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?
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
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The Moncur Fam
September 2006 look for a new one this summer
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12 comments:
This is tragic news, Nicole! Watermelon is my all-time favorite summer treat. What an odd reaction though - no hives or itching, but tingling?! ER posts DO make an interesting read, but I'll keep reading and you stay out of the hospital, okay?
Crazy! I say stay away from it forever, but that is probably easy for me to say since I don't like it.
AHH! Are you sure it's watermelon or pesticides/herbicides that was on the watermelon?
I guess if you had enough room in your house, you could grow a watermelon plant and (a) see if you could actually get a watermelon and (b) grow it organically so you can rule out chemicals and (c) then taste your home grown watermelon to see if you really are allergic.
Bummer, what a thing to be allergic to. Does that include watermelon flavored Jolly Ranchers?
If I comment, that means you have 4 readers, not just 3. But I thought I would tell you that Riley grew up with those allergies. Watermelon, canteloupe, any melons. Sometimes grapes, oranges and even carrots. She would still eat them if she wanted. I don't even know if it still bothers her or if she grew out of it. So maybe you should consider it some kind of high, without doing drugs and enjoy it. Haha!
Really...watermelon, of all things! I love cantaloupe but every time I eat it I get stomach cramps. Maybe you will out grow it;)
And now I am proof that you have at least SIX readers! Weird allergy, but not all that uncommon actually. I think it's safe to say that if you haven't gone into anaphylactic shock yet, you probably won't. But if you were completely submerged in a pool full of pureed watermelon you might have to worry. Please avoid watermelon puree pools just in case :)
My hubby says his throat gets kind of itchy when he eats carrots. He eats them almost daily with his lunch and he hasn't had a trip to the ER yet (for eating carrots at least) But I concur with Mrs. Moncur about avoiding watermelon puree pools.
An allergy may at any time worsen and you can become anaphylactically allergic. Think about it....at one point you were not allergic at all...correct? I say stay away from watermelon forever...jolly ranchers are ok.
Kim
Wow, 8 comments! People love what you have to say ;) And a watermelton allergy kinda stinks, What's summer without watermelon? Why couldn't you be allergic to lima beans or something?
I agree with Courtney - this kind of readership warrants more regular updates/stories :)
When I broke out in hives last year the dr. told me that our bodies can decide they no longer tolerate certain things - hence the random allergic reaction. I'd say, be grateful it's not chocolate!
Hey, where are you? You're missing from fb. Taking a break? I get that.
OK, Here I go and up your readership, this is Dad by the way and since I do not like watermelon, I sat SEE, I have been right all along to not eat it LOL
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