There are copious amounts of allergens that are hard to deal with in the world, such as peanuts, eggs, and gluten. Imagine having to check every single thing you consumed for these noxious allergens. You have now imagined my reality.
Finding My Allergy
On October 31st, I developed a red rash and swelling down my arms, on my face, and all over my back. My skin was burning; It felt like my body was going to hell. Thinking this was just a infinitesimal reaction, the school nurse gave me liquid Benedryl, as she would to anyone with my symptoms. After a few minutes, my skin was turning it's normal color, so I went back to class.
Ten minutes into my second class, the same symptoms started happening again, this time with an outrageous cough. The nurse called my mom and with in thirty minutes I was on my way to the hospital.
Once at the hospital, it was a matter of minutes before the doctor knew what was wrong. I had had an allergic reaction to something that I had been in contact with that day. The doctor gave me an IV to try and stop the reaction. Hearing the cause of my pain, my mom and I configured a list of everything I had eaten that day: A cupcake, orange juice, McMuffin, and Hashbrown. We didn't see any ties between any of the things I consumed.
I went back to school, as I had a big football game that night and slept in the media center. After school, I had red frosting, red punch, and pizza with the band before our performance. At the game, my skin started to burn and itch again, so I took more Benedryl. The cough started, and off to the nearest hospital we went again. Previously at the hospital, the doctor said that my cough was due to my airways swelling.
There, the staff said the same thing, I was having an allergic reaction. Once again, my mom and I cross-examined everything I ate, and there was only one thing in common: Red-Dye.
Coping With It
Being as angry as I was, I looked up things with red dye in them. The results popped up, and I cried. All of my favorite food has red dye. M&Ms, Starbursts, Red-Velvet Cake, and Hawaiian Punch were now only things I could consume in my dreams. So at that moment, I started my new red dye free life.
Since I started this regimen, I can honestly say I have felt healthier than ever. Most foods I eat now are either organic or aren't artificially colored. I am always eating Belvita bars, crackers, and drinking water.
One can imagine how difficult this new lifestyle is. I am constantly reading labels and am preoccupied with every amount of food that goes into my body. As time goes by, this procedure is getting easier, but there will always be that fear of consuming red dye.
Finding My Allergy
On October 31st, I developed a red rash and swelling down my arms, on my face, and all over my back. My skin was burning; It felt like my body was going to hell. Thinking this was just a infinitesimal reaction, the school nurse gave me liquid Benedryl, as she would to anyone with my symptoms. After a few minutes, my skin was turning it's normal color, so I went back to class.
Ten minutes into my second class, the same symptoms started happening again, this time with an outrageous cough. The nurse called my mom and with in thirty minutes I was on my way to the hospital.
Once at the hospital, it was a matter of minutes before the doctor knew what was wrong. I had had an allergic reaction to something that I had been in contact with that day. The doctor gave me an IV to try and stop the reaction. Hearing the cause of my pain, my mom and I configured a list of everything I had eaten that day: A cupcake, orange juice, McMuffin, and Hashbrown. We didn't see any ties between any of the things I consumed.
I went back to school, as I had a big football game that night and slept in the media center. After school, I had red frosting, red punch, and pizza with the band before our performance. At the game, my skin started to burn and itch again, so I took more Benedryl. The cough started, and off to the nearest hospital we went again. Previously at the hospital, the doctor said that my cough was due to my airways swelling.
There, the staff said the same thing, I was having an allergic reaction. Once again, my mom and I cross-examined everything I ate, and there was only one thing in common: Red-Dye.
Coping With It
Being as angry as I was, I looked up things with red dye in them. The results popped up, and I cried. All of my favorite food has red dye. M&Ms, Starbursts, Red-Velvet Cake, and Hawaiian Punch were now only things I could consume in my dreams. So at that moment, I started my new red dye free life.
Since I started this regimen, I can honestly say I have felt healthier than ever. Most foods I eat now are either organic or aren't artificially colored. I am always eating Belvita bars, crackers, and drinking water.
One can imagine how difficult this new lifestyle is. I am constantly reading labels and am preoccupied with every amount of food that goes into my body. As time goes by, this procedure is getting easier, but there will always be that fear of consuming red dye.