Friday, May 22, 2015
Features
theobserver
7
Food allergies common among CHS students Students must be cautious about possible allergic reactions By Jonathan Greenzaid Online Editor-In-Chief A beautiful day skiing in the wide mountains of Utah brings about exhilaration and enjoyment to everyone hitting the slopes—well, almost everyone. Confusion and panic take over as a 4-year-old boy breaks out in hives from eating a candy bar containing peanuts and is airlifted to a nearby hospital. Junior Andrew Zuckerman happened to be that 4-year-old, and is one of over 70 students at CHS with a severe food allergy. The month of May is Food Allergy Action month, during which awareness of food allergies is spread. “Teenagers are at a higher risk of experiencing an allergic reaction because they are used to not having a reaction since a young age,”
nurse Deborah Stapleton said. “It is important that they are responsible and not impulsive with their actions.” Allergies occur because the human body mistakes a common food as a foreign invader to the body, which triggers the production of antibodies to attack the allergen. The most severe symptoms of allergies include anaphylactic shock, which is characterized by low blood pressure, dilation of blood vessels and trouble breathing due to swelling in the body. According to Stapleton, she has to use an EpiPen, or an injection of epinephrine, around twice a year on students to counter the effects of anaphylactic shock. “If a kid were to come in with the symptoms of an allergic reaction, they will be given epinephrine,” Stapleton said. “The ambulance is called and
PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS.
Over 70 students at CHS have a severe food allergy to foods such as peanuts, and over 60 students experience milder reactions.
PHOTO BY JONATHAN GREENZAID.
Common food allergies include wheat, tree nuts, dairy and fish.
MCPS and parents are notified.” According to Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), food allergies affect one in 13 children under the age of 18 and a total of 15 million people in the U.S. “The worst thing about having an allergy is that it restricts me to a smaller range of food which I can eat,” said junior Emily Birnbaum, a student who has Celiac disease, which means she cannot eat wheat. Despite having to be so cautious, having an allergy can have its advantages. “The best part about having an allergy is that it forces me to eat healthier,” Zuckerman said. “I am forced to stay away from all things chocolate and other sweets like cake, cookies and pastries because of the likeliness that there
are nuts in them.” According to Stapleton, over 60 students have mild allergic reactions to foods. Symptoms for mild allergic reactions include rashes, itches, and congestion. These symptoms can be relieved with Benadryl, and over-thecounter antihistamines. “Students can help other students with allergies by not sharing food and cleaning up their area in the lunchroom if it is deadly to a person,” Stapleton said. Stapleton is trained to use an EpiPen and teaches different teachers around the school how to notice the symptoms of an allergic reaction and how to use an EpiPen. “All staff in CHS are informed of students will allergies and the teachers are all aware of what to do in case a student does have an allergic reaction,” Stapleton said.
#KylieJennerChallenge proves to be #dangerous
The recent fad has left lips swollen and teens regretful By Brooke Weiner Advertising Manager
The newest trend sweeping the nation is self-inducing overly plumped lips like celebrity Kylie Jenner’s. Lately, teens have taken drastic measures to recreate this popular look, known on social media as the #KylieJennerChallenge.
Even though Jenner recently admitted that she uses temporary lip fillers, teens are still trying to replicate her look by sucking on a shot glass, Gatorade bottle or hairspray cap. For many, this challenge has ended in swollen lips and broken capillaries. “By using the suction there is a risk of bruising, redness and broken capillaries lasting for at least a few hours,”
PHOTOS BY BROOKE WEINER.
The Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge temporarily plumps lips to mimic the trademark look of young celebrity Kylie Jenner.
said plastic surgeon Dr. Roger Oldham, who practices in Bethesda. According to Oldham, scarring can also occur as a result of the challenge. “If someone does it repeatedly, it could be permanent because of the scarring in the lip,” Oldham said. According to sophomore Lydia Frentsos, who tried the challenge, the enlarged lip effect lasts about two days. “I had a bruise,” Frentsos said. “It
faded within the third day and it makes your lips bigger temporarily, but it’s not worth it because the health risks are so much worse.” Even though Jenner’s lips may seem desirable for eager teens, not all students are willing to take the risk. “I think natural beauty is better and you should expand on your own beauty instead of following the status quo,” senior Rachel Su said. “There may also be long-term problems, and I don’t think people should try [the challenge].”