Can someone really have an allergic reaction from a smell?

Question

I don't mean like allergies, where your nasal passages get all stuffy, eyes water, the likes.


I knew a girl who claimed she was so allergic to peanuts, the very smell would cause her to have such a foul reaction, that she could die from it if she didn't use her e-pen.

For a lot of nuts in a small unventilated room, this said room that she was referring to at the time was a very large van (8+ seater) with possibly one or two peanuts in the front seat.

Answer 1

Remember, smells *are* after all aerosolized molecules of the substance. She would have to be awfully sensitive, tho, and might benefit from desensitization therapy. She should ask her allergist about that, as it seems like life itself would be pretty dangerous otherwise.

Answer 2

Allergies, especially peanut allergies, can lead to anaphylaxsis, which is the swelling and closing of the windpipe and other parts of the body. Any allergy could potentially lead to anaphylaxsis, although things like insect stings and food allergies are more prone to them. The doctor has to prescribe an epi-pen for a reason, a person cannot just carry it around. If a severe allergic reaction occurs -- sometimes there is only minutes to give a shot, and this doesn't stop it -- just gives a little more time to get to the hospital.

I know it sounds crazy -- but with allergies its always best to err on the side of caution. If someone tells you they cannot eat something or be near something (like a latex balloon), they are really just trying to protect themselves.

Answer 3

Peanuts can be deadly for those who are allergic.. and yes.. even being in close proximty to them can cause a reaction to someone with a very severe allergy. If a person with a sever peanut allergy were to fly, he/she would need to notify the airline that they were allergic so the the plane would not carry any peanuts for the flight.

Answer 4

Absolutely, for a very allergic person, just the smell of peanuts can put them in life and death situation and she needs the epi pen. Another thing is perfume, some people literally cannot go to a department store and pass the perfume counter, their throat will swell up, their eyes water and they have to leave. I know of one cashier, when Bounce Sheets were on sale and a lot of people came through her cash, she had to go home. Her whole face swelled like a balloon and she couldn't swallow.

Answer 5

This is true, but it would have to be a lot of nuts in a small unventilated room...

I saw a person allergic to mustard grow sick from the air.

Answer 6

Absolutely, My Chiropractors office used to have Vanilla air fresheners in nearly every socket in the place. In the first five minutes it felt like someone was jabbing an ice pick in the center of my forehead.

I complained a few times and they finally stopped using them when he found out they could catch fire. No More Headaches!!!! Hurray!!

Answer 7

I do believe it is very true, although am surprised I have never seen it happen before. I cannot (only by doctors orders) touch peanuts, but I could smell them until the cows come home although I wouldn't want too, UUUUUGHHH!

Answer 8

Yes that's true . I don't get it like u but it is there. I even read news one day about a little girl who died because of peanut allergy.

Answer 9

Absolutely, peanuts are one of four deadly allergies which can cause a immediate and fatal reation. The others are Shellfish,Bee sting and Penicillin.

Answer 10

http://allergies.about.com/cs/peanuts/a/aa122898.htm

try this website. here is an excerpt:

"People can have severe reactions just by inhaling the odor or fragrance of peanuts. Allergists agree people with peanut allergy can die after ingesting or inhaling minute amounts of peanuts or peanut products."

so yes, people with severe allergies can die from inhaling peanut odors.