A woman suffers from a rare medical condition that makes kissing dangerous, as even a kiss on the lips could be fatal for her.
Caroline Cray Quinn, a 25-year-old woman from Boston, faces a unique health challenge that sets her apart from others.
The woman suffered from a rare condition which called MCAS
She grapples with a rare medical condition known as mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).
This condition, affecting only about one in 150,000 individuals, makes her life markedly different from the norm.
For Caroline, everyday activities that most people take for granted, such as sharing a kiss, come with immense risks.
MCAS causes her immune system to misidentify harmless substances as severe allergens, triggering life-threatening reactions.
Consequently, she adheres to a strict diet, primarily sustaining herself on oats and hypoallergenic formula to avoid potential dangers posed by other foods.
Navigating relationships presents a unique set of challenges for Caroline due to her condition.
She has established rigorous guidelines for potential partners interested in sharing a kiss.
Before any intimate moment, her partner must avoid consuming any of her six main anaphylactic allergens.
These include peanuts, nuts, sesame, mustard, seafood, and kiwi, and must be avoided for a full day.
Additionally, they must refrain from eating anything three hours prior and brush their teeth before kissing her.
“In order for someone to kiss me, they cannot eat anything three hours prior,” she said.
Caroline has minor reactions while kissing, prompting her to need vigilance.
Despite these precautions, Caroline has experienced minor reactions while kissing, signaling the importance of vigilance and immediate action.
Her condition demands constant awareness and preparedness, as even a seemingly harmless gesture can have serious consequences.
“It has pretty much been smooth sailing with those rules, but I’ve had a handful of minor reactions while kissing somebody or after kissing somebody,” she explained.
“My mouth will get itchy, my lips and my tongue will get itchy, and as soon as I feel that I immediately stop and let them know that I’m feeling reactive,” Caroline added.
She views her dating rules not as a hindrance but as a filter that sifts out individuals who lack genuine care and effort.
Her current boyfriend, Ryan, exemplifies this understanding and commitment by willingly complying with her guidelines.
Although kissing poses a risk for Caroline, she refuses to let her condition define her limitations.
“If need be, I brush my teeth immediately and take some emergency medication.
“It’s never really progressed past a bit of flushing and some head rush.”
She embraces life’s uncertainties, recognizing that dangers exist beyond intimate moments.
Caroline said: “It immediately weeds out any guys who don’t really give a s**t about you.
“Like if they have to follow a few rules to be able to kiss you, then they obviously care, they’re obviously interested, and they’re willing to put in a good amount of effort.”