True or False? If someone eats a food you are allergic to and then kisses you on the cheek, you will have a serious (i.e. anaphylactic) reaction.
The correct answer is False.
This is a tricky question. You should not get a serious reaction if kissed on the cheek, although you may get hives around the area of the kiss. Skin acts as a great barrier. Washing your cheek and hands will remove the food.
However, there have been instances when people have severe allergic reactions after getting other people’s saliva in their mouth (open mouth kissing, sharing utensils, cups, and water bottles). Letting our significant others know about our allergies, not sharing utensils and beverages, and washing hands before eating will help decrease accidentally eating foods that you are allergic to.
