Kissing is a way of showing love and affection towards a person but who would have thought that a simple kiss could become life threatening? The 28-year-old filmmaker recently opened up about the incident that almost cost her her life when she was 18, during a trip to Paris.

Phoebe had gone to the French capital to celebrate a friend’s birthday. After visiting a bar, the group decide to go to a nightclub, where Phoebe strikes up a conversation with a young man. Soon, the pair shared a kiss. But what should have been a carefree moment turned into a medical emergency within minutes.

“I remember my throat feeling like sandpaper. It was all spoiled. That’s the first sign, then it gets harder and harder to swallow – and that’s when you realize your throat is closing,” Phoebe explains.

Realizing something was wrong, Phoebe ran into the nightclub toilet and noticed a rash spreading across her face, neck and stomach. As her symptoms worsened, her anxiety increased. “It felt like the world was closing and I was in complete panic,” she said.

Luckily, Phoebe had her EpiPen – a life-saving device that injects adrenaline to counteract severe allergic reactions. By giving the injection he got time to reach the hospital. But even as she lay in the ambulance, she couldn’t figure out what was causing the reaction.

Phoebe later realized the probable cause: the man she kissed may have eaten something containing nuts earlier in the evening, one of her known allergens. Traces of the nuts in his saliva were enough to trigger his anaphylactic reaction.

“I never thought a kiss could cause such a severe reaction. It is important for people to understand that even indirect contact can be dangerous for people with severe allergies,” she said.

What is anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a serious and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. According to the National Health Service (NHS), common triggers include foods such as nuts, shellfish and dairy; Medicines such as antibiotics; And insect stings. In rare cases, exposure to certain substances through saliva, such as in Phoebe’s case, can also cause an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of anaphylaxis usually appear rapidly and may include:

– Difficulty breathing or wheezing

– Swelling in the throat and tongue

– rash or hives

– Sudden drop in blood pressure, causing dizziness or fainting

– Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain

If not treated promptly, anaphylaxis can lead to loss of consciousness or even death.

What to do in case of anaphylaxis?

The NHS explains that during an anaphylactic reaction a person needs to act quickly:

– Administer adrenaline immediately: Use an EpiPen or similar adrenaline auto-injector if one is available. Always inject into the outer thigh.

– Call emergency services: Dial the local emergency number and explain the situation.

– Lay the person down: Unless they are having trouble breathing, keep them lying flat with their legs elevated to improve blood flow.

– Avoid giving food or drink: this may interfere with breathing further.

– Stay with the person: Monitor their condition until professional help arrives.

If symptoms do not improve within five minutes or worsen, a second dose of adrenaline may be needed.

According to the NHS, an estimated 1 in 200 people in the UK experience anaphylaxis at some point in their lives. Education about the condition is important – not only for people with allergies but also for their friends, family and the wider community.

Simple measures, such as ensuring access to EpiPens in workplaces and schools and knowing how to recognize symptoms, can save lives. Additionally, people with severe allergies should be upfront about their needs to those with whom they interact, including romantic partners, to minimize the risks.

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