logo
What is the 'dusting' challenge? 19-year old dies after participating in viral trend online

What is the 'dusting' challenge? 19-year old dies after participating in viral trend online

Express Tribune19 hours ago

A 19-year-old Arizona teenager has died after participating in a deadly social media trend called the 'dusting challenge,' sparking urgent warnings from doctors and devastated parents.
Renna O'Rourke was declared brain dead after inhaling computer dusting spray—a form of inhalant abuse known as 'dusting' or 'chroming'—that replaces oxygen in the body, causing sudden organ failure.
Renna's father, Aaron O'Rourke, confirmed her death on June 1 after four days in intensive care. 'She always said, 'I'm gonna be famous, Dad. Just you watch. I'm gonna be famous,'' he told AZ Family. 'Unfortunately this is not under the most optimal of circumstances.'
The 'dusting' trend has gained traction online among teens, who inhale cleaning sprays to feel temporarily euphoric. Dr. Randy Weisman of HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center said, 'It replaces the oxygen within their lungs and body,' noting it can lead to heart failure, liver damage, and death.
Renna's official cause of death was sudden sniffing death syndrome. A GoFundMe page set up by her father is raising funds for medical and funeral costs, and aims to spread awareness of the lethal consequences of inhalant abuse.
The family is urging parents to take action. 'Don't trust. That sounds horrible, but it could save their life,' Dana added.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

What is the 'dusting' challenge? 19-year old dies after participating in viral trend online
What is the 'dusting' challenge? 19-year old dies after participating in viral trend online

Express Tribune

time19 hours ago

  • Express Tribune

What is the 'dusting' challenge? 19-year old dies after participating in viral trend online

A 19-year-old Arizona teenager has died after participating in a deadly social media trend called the 'dusting challenge,' sparking urgent warnings from doctors and devastated parents. Renna O'Rourke was declared brain dead after inhaling computer dusting spray—a form of inhalant abuse known as 'dusting' or 'chroming'—that replaces oxygen in the body, causing sudden organ failure. Renna's father, Aaron O'Rourke, confirmed her death on June 1 after four days in intensive care. 'She always said, 'I'm gonna be famous, Dad. Just you watch. I'm gonna be famous,'' he told AZ Family. 'Unfortunately this is not under the most optimal of circumstances.' The 'dusting' trend has gained traction online among teens, who inhale cleaning sprays to feel temporarily euphoric. Dr. Randy Weisman of HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center said, 'It replaces the oxygen within their lungs and body,' noting it can lead to heart failure, liver damage, and death. Renna's official cause of death was sudden sniffing death syndrome. A GoFundMe page set up by her father is raising funds for medical and funeral costs, and aims to spread awareness of the lethal consequences of inhalant abuse. The family is urging parents to take action. 'Don't trust. That sounds horrible, but it could save their life,' Dana added.

Harris family TikTok scandal: Munchausen by proxy speculation targets Allanah Harris
Harris family TikTok scandal: Munchausen by proxy speculation targets Allanah Harris

Express Tribune

time20-11-2024

  • Express Tribune

Harris family TikTok scandal: Munchausen by proxy speculation targets Allanah Harris

The popular Harris Family on TikTok has recently become embroiled in a controversy. Australian couple Brock and Allanah Harris are under scrutiny after allegations surfaced claiming Allanah drugged their one-year-old daughter, Daisy, leading to months of hospitalization and unnecessary brain surgeries. According to a report dated November 19, Daisy was never seriously ill, despite reports of a severe medical condition. Allegations suggest Allanah intentionally gave Daisy a drug called benzodiazepines to simulate symptoms, sparking criticism from the family's millions of followers. As a result, Daisy became lethargic and unwell, requiring hospital admission. The US Drug Enforcement Administration states that benzodiazepines are a class of sedative medications used to treat conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Additionally, a report speculates that Allanah may suffer from Munchausen by proxy. According to MedlinePlus, this is a mental health condition where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in someone under their care to gain sympathy, attention, or other benefits. During Daisy's medical treatments, including surgeries, the Harris family appealed to their TikTok followers to help with medical expenses. They also launched a GoFundMe page, which reportedly raised a significant amount of money. The controversy began when an anonymous social media user shared information online. After spotting inconsistencies in Allanah's posts, nurses monitoring her social media claimed she was sharing false information for attention. These concerns led to further investigation, which eventually revealed that Daisy's symptoms were caused by elevated benzodiazepine levels in her system. According to the same report by Ghana Celebrities, the anonymous source alleged via a screenshot that either Brock or Allanah had drugged their daughter. The source wrote on TikTok: 'Got some Harris family goss for you. So the mum/dad or mum and dad have drugged Daisy the whole time! Some of the nurses started following her insta page/tiktok and was like hmm no, she's spreading false info- she doesn't have brain tumors and she was never palliative."

TikToker Allanah Alison of Harris family accused of drugging infant child
TikToker Allanah Alison of Harris family accused of drugging infant child

Express Tribune

time19-11-2024

  • Express Tribune

TikToker Allanah Alison of Harris family accused of drugging infant child

Allanah Harris, also known as Allanah Alison, is accused of drugging her one-year-old daughter, Daisy, leading to months of hospitalization and two unnecessary brain surgeries. Despite the severity of Daisy's alleged medical condition, reports indicate she was never actually ill. The Australian TikTok mother, alongside her husband Brock Harris, had garnered over one million followers by documenting their family life online. However, this seemingly wholesome content has been overshadowed by accusations that Allanah deliberately caused Daisy's symptoms by administering benzodiazepines. Critics speculate that Allanah may suffer from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a disorder where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in someone under their care for attention or sympathy. During Daisy's prolonged medical ordeal, the Harris family sought financial support from their followers, raising a substantial amount through a GoFundMe campaign. The allegations came to light after an anonymous whistleblower shared details on social media. Nurses following Allanah's social media noticed discrepancies in her posts, which led them to suspect foul play. Their concerns prompted further investigation, ultimately uncovering that Daisy's symptoms were linked to elevated levels of benzodiazepines in her system. A toxicology report confirmed the findings, prompting Child Protective Services to intervene. Daisy and the couple's other three children were subsequently removed from their custody, with reports indicating that Daisy is now recovering well under protective care. In the wake of these revelations, Brock Harris released a public statement denying any involvement in Allanah's alleged actions. 'I had no idea about what Allanah was doing to Daisy. I pushed for those surgeries because I thought they were necessary,' he said. Brock expressed deep regret for not recognizing the situation sooner and emphasized his love for his children, adding, 'I'm so sorry.' Social media reactions to the scandal have been intense, with users expressing a mix of outrage and vindication. While many were shocked, others claimed they had long suspected something was wrong. Allanah's documentation of her children's health struggles had drawn criticism in the past, with some accusing her of exploiting their pain for clout and financial gain. The case has sparked broader discussions about the ethical boundaries of sharing personal family content online. It also highlights the potential dangers of using social media as a platform for gaining sympathy and financial support, especially when vulnerable individuals are involved. As of now, Allanah faces serious legal consequences, including potential charges of child abuse and fraud. Brock's role remains under investigation, as authorities work to determine whether he was complicit or genuinely unaware of his wife's alleged actions. Daisy's recovery under protective care has brought some relief, and she is reportedly doing well, described as 'awake, sitting up, eating, and being a normal one-year-old.' However, the Harris family's dramatic fall from grace has left many questioning the authenticity of family influencers and the responsibility platforms have in monitoring such content.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store