You may be surprised to learn that a person with allergies can actually learn a thing or two from the movie The Heat– and by that I mean besides accumulating a shiny new arsenal of curse words which make up the majority of the movie (better to just say “Oh Nuts” in my opinion).
Without revealing too much of what happens in the movie, there is this one scene where Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy are livin’ it up at some decrepit looking bar with a bunch of seniors. It’s pretty funny, until you see the bowl of peanuts on the bar counter and – just a few seconds later – Bullock drunkenly crumbling peanuts shells onto some drunk, passed out biker. Sure, it’s all in the name of drunken fun, but it kind of reminded me that as a person living with allergies, situations where people loose their inhibitions and sense of good judgement are not always as fun as they may initially be.
Okay, so I know something like this scene may never actually happen in real life, but as much fun as it may be to party, if you have allergies, you need to be careful not to let loose entirely. It’s possible that you may eat an unknown food that you would unlikely eat in a sober situation. For non-allergic people, this isn’t a big deal. But for those with allergies, it’s your life you’re gambling with.
Additionally, alcohol impairs the judgement of those around you, which may result in friends or acquaintances attempting to feed you your allergen(s), or throw them at you, etc. This is something they wouldn’t do in a normal situation, but could very well occur at a party.
If you are going out to party, it’s important to have a plan:
– Know which alcohols contain nuts! Yes, there are a few. Please take a look at this list of alcohol that may contain nuts such as Frangelico (hazelnut) and Bombay Sapphire Gin (almond). Be sure to call the manufacturer directly if unsure.
More partying tips at http://www.whyriskit.ca/pages/en/manage/partying.php
– You must have your auto-injector on you somewhere, even if you’re wearing tight clothes or not carrying a bag! It’s not enough to leave it in the car. If you’re looking for an easy way to carry your epi-pen at the club, maybe try this. Or, look into the the new Allerject/Auvi-Q auto-injector, which is designed to fit into your pocket.
– Let your friends know of your situation and the risks involved. Tell them to keep an eye out for you in case of any risky situations.
– Eat before the party. This way, you won’t be inclined to snack on any munchies or foods provided.
– Don’t share drinks or cups! There could be traces of your allergen from someone who drank from the bottle/cup before you, and it’s better not to take the chance.
– Wear MedicAlert jewelry or an allergy identification piece of some sort.
How have you managed your allergies while partying?
Tags: Hannah L., parties, relationships