Going in for first kisses can be nerve-wracking at the best of times, but for most of us, it isn't a life or death situation.
For Caroline Cray Quinn, it very well could be.
Kisses are a bit different for Quinn. Credit: ruizluquepaz/GettyQuinn, a Boston resident, has a love life that comes with life-threatening risks, all due to severe food allergies and a rare immune disorder called mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).
For Quinn, a kiss could prove fatal.
MCAS, a chronic condition that causes the immune system to mistakenly identify harmless substances as severe allergens, severely limits her diet to just two foods - oats and hypoallergenic formula.
When triggered, the disorder can lead to dangerous reactions such as swelling, shortness of breath, hives, vomiting, and in severe cases, life-threatening anaphylaxis, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
As a result, Quinn has set strict rules for any potential romantic partners to follow before a kiss.
@carolinecray2 Replying to @j Herz My rules for smooching! 💋 #mcas #mastcellactivationsyndrome #mcad #mastcellactivationdisorder #foodallergyawareness #chronicillnessawareness #chronicillnesswarrior #chronicillness ♬ original sound - CarolineCray2
In a viral TikTok video viewed by over 1.7 million people, she outlined her three crucial rules:
“Rule No. 1 is that they can’t have any of my six main anaphylactic allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, kiwi, mustard or seafood) within 24 hours of kissing me,” she explained.
“The second rule is that they can’t eat anything three hours prior to kissing me."
As for the third and final rule, it's something that we perhaps wished others adhered too a little more.
"Rule No. 3 is that they have to brush their teeth," Quinn said.
Quinn stated that the rules were given to her by a healthcare professional, so they definitely have stock and should be adhered to at all times.
Failure to meet these conditions could have deadly consequences for Quinn.
She went on to say that after kissing on occasions she has had minor reactions like an itchy mouth.
When this happens Quinn stops the kissing right away and lets her partner know before she goes and brushes her teeth.
Elsewhere in the video, Quinn reveals that due to her allergies to cats and dogs there are other moments that could present issues.
Those that kiss Quinn need to follow three strict rules. Credit: Eric Cahan/Getty
For example, lying down at the beach and a dog runs up and gives a kiss - as dogs tend to do.
Quinn states that she's "in tune" with her body and if she's feeling symptomatic she won't kiss someone that day - but she doesn't let her allergies hold her back.
However through it all, Quinn notes that if somebody has to follow these rules to kiss her and they are okay with it, then she's probably kissing the right sort of person.
In another revelation about her diet, Quinn revealed to PEOPLE that she has severely restricted what she eats - often only eating porridge and a hypoallergenic baby formula.
She supplements her diet with a number of vitamins.
Speaking of potential cravings, Quinn said: "It would make sense to crave things and miss food and be sick of oatmeal. But my survival brain kicks in, reminding me of the ramifications of symptoms, and frankly, it's not worth it."
For example, lying down at the beach and a dog runs up and gives a kiss - as dogs tend to do.
Quinn states that she's "in tune" with her body and if she's feeling symptomatic she won't kiss someone that day - but she doesn't let her allergies hold her back.
However through it all, Quinn notes that if somebody has to follow these rules to kiss her and they are okay with it, then she's probably kissing the right sort of person.
In another revelation about her diet, Quinn revealed to PEOPLE that she has severely restricted what she eats - often only eating porridge and a hypoallergenic baby formula.
She supplements her diet with a number of vitamins.
Speaking of potential cravings, Quinn said: "It would make sense to crave things and miss food and be sick of oatmeal. But my survival brain kicks in, reminding me of the ramifications of symptoms, and frankly, it's not worth it."
Featured image credit: ruizluquepaz/Getty
