After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Timothy Howard had his life before him.
But that bright future tragically shortened when he passed away several days later to his mother, Patty Howard, a severe allergic reaction to a late-night snack (chocolate bar) contaminated with peanuts.
Timmy’s whole body was shocked. He went into his parents’ bedroom and administered three EpiPen, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions, but the response was “very fast” and the EpiPen “didn’t work.”
Now his family shares their stories to prevent other families from losing their loved ones to food allergies. His sister, Julia, says manufacturers need to make food labels more clear rather than resorting to warnings that “may be included.” His dad, Tim, says individuals should also read those labels carefully.
Timmy’s College Fraternity Brothers raises funds for Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). It is a nonprofit advocacy organization that spreads research into food allergy awareness and fundraising. According to their mothers, they had raised nearly $28,000 as of June 10th.
“We don’t want people to experience what we are going through after we bury our kids. This is hell,” says his mother.
How to check food labels for allergies
Howard’s story is horrifying and not entirely uncommon.
Food allergies affect more than 33 million people in the United States. Experts say you never assume that food or food is free of your allergens.
For example, fish shellfish are soaked in milk to reduce the smell of fish, putting dairy allergies at risk. Cross-contamination – If an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food to another, it can also be exposed to allergens.
Under federal law, nine most common allergens – milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soybeans, wheat, fish, shellfish, and sesame seeds, must be labeled with packaging foods sold in the United States.
However, there is no law that requires manufacturers to decide whether the product may have come into contact with a particular allergen.
According to his parents, Chocolate Bartimmy said “it was “contained” on the label. His mother hopes that other parents will tell them “know what they are eating,” regardless of their age.
“If you say, ‘may contain it, don’t eat it,” she added.
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How to treat anaphylactic reactions
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, anaphylactic reactions are most commonly occurring in response to food, insect bites, drugs, and latex.
In addition to Epipens, the FDA approved a new nose spray in August 2024 as a first needle-free emergency treatment for a potentially fatal allergic reaction.
The spray, made by ARS Pharmaceuticals and sold under the brand name Neffy, is considered an alternative to epinephrine-filled epinephrine and other autoinjectors, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions.
However, these treatments do not always work. Epinephrine begins to function immediately after administration, but its full effect can take 5-10 minutes. And this medicine can start to wear out within 20-30 minutes. Sometimes before the allergic reaction subsides.
Timing is also important. For epinephrine injections to work, they should be given as the first sign of an allergic reaction.
“Let’s remind you of Timmy and help you build a safer future for everyone,” a friend of Timmy wrote on the fundraising page.
Contribution: Katie Camello.