The wrong food might kill my son

AS the mother of a teenager who has the allergy reaction, anaphylaxis, I was shocked by the tragic story of Emma Sloan, who died on the street in Dublin after a Christmas meal with her family.

The 14-year-old, who had a peanut allergy, was unaware that her Chinese food contained peanuts. She didn’t have her life-saving Anapen (adrenalin shot) with her.

Allergy specialist and paediatrician, Professor Jonathan Hourihane, of UCC, says it can’t be predicted when someone will have a severe reaction, so always be vigilant.