A kiss is a way of showing love and affection towards a person but who could have thought a simple kiss could turn life-threatening? The 28-year-old film producer recently opened up about an incident that happened when she was 18, which nearly cost her her life during a trip to Paris.

Phoebe had travelled to the French capital to celebrate a friend’s birthday. After visiting a bar, the group decided to head to a nightclub, where Phoebe struck up a conversation with a young man. Soon, the pair shared a kiss. But what should have been a carefree moment turned into a medical emergency within minutes.

“I remember my throat feeling like sandpaper. It had gone all scratchy. That’s the first sign, then it becomes harder and harder to swallow—and that’s when you know your throat is closing up,” Phoebe recounted.

Realizing something was wrong, Phoebe rushed to the nightclub's restroom and noticed a rash spreading across her face, neck, and stomach. Her panic increased as her symptoms got worse. “The world felt like it was closing in, and I was in pure panic,” she said.

Fortunately, Phoebe had her EpiPen—a life-saving device that injects adrenaline to counteract severe allergic reactions. Administering the injection bought her time to get to the hospital. But even as she lay in the ambulance, she couldn’t figure out what had caused the reaction.

It wasn’t until later that Phoebe realized the likely cause: the man she kissed must have consumed something containing nuts, one of her known allergens, earlier in the evening. The traces of nuts in his saliva were enough to trigger her anaphylactic reaction.

“I never imagined a kiss could trigger such a severe reaction. It’s important for people to understand that even indirect exposure can be dangerous for those with severe allergies,” she said.

What Is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. According to the National Health Service (NHS), common triggers include foods like nuts, shellfish, and dairy; medications such as antibiotics; and insect stings. In rare cases, exposure to certain substances through saliva, such as in Phoebe’s case, can also cause an allergic reaction.

The symptoms of anaphylaxis usually appear rapidly and may include:

- Difficulty breathing or wheezing

- Swelling of the throat and tongue

- A rash or hives

- A sudden drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness or fainting

- Nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain

If not treated promptly, anaphylaxis can lead to loss of consciousness or even death.

What to Do in Case of Anaphylaxis

The NHS explains that one needs to act quickly during an anaphylactic reaction:

- Administer adrenaline immediately: Use an EpiPen or similar adrenaline auto-injector if one is available. Always inject into the outer thigh.

- Call emergency services: Dial the local emergency number and explain the situation.

- Lie the person down: Unless they are struggling to breathe, keep them lying flat with their legs elevated to improve blood flow.

- Avoid giving food or drink: This could obstruct breathing further.

- Stay with the person: Monitor their condition until professional help arrives.

If symptoms do not improve or worsen within five minutes, a second dose of adrenaline may be required.

An estimated 1 in 200 people in the UK experience anaphylaxis at some point in their lives, according to the NHS. Education about the condition is vital—not only for those with allergies but also for their friends, family, and the wider community.

Simple measures, such as ensuring workplaces and schools have access to EpiPens and knowing how to recognize symptoms, can save lives. Additionally, those with severe allergies should openly communicate their needs to people they interact with, including romantic partners, to minimize risks.

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