According to an overseas network citing the Associated Press on January 26, in New York, USA, 25-year-old British professional dancer Orla Basendle died of severe peanut allergy after eating biscuits.
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aroused heated discussions among netizens
British dancer Orla Basendle (Source: Orla Social Media)
Orla, 25, is a brilliant ballet, modern and Irish dancer who has performed at New York Fashion Week and Lincoln Center, the report said.
It is reported that the biscuits involved were not labeled as containing peanuts.
The retailer involved announced on the 23rd that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stepped in to recall vanilla Florentia cookies sold in Danbury, Connecticut and Newnington stores from November 6 to December 31, 2023. The company said it had sold about 500 packs of holiday cookies.
Vanilla Florentia biscuits unlabeled "with peanuts" (Source: Social Media)
In fact, there are not a few people who have food allergies, and if they have severe allergic symptoms, they may cause shock due to breathing obstruction.
According to the World Health Organization, about one in four people in the world suffer from allergic diseases, of which food-related allergies account for a large proportion, and the number of people is increasing year by year.
Data shows that about 30%-40% of the world's people are plagued by various allergies, of which about 250 million people have food allergies.
According to statistics, one in every 20 children worldwide has a food allergy, and the ratio of food allergies among adults is 50:1, and the main allergens include seafood, milk and eggs in addition to peanuts.
Peanuts, as one of the important food allergens, can cause extremely severe allergic symptoms, and in severe cases, shock may occur due to obstructed breathing.
Statistics show that 90% of deaths due to food allergies are caused by peanuts. In the UK, 1 in 200 people are allergic to peanuts. Some people can have a severe allergic reaction if they eat even very small amounts of peanuts or peanut oil.
What foods can cause allergies?
In terms of quantity alone, there are hundreds of foods that can cause allergies in humans. However, the following foods are highly allergenic and are more likely to cause allergies in the human body, so we must pay attention to them.
■ Milk and eggs
Milk and eggs are the most common foods that cause allergies in young children. Allergic reactions are not only manifested on the skin, but may also be accompanied by adverse symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.
■ Seafood
Seafood, for both children and adults, is a relatively common allergic food, especially stale seafood is more likely to induce allergies.
■ Oil crops
The number of people who are allergic to sesame seeds and peanuts is not as high as that of milk and eggs, but it can cause severe anaphylactic shock and even death.
■ Wheat and cereals
A small percentage of people develop allergic reactions to wheat and cereals, mainly in adolescents and adults after the age of 10.
Any food product can cause an allergic reaction because everyone's constitution is different.
■ People who are allergic to strawberries and peaches (mostly fluffy on the surface) will experience symptoms such as erythema, itching, and hives all over the body after eating strawberries or peaches.
■ People who are allergic to pineapple may experience itchy skin, flushing, numbness in the limbs, mouth and tongue after eating pineapple for 15 minutes to 1 hour, and in severe cases, symptoms such as dyspnea and shock.
What are the symptoms of food allergies?
1. Skin symptoms
Symptoms of food allergies are most likely to manifest on the skin, such as skin flushing, itching, congestion, urticaria, and angioedema.
2. Gastro-inflaral symptoms
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, cramping and diarrhea are also common after food allergies.
3. Neurological symptoms
In some people, allergic reactions occur in the nervous system, causing fatigue, weakness, anxiety, dizziness, and headache. In severe cases, hypotension, anaphylactic shock, unconsciousness, poor breathing, etc., may also occur, and even life may be in danger.
4. Respiratory tract symptoms
People with severe allergies may also experience respiratory symptoms, such as laryngeal edema, hoarseness, choking, etc., which are the leading causes of death.
It is important to note that the above situations can occur separately or simultaneously.
Who should be wary of food allergies?
1. People with allergies
People with allergies are prone to allergic reactions, so they need to pay more attention to their diet and avoid contact with allergens in their daily lives.
2. Those with a family history of allergies
Allergies are hereditary, and if one or both parents have a history of allergies, the prevalence of their children is higher than that of the general population.
3. Infants and young children
The incidence of allergies in infants and children is higher than that in adults, and the age group of 4-6 months is the most common age group for food allergies.
How can I prevent food allergies?
At present, there is no cure for allergies, but it is possible to reduce the occurrence of allergies or reduce the symptoms of allergies by paying attention to diet and improving immunity. Food allergies can be effectively prevented by doing the following:
1. Get screened for allergens
People who are prone to allergies should take the initiative to go to relevant medical institutions for food allergen screening, avoid contact with allergens that cause allergies, and follow the medical advice of their doctors.
2. Do not eat foods that contain allergens
Do not eat foods containing allergens, and pay attention to the allergen label before buying food.
3. Balanced nutrition and proper exercise
Pay attention to dietary nutrition, supplement enough protein, vitamins and other substances, and carry out appropriate physical exercise to improve your own immunity.
There is currently no effective treatment for food allergies. Once a food allergy is diagnosed, the best treatment is to actively avoid the food and any other foods that contain it.
The doctor reminds that once you find that you have "signs" of food allergies, you must see a doctor in time to check for allergens, etc., to avoid serious allergic reactions.
Sources: Comprehensive News Morning Post, Overseas Network, Yangcheng Pie, Health Times, News Workshop, China News Service, etc