Woman Suffers From Rare Condition That Makes Kissing On The Lips A Potentially Life-Threatening Risk

Caroline Cray Quinn has a rare and dangerous health condition that makes something as innocent as a kiss potentially life-threatening.

While sharing a kiss at a nightclub or bar might seem like a casual moment for many people, for Caroline, it could turn into a serious situation.

Caroline, a 25-year-old from Boston, suffers from a condition called mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). 

Instagram / @carolinecray2

This immune disease causes her cells to mistakenly identify various substances as severe allergens, triggering dangerous reactions.

The condition is exceptionally rare, affecting only about one in 150,000 people, and for Caroline, it means dealing with numerous challenges every single day.

She can experience flare-ups Instagram / @carolinecray2

Life with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

Food is one of Caroline’s biggest concerns. She can only eat oats and a hypoallergenic formula because almost any other food could cause her to experience life-threatening symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling, or even loss of consciousness.

Her condition severely limits her diet and makes eating a daily struggle.

MCAS has also affected her dating life in significant ways. Caroline has had to create strict guidelines for anyone who might want to kiss her. 

She told Need To Know, "In order for someone to kiss me, they cannot eat anything three hours prior.

"They also cannot eat any of my six main anaphylactic allergens - peanuts, nuts, sesame, mustard, seafood, or kiwi - 24 hours prior to kissing me.

“And they have to brush their teeth before kissing me."

Caroline Cray Quinn suffers with extreme food allergies, meaning she can only eat oats hypoallergenic formula Instagram / @carolinecray2

These rules were recommended by her MCAS specialist after her diagnosis to help her stay safe during intimate moments.

Although this may seem like a lot to ask, these precautions are necessary to keep Caroline out of danger.

Navigating Relationships with MCAS

Despite these strict requirements, Caroline has been fortunate enough to avoid any major health incidents caused by kissing.

She explained, "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 described what happens during these minor reactions: "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.

“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.”

A Positive Outlook on Her Unique Situation

Caroline has a surprisingly positive attitude about her situation. She even believes that her specific rules for kissing are like a ‘cheat code to dating’.

She 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.”

Finding Love with MCAS

Caroline’s approach to dating has paid off, as she has now settled down with her boyfriend Ryan, who completely understands her condition and is more than happy to follow the guidelines to keep her safe.

Even though kissing still poses a risk due to her condition, Caroline isn’t letting it hold her back from living her life. She said, "Kissing boys is definitely a risk.

Instagram / @carolinecray2

“It invites potential instability into my life, but so does everyday life for me - for example, I am so allergic to dogs and cats, and it’s technically a risk for me to just leave the house or go to the beach.

“I could be laying down on the beach sunbathing and all of a sudden a dog could come up and lick my face. [That would be] immediate anaphylaxis.

“But I’m not going to not go to the beach just because I’m scared of the worst-case scenario.”