Aussie mum sounds alarm over fire ant threat hiding in backyards
An Aussie mum is calling for greater awareness of the dangers of fire ants after her son became gravely ill from multiple stings on their own property.
An Aussie mum is calling for greater awareness of the dangers of fire ants after her son became gravely ill from multiple stings on their own property.
Queensland m Ebony said her teenage son Caleb suffered a life-threatening allergic reaction after being stung twice in late 2023.
The first time he was stung once on the foot and went into full anaphylaxis within five minutes, despite having no prior allergies.
Ebony told Yahoo News, Caleb spent 2 days.
In hospital because he couldn't breathe.
His face swelled up completely and he broke out in hives all over his body.
Days after he was discharged, he was stung again, this time 3 times on his foot, and the reaction was even more severe.
Ebony said, We used an EpiPen at home and called an ambulance straight away.
When paramedics arrived, they gave him another adrenaline shot, but by then, he was in serious trouble.
He couldn't breathe at all.
He was completely anaphylactic.
They had to rush him to the hospital where he received.
More adrenaline and an antihistamine shot.
He was kept there for another 2 to 3 days.
Ebony admitted she wasn't aware just how dangerous fire ants could be, but after Caleb's second near fatal reaction, she demanded action.
She contacted Queensland's Department of Primary Industries to report the total infestation on her property.
While the department sent an officer to apply treatment, Ebony felt that their response was inadequate.
Caleb has since developed a lifelong allergy to fire ants.
Because the ants inject venom, repeated stings can cause sensitization, meaning each reaction becomes more severe.
Ebony is urging Aussies to take the fire ant threat seriously, saying, people need to know that you may not be allergic for the first few bites, but every single time you get bitten after that, your reactions worsen.
Fire ants, particularly the red imported fire ant, are predominantly found in Southeast Queensland, where they infest 830,000 hectares in the region.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
He had a late-night snack after graduating from college. An allergic reaction killed him.
Hear this story After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Timothy Howard had his whole life ahead of him. But that bright future was tragically cut short when he died just days later from a severe allergic reaction to a late-night snack — a chocolate bar — that was contaminated with peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, told USA TODAY. Timmy's whole body went into shock. He went into his parents' bedroom, and they administered three EpiPens, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions, but the reaction was "very fast," and the EpiPen "didn't work." Now, his family is sharing their story to prevent other families from losing a loved one to food allergies. His sister, Julia, says manufacturers need to make food labels clearer instead of relying on "may contain" warnings. His dad, Tim, says that individuals also need to carefully read those labels. Timmy's college fraternity brothers are raising money for the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a nonprofit advocacy organization that spreads awareness and funds research for food allergies. They've raised nearly $28,000 as of June 10, according to his mother. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. "We don't want people to go through what we're going through after burying our child. This is hell," his mother says. How to check food labels for allergies Howard's story is frightening and not entirely uncommon. Food allergies impact more than 33 million people in the U.S. You can never assume a food or object is free of your allergen, experts say, as it can lurk in the most unexpected places. Fish and shellfish, for example, are sometimes dipped in milk to reduce their fishy odor, putting those with dairy allergies at risk. Cross-contamination – when an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food to another – can also expose you to an allergen. Federal laws require that the nine most common allergens – milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame – must be labeled on packaged foods sold in the U.S. However, there are no laws requiring manufacturers to say whether a product may have come into contact with a specific allergen, allowing potential cross-contamination to fly under the radar. The chocolate bar Timmy ate said "may contain" peanuts on the label, according to his parents. His mother wants other parents to tell their kids – regardless of their age – to "be aware of what they're eating." "If it does say 'may contain,' don't eat it," she added. What health & wellness means for you: Sign up for USA TODAY's Keeping It Together newsletter. How to treat anaphylactic reactions Anaphylactic reactions most commonly occur in response to foods, insect stings, medications and latex, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. In addition to EpiPens, the FDA approved a new nasal spray in August 2024 as the first needle-free emergency treatment for potentially fatal allergic reactions. Neffy FDA approval: First nasal spray for allergic reactions gets green light The spray, which is made by ARS Pharmaceuticals and sold under the brand name Neffy, is seen as an alternative to EpiPen and other autoinjectors that are filled with epinephrine, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions. However, these treatments don't always work. Epinephrine begins to work immediately after it is administered, but its full effect may take 5-10 minutes. And, the drug can begin to wear off within 20-30 minutes — sometimes before the allergic reaction has subsided. Timing is also crucial. For an epinephrine injection to work, it should be given at the first sign of an allergic reaction. "Let's come together in remembrance of Timmy and help build a safer future for all," Timmy's friends wrote on the fundraising page. Contributing: Katie Camero.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why sorghum might be the most underrated superfood
I love quinoa and barley, but I hadn't heard of sorghum until now. Here's why I'm making it a part of my diet. I love adding quinoa to my salads and I'm all about overnight oats, but now I plan to try sorghum, an ancient grain with a nutty flavor and couscous-like texture that's been called an underrated superfood. Not only is it high in micronutrients like iron, magnesium, B vitamins and potassium, but half a cup contains 10 grams of protein and over 6 grams of fiber. These macronutrients keep you full and satisfied, helping to prevent overeating, dietitian Lena Bakovic explains. One thing I'm trying this week? Eating popped sorghum instead of popcorn during my next movie night in. I'm also topping it with some nutritional yeast and herbs like dried dill for a flavorful, protein-rich snack. [Real Simple] Are you already on the sorghum train? Let me know how you enjoy it. See ya! About One Small Thing: One Small Thing is a daily health newsletter from Yahoo News.
USA Today
11 hours ago
- USA Today
He had a late-night snack after graduating college. An allergic reaction killed him.
He had a late-night snack after graduating college. An allergic reaction killed him. Timmy Howard passed away just days after graduating from the University of Rhode Island. His parents want to save others' lives by bringing awareness to food allergies. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Timothy Howard had his whole life ahead of him. But that bright future was tragically cut short when he died just days later from a severe allergic reaction to a late-night snack — a chocolate bar — that was contaminated with peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, told USA TODAY. Timmy's whole body went into shock. He went into his parents' bedroom, and they administered three EpiPens, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions, but the reaction was "very fast," and the EpiPen "didn't work." Now, his family is sharing their story to prevent other families from losing a loved one to food allergies. His sister, Julia, says manufacturers need to make food labels clearer instead of relying on "may contain" warnings. His dad, Tim, says that individuals also need to carefully read those labels. Timmy's college fraternity brothers are raising money for the Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), a nonprofit advocacy organization that spreads awareness and funds research for food allergies. They've raised nearly $28,000 as of June 10, according to his mother. "We don't want people to go through what we're going through after burying our child. This is hell," his mother says. How to check food labels for allergies Howard's story is frightening and not entirely uncommon. Food allergies impact more than 33 million people in the U.S. It's a 'growing, silent public health crisis,' said FARE CEO Sung Poblete. You can never assume a food or object is free of your allergen, experts say, as it can lurk in the most unexpected places. Fish and shellfish, for example, are sometimes dipped in milk to reduce their fishy odor, putting those with dairy allergies at risk. Cross-contamination – when an allergen is accidentally transferred from one food to another – can also expose you to an allergen. Federal laws require that the nine most common allergens – milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and sesame – must be labeled on packaged foods sold in the U.S. However, there are no laws requiring manufacturers to say whether a product may have come into contact with a specific allergen, allowing potential cross-contamination to fly under the radar. The chocolate bar Timmy ate said "may contain" peanuts on the label, according to his parents. His mother wants other parents to tell their kids – regardless of their age – to "be aware of what they're eating." "If it does say 'may contain,' don't eat it," she added. How to treat anaphylactic reactions Anaphylactic reactions most commonly occur in response to foods, insect stings, medications and latex, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. In addition to EpiPens, the FDA approved a new nasal spray in August 2024 as the first needle-free emergency treatment for potentially fatal allergic reactions. Neffy FDA approval: First nasal spray for allergic reactions gets green light The spray, which is made by ARS Pharmaceuticals and sold under the brand name Neffy, is seen as an alternative to EpiPen and other autoinjectors that are filled with epinephrine, a life-saving drug used by people at risk of anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions. However, these treatments don't always work. Epinephrine begins to work immediately after it is administered, but its full effect may take 5-10 minutes. And, the drug can begin to wear off within 20-30 minutes — sometimes before the allergic reaction has subsided. Timing is also crucial. For an epinephrine injection to work, it should be given at the first sign of an allergic reaction. "Let's come together in remembrance of Timmy and help build a safer future for all," Timmy's friends wrote on the fundraising page. Contributing: Katie Camero.
