How Severe Is Peanut Allergy That Caused A US Student’s Tragic Death?

Remembering Alison Pickering, A Young Girl Who Lost Her Life Due To A Peanut Allergy: Alison Pickering, a 23-year-old student from Texas, tragically passed away in May 2023 after unknowingly consuming a dish containing peanut sauce at a restaurant she had frequented. Her family shared their heartbreak with a leading media outlet, recounting how Alison had always been meticulous about managing her peanut allergy. What was meant to be a memorable first date for Alison Pickering turned into an unimaginable tragedy, just a day after her graduation from the Tarleton State University in Texas' Stephenville.

Alison’s mother, Joy Pickering, said, “She was always very, very careful. She rarely ate cookies that were not mine.” Her father, Grover Pickering, added, “She would repeatedly go to the same restaurants and order the same dishes, you know. That's a common thing."

On that fateful evening, Alison ordered mahi-mahi, a dish she had safely eaten before. However, the recipe had changed the last time she visited, and the dish now included peanut sauce.  

“She took a few bites, realized something was wrong,” Grover Pickering explains. "She did her Epipen. The ambulance came. She actually walked to the ambulance talking to them, but somewhere along the way things went downhill."

Despite her efforts and the quick response, Alison never regained consciousness. Her untimely passing is a stark reminder of the dangers of food allergies and the importance of transparency in ingredient changes.

What is peanut allergy and how severe is this condition?

According to Healthline, peanut allergy could be life-threatening. It states “To treat a severe allergic reaction, you need an injection of epinephrine. If you’re diagnosed with a peanut allergy, your doctor will instruct you to carry epinephrine auto-injectors. Each device includes an easy-to-use preloaded dose of epinephrine that you can give to yourself (via injection).”

The publication confirms that you'd still need emergency medical help even after epinephrine.