Peanuts & Tree Nuts

One time, when I was at a birthday party, I didn’t know that the brownies had peanuts in them. They looked so good. I thought maybe a tiny bite would be okay since it was something that I never tried before. But as soon as I ate it, my mouth started to tingle. My lips grew and my throat began to clog. I knew something was wrong.

I told my friend and he helped me tell the adults. Soon, my chest felt tight and it became hard to breathe. They called 911 and the paramedics gave me an epinephrine shot. It was scary, but I felt better after a little while. That day taught me that even a tiny amount of peanuts can make me very sick.

Now, I am very careful about what I eat. I always read labels, ask questions at restaurants, and carry my medicine with me. I also make sure my friends and teachers know about my allergy. It is not fun to have a peanut allergy, but being prepared helps me stay safe. I have learned that being careful is important, and it is okay to say “no” to food that might have peanuts.

Even though allergies are hard, I can still enjoy food safely when I pay attention.