Friday, November 14, 2008
Minutes after taking a bite of her dinner at Mrs. E’s dining hall, Heather Himmelwright knew something was wrong.
Her face turned red and she could barely breathe. The peanuts in her food had caused a severe allergic reaction. She knew if she didn’t get to a hospital fast, she could die.
Himmelwright, Pratt freshman, is one of only two or three KU students who suffer from anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reactions on campus each year.
The National Institutes of Health said food allergies were among the most common allergies in the country. The severity of allergies differs from person to person, but each can become severe.
Himmelwright said she was thankful her friends had acted quickly, driving her to Lawrence Memorial Hospital as soon as they realized what was happening. While in the car, Himmelwright had to give herself a shot of epinephrine, or manufactured adrenaline. Patty Quinlan, nurse supervisor for Watkins Memorial Health Services, said the epinephrine helped open airways, allowing people to breathe easier.
Sheryl Kidwell, assistant director for KU Dining Services, said food allergies were something Dining Services took seriously. Kidwell said Dining Services worked to address allergy issues with freshman students each year during orientation.
Kidwell said in addition to one-on-one meetings with the dining hall managers, students with food allergies were also made aware of the signs in residential dining halls that noted the allergens contained in each meal.
“We take it very seriously every year,” Kidwell said. “This is a rare case.”
The NIH Web site said allergic reactions, though rare, could occur at any time It also said people were more susceptible to severe reactions if they had a history of previous allergies, but that reactions could happen to anyone.
Himmelwright has known of her allergy, which last occurred when she was 11 years old, since childhood. Himmelwright said she had eaten the dish that caused the reaction at Mrs. E’s before without incident. She said she assumed the food was the same, and failed to notice the peanuts sitting on top of the dish. Himmelwright said she didn’t remember seeing an “N” denoting nuts on the ingredient sign.
“I will just have to keep a better lookout for signs and information,” Himmelwright said.
Kidwell said along with posted signs in the dining halls, students with food allergies were also given copies of the menu, complete with ingredient information. She said open communication between students and Dining Services staff was important to avoid incidents like Himmelwright’s. She said students could also use Dining Services’ new Netnutrition program online to avoid problem foods.
Himmelwright said she had made a habit of only bringing epinephrine with her every few days since arriving on campus. Himmelwright, who finished her medication for the reaction last weekend, said she would be more cautious in future trips to the dining hall.
“Luckily I had that with me,” Himmelwright said. “I’ll never leave it at home again.”
— — Edited by Kelsey Hayes
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Comments
Students with food allergies exercise caution on campus
Being a peanut allergy sufferer myself, i know exactly what it's like to have to navigate dining halls, restaurants, dinner parties, etc. making sure you don't eat the wrong thing - the deadly thing. That being said, if the article describes the situation correctly, how does someone with a severe peanut allergy fail to notice chopped peanuts on top of a dish?
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