PATIENT FAMILY PROFILE: Jordan and the Peanut-Contaminated Pretzel
Jordan was almost five when he experienced his first anaphylactic reaction—to a single peanut-contaminated pretzel.
It was December 25, 2016. About five minutes after arriving at his grandparents’ home for Christmas celebrations, Jordan said he had a tummy ache and a spicy feeling in his mouth. He started coughing and was visibly uncomfortable. His mom, Leslie, asked what he’d eaten. Jordan pointed to a dish of pretzels and peanuts. He knew to avoid the peanuts, but went for a pretzel, not realizing that the pretzel was a risk to him because it had come into contact with peanuts.
When he awoke two hours later, the hives had spread to Jordan’s back and legs. He felt itchy, nauseous, and his stomach still ached. The doctor described this as a “bounce-back reaction” and said it was quite common. Jordan was given more epinephrine and later an IV with antihistamine. During the night, Jordan stabilized, and he was discharged the following morning—happy to return home with his parents and his brother, Josh.
“He felt itchy, nauseous, and his stomach still ached.”
At a visit to Jordan’s allergist two days later, Leslie learned that when Jordan started showing signs of distress after he was given the first EpiPen, he should have been administered a second EpiPen right away. She also learned that Benadryl simply prolongs an allergic reaction. “I do not know if administering a second EpiPen right away would have shortened his experience or not. Nonetheless, I always make sure that a minimum of two EpiPens are available to Jordan at all times,” says Leslie.
Jordan’s experience has renewed the commitment of Leslie and her husband Mitch to support the SickKids Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Program and efforts to cure food allergy within the next 10 years.
As we approach Halloween and the holiday season, SickKids dietitian Mara Alexanian-Farr shares her top five tips to reduce the risk of cross-contamination—and stress for families living with food allergy. Read the story here.
