. The website, operated by the non-profit British Allergy Foundation, said that some people with OAS find they can eat certain varieties of fruits and vegetables and not have a reaction. For example, those allergic to Granny Smith apples may be able to eat a Red Delicious.
The new report comes almost a week after the national advocacy group FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) held its teal pumpkin campaign on Halloween to raise awareness about food allergies.
The FARE campaign asked people to display teal pumpkins on their porch or paint their orange pumpkins a dark blue-green – the official color of food allergy awareness. The organization also asked people to consider handing out non-food items for Halloween, so kids with severe food allergies can feel more included in the holiday.
“The Teal Pumpkin Project is designed to promote safety, inclusion and respect of individuals managing food allergies – and to keep Halloween a fun, positive experience for all,” the organization said on its website.
According to FARE, food allergies affect as many as 15 million people in the US. Reactions can range from hives to difficulty breathing to anaphylaxis. Nut allergies tend to be among the most severe allergies for teens and young children, the organization said.
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