BBC The One Show's Megan McKenna shares terrifying allergic reaction ordeal as she prepare

The One Show star Megan McKenna opened up (Image: BBC)

BBC's The One Show star Megan McKenna was rushed to hospital after a severe allergic reaction. While presenting a segment on allergies with Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas, she revealed her own terrifying experience.

In a flashback video from April 2024, she described her symptoms: "I'm still very swollen underneath my neck and underneath my tongue."

She further explained: "In April, I was rushed to hospital after having a serious allergic reaction to my medication. My neck and tongue swelled to the point where I had to call 999 and was taken to A&E. I also have a wheat allergy, so all my life I've had to be really conscious about what I eat."

She expressed her concerns for her unborn child due to her wheat allergy. Megan also discussed a study that found children are less likely to develop peanut allergies if exposed to them at a young age.

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A professor from King's College London found that only 3% of babies given peanut butter regularly developed an allergy by age five, reports Wales Online.

Megan spoke to a professor about his research (Image: BBC)

Megan described the study as "mind blowing" after meeting with parents of children who suffer from allergies. She highlighted the importance of clinical settings for any interventions and warned against giving whole nuts to babies due to the risk of choking.

She shared her relief, saying: "For me, hearing [the parents] speak about their children is so reassuring, especially as a mum to be. It's made me feel less anxious, it's making me feel, 'Is there actually hope for people with allergies?'"

Earlier in the year, Megan experienced a severe allergic reaction that caused her neck and tongue to swell dramatically. Recounting the terrifying ordeal on Instagram Stories, she revealed: "It was affecting my swallowing and everything. It was so scary."

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Megan opened up about her experiences (Image: BBC)

Detailing the events leading up to her hospitalisation, Megan said: "The day before I rang 111 and they sent paramedic round and they sent me to an emergency dentist where they prescribed me metronidazole and was on that for a day but as soon as I started taking it I started to feel weird. My neck started hurting, the swelling got worse, I was being sick and that's why yesterday they told me to ring 999 if my swelling got worse, obviously because it can stop you from breathing."

Upon the arrival of paramedics, the situation escalated due to the potential for a secondary reaction. Megan continued: "When the paramedics came they said I could have a secondary reaction because my tongue was really really swollen so they needed me to be in hospital to give me everything they needed to. When I got there they gave me steroids and I'm still on them now for a few days, and gave me an antihistamine and they have changed my antibiotics. I'm now on different one.

"I've had root canal and it is now all about getting better, like it is just so bad. I just think being pregnant has made my body so much more sensitive, I'm allergic to so many things."

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BBC The One Show's Megan McKenna shares terrifying allergic reaction ordeal as she prepare

BBC The One Show's Megan McKenna shares terrifying allergic reaction ordeal as she prepare

BBC The One Show's Megan McKenna shares terrifying allergic reaction ordeal as she prepare

BBC The One Show's Megan McKenna shares terrifying allergic reaction ordeal as she prepare

BBC The One Show's Megan McKenna shares terrifying allergic reaction ordeal as she prepare