A 25-year-old with nut allergy was left in a vegetative state after eating a salami infused with walnuts, reported The Sun UK. The youngster while enjoying the snack clicked a picture of the cured sausages and sent it to his mom saying “these are nice”. However, after realizing it had walnuts in it, he panicked and wrote to his mom – “F***, they contain walnuts”. Louise replied: “You’ve not eaten any have you?” to which her son said: “Yes”. George hadn’t spotted the “aux noix” labelling on the salami packaging, which also stated “with walnuts” in English.
Though George Cadman-Thell reached his home from shop in under 10 minutes, and was administered an EpiPen by husband Joe Nolan, he went into cardiac arrest and his brain was starved of oxygen for 26 minutes, which led to irreversible brain damage. He had suffered severe anaphylactic shock, leaving him with irreversible brain damage. He remains in a vegetative state at a rehabilitation unit at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, North West London, even though he’s able to open his eyes and breathe on his own.
Now, his family is sharing their story to raise awareness about the dangers of allergies, even for those who’ve experienced only mild reactions in the past. “It’s destroyed us,” Louise says, urging others to never underestimate the life-threatening potential of an allergy.
What is anaphylactic shock?
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction which can be life-threatening if not addressed immediately. It occurs after eating certain foods or get stung by an insect. It can happen seconds or minutes after you’ve been exposed to something you’re allergic to. Peanuts or bee stings are examples.
In anaphylaxis, the immune system releases a flood of chemicals that could send the body in a shock. Blood pressure can drop suddenly and the airways narrow, blocking your breathing. The pulse may be fast and weak, and you may develop a skin rash. You may also get nauseous and vomit. Anaphylaxis needs to be treated right away with an injection of epinephrine. If it isn’t treated right away, it can be deadly.
Anaphylaxis requires an injection of epinephrine and one needs to go to the emergency immediately. If not treated right away, it can be fatal.
Tree nut allergy is a common food allergy caused by peanuts and shellfish. It is a common food allergen most frequently linked to anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of a tree nut allergy include:
Abdominal pain
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Difficulty swallowing
Itching of the mouth, throat, eyes, skin or any other area
Nasal congestion or a runny nose
Nausea
Shortness of breath
Anaphylaxis
(Picture courtesy: Facebook)
