In which I reveal an allergy

A few weeks ago a curious thing happened. I ate some of the first watermelon of the season shipped fresh to Alaska on a 3 week voyage from some southern hemisphere country. Afterwards my lips started to tingle. And maybe slightly burn.

I thought maybe they were just chapped or possibly sunburned, but then I remembered our solar rays have the strength of birthday candle and the heat of a refrigerator and was puzzled by the sensation.

It happened mildly a few more times after eating watermelon but I was still in denial that something as innocuous as WATERMELON could actually cause an allergic reaction.

Until I helped out at a missionary luncheon where I was in charge of cutting six large watermelons for 80 elders and sisters. I snitched a piece or two and sure enough the tingle/ burning occurred on my lips but then the unexpected happened. My left hand, the one that got all juicy from holding six watermelons still while I cut them, started tingling too!! Weirdest feeling ever! Sort of like right under my skin was carbonated and bubbly. Not itchy, not as burning as my lips but kind of fizzy.

So, it's as official as I can get: I am allergic to watermelon. I don't know if I should avoid it for fear I might one day go into anaphylactic shock, or just live with mild/moderate tingling sensations when I eat that tasty summer treat.

But a post about a trip to the ER could be interesting, eh my three readers?