Family is sharing their story of tragic loss to raise awareness about allergies

Food allergies are incredibly dangerous and can kill someone in just a few hours or even minutes. The importance of administering a life-saving EpiPen as quickly as possible is quite literally the difference between life and death. Families with children with allergies must be well-educated and aware of what they need to do to save their children in the event of an allergic reaction. Scarily, not all families are educated about their child’s allergy or given the resources that they need in the case of an emergency. This is what happened in 2016 when the Debb family’s 11-year-old son Oakley ate a piece of cake at Thanksgiving Dinner that unknowingly had traces of nuts in it. He died just hours later. This is his story.

Allergy Awareness: How It Could Have Saved Oakley’s Life

Oakley’s family describes him as a star athlete who loved being active and being outside. All of this, despite suffering from severe asthma and a nut and tree nut allergy. In fact, he had been hospitalized twice for more than ten days because of his asthma. Every specialist they visited was focused heavily on his life-threatening breathing condition while referring to his allergy as simply “mild.” So convinced they were that his allergy wasn’t a big deal when his EpiPen expired in 2012, the doctors decided not to renew his prescription. (1)

Because so much of Oakley’s medical treatment was focused on his asthma, his parents said that the doctors never really educated them on his allergy. They were told to give him Benadryl and weren’t educated on anaphylaxis at all. Considering the doctors kept repeating that Oakley’s allergy was mild, they believed them.

Thanksgiving Will Never Be The Same

On Thanksgiving of 2016, Oakley, his twin sister Olivia, and their parents went to Maine for a weekend with family. Oakley spent the entire day playing sports outside with his sister and cousins. He then didn’t eat much at dinner because he said that the food was too spicy for him. He was quite hungry, and when the family got home from dinner, he saw a pound cake on the counter that was part of a gift dinner box.

“Oakley was normally very good about checking labels for nuts and peanuts, but when he saw no obvious sign of nuts, he indulged.” the family explains on their website.

He realized after eating the cake that it might have nuts he went to his mom to tell her. She tasted some and agreed that it had a nutty taste. They followed the protocol and gave him a Benadryl. He had developed a hive on his lip, which quickly disappeared after taking the allergy pill. Oakley then went outside and played with his cousins for over an hour before coming inside to prepare for bed.

That’s when he began to experience chest pain. Quickly after, he complained of stomach pain before he started vomiting. Then his breathing began getting labored, so his mom began putting in place his asthma protocol. Before she could do that, however, things really took a downturn.

“Gasping for air, Oakley cried out, “Call 911!” Oakley then said, “I don’t want to die!” and fell unconscious in his father’s lap. He went limp and turned blue.”

No One Was Prepared

The first responders to arrive on the scene did not have epinephrine with them. At this point, Oakley had suffered a heart attack and was not breathing. Fifteen minutes later, the EMTs arrived and gave him epinephrine and CPR. They restored his heartbeat using defibrillators. Unfortunately, the time between his last breath and when the EMTs got his heart going again was too long. The family says that at this time, no one knew that he had gone into anaphylactic shock and was brain dead. Oakley was on a breathing apparatus for three days while his family desperately searched for a specialist who might be able to bring their little boy back. Finally, a brain scan revealed that there were no more oxygen cells in Oakley’s brain, from which there was no coming back.

Proper Allergy Awareness Could Have Saved His Life

After his death, his parents went over the situation again and again, trying to figure out how they could have prevented it. Everything came down to one simple answer: Allergy awareness. The first time they had even heard the word anaphylaxis was the day that Oakley was rushed to the hospital. Not only did Oakley’s doctors tell them not to carry an EpiPen, but they also weren’t trained on how to use one. They were not made aware of the fact that cofactors that exacerbate food allergy reactions are asthma, exercise prior to allergen ingestion, extreme air temperatures (it was quite cold that day), and an empty stomach. Despite not having an EpiPen, knowing those factors could have prompted them to take Oakley to the hospital immediately after ingesting the cake rather than waiting until he was barely breathing.

Red Sneakers for Oakley

When Oakley passed, he was wearing his favorite red sneakers that his parents had given to him as an early holiday present. From that, the family created the Red Sneakers campaign for allergy awareness. Their goal is to educate families about allergies and what can exacerbate even what was apparently a “mild” allergy, so that other families don’t have to suffer the same pain that they have.

“Whatever we can do to help people protect children who have these food allergies – labeling, education to protect these children so it never happens again,” said Oakley’s father, Robert. (2)

On the Red Sneakers for Oakley website (RSFO), the family wrote this about the foundation’s purpose:

The mission of the nonprofit 501c3 organization is grounded in the sense that education is desperately needed between allergists, hospitals, first-responders, parents, schools, and the general public. The foundation has dedicated its resources to education and advocacy for food allergy awareness across the globe. 

More On Nut Allergies

Nut allergies affect millions of people worldwide, and they can be life-threatening. While most individuals know the primary triggers that can cause an allergic reaction, such as peanuts or tree nuts, many are unaware of the potential cofactors that can exacerbate these allergies. In this article, we will delve deeper into nut allergies and explore the various cofactors that can make an allergic reaction worse.

Understanding Nut Allergies

Before we discuss cofactors, let us first understand what nut allergies are. Nut allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies the proteins present in nuts as harmful substances. This triggers an allergic reaction, causing symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include itching, hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

Primary Triggers: Peanuts and Tree Nuts

Peanuts and tree nuts are the primary triggers for most nut allergies. Peanuts, despite their name, are not true nuts but rather legumes. Tree nuts, on the other hand, encompass a wide range of nuts, including almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, and hazelnuts.

Cofactors that Worsen Allergic Reactions

While peanuts and tree nuts are the primary triggers for nut allergies, certain cofactors can make an allergic reaction worse. It is important to know these cofactors to prevent severe reactions and protect individuals with nut allergies. Some common cofactors include (3):

1. Exercise: Exercise-induced anaphylaxis is a condition where physical activity triggers an allergic reaction. In individuals with nut allergies, exercise can worsen the severity of the allergic reaction. It is crucial for those with nut allergies to be cautious and avoid strenuous exercise immediately after nut consumption.
2. Alcohol: Alcohol consumption, particularly beer or wine, has been found to potentiate allergic reactions in individuals with nut allergies. This phenomenon, known as a cofactor-associated food allergy, can lead to more severe symptoms than nut consumption alone. It is advisable for those with nut allergies to exercise caution when consuming alcoholic beverages.
3. Infections: Certain viral or bacterial infections, such as the common cold or respiratory infections, can exacerbate nut allergies. It is believed that these infections increase the body’s susceptibility to allergens, making allergic reactions more severe. Individuals with nut allergies should take extra precautions during periods of illness to minimize the risk of severe allergic reactions.
4. Stress: High levels of stress, whether physical or emotional, can weaken the immune system and increase the likelihood of an allergic reaction. For individuals with nut allergies, managing stress levels is crucial to minimize the risk of severe allergic reactions. Employing stress-reducing techniques like meditation, exercise, or therapy can be beneficial.

Precautions and Management

To protect individuals with nut allergies, it is essential to take necessary precautions and manage the condition effectively. Here are some practical steps that can be taken:

• Avoidance: The most effective way to prevent severe allergic reactions is to avoid nuts entirely. Read food labels carefully, ask about ingredients in restaurants, and educate friends, family, and colleagues about the importance of avoiding nuts to prevent cross-contamination.
• Carry emergency medication: Individuals with nut allergies should always carry an epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen) with them in case of a severe allergic reaction. It is crucial to know how to use it appropriately and replace it before it expires.
• Inform healthcare professionals: Keep healthcare professionals informed about nut allergies to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment plans. Regular check-ups can help monitor the condition and provide appropriate guidance for managing allergies.

By understanding the potential cofactors that can worsen nut allergies, individuals with these allergies can better protect themselves and manage potential risks. Taking proper precautions, avoiding known allergens, and staying informed are vital for living a safe and healthy life with nut allergies.

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