If you’re part of the dating world and you have food allergies, you need to take measures to keep yourself safe, with the help of your date. Below we review what the research shows on dating behaviors and food allergies and how to prevent an allergy attack while on dates.
What the Research Shows
One commonly cited study aimed to determine the amount of time traces of peanut allergen persisted in saliva after ingesting peanut butter, and to evaluate how effective mouth cleansing interventions were to reduce the amount of the allergen in the saliva.
For the study, 38 individuals ingested two tablespoons of peanut butter, and researchers collected samples of their saliva at certain points in time after various interventions, including brushing teeth, brushing and rinsing, rinsing, waiting then brushing and waiting then chewing gum.
The researchers concluded, “Patients with peanut allergy require counseling regarding risks of kissing or sharing utensils, even if partners have brushed teeth or chewed gum. Advice to reduce risks, though not as ideal as total avoidance, includes waiting a few hours plus eating a peanut-free meal.”
How to Prevent an Allergy Attack While on Dates
Follow our tips below:
- Educate your date. Within your first few conversations, let your date know about your food allergies, including what you’re allergic to, the severity and your emergency protocol.
- Remind them when planning. Once it’s time to plan your first date, reiterate this information.
- Suggest somewhere safe. You probably have restaurants you know are safe and that you’re comfortable with, like Magnolias near Waterfront Park. It’s okay to make a suggestion for these places.
- Reiterate your food allergies to staff. While on your date, it’s important that not only your date knows about your food allergies, but also the staff.
- Disinfect surfaces. This way, you know no allergens are present.
- Do not share food or drinks. If you ordered safe food, you may not know for sure if what your date ordered is safe. Even if you do, you don’t necessarily know what they ate earlier in the day and if it’s still in their saliva.
- Wait to kiss. If your date did eat something you’re allergic to earlier in the date, wait at least a few hours before you kiss them.
For more information on allergy symptoms or to schedule an appointment, call Charleston ENT & Allergy today.