# A toy, an energy drink or a hair oil: the unusual places where you can encounter a severe allergic reaction

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/a-toy-an-energy-drink-or-a-hair-oil-the-unusual-places-where-you-can-encounter-a-severe-allergic-reaction/
- Published: 2026-11-13T11:44:33+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T12:34:08+00:00
- Original publisher: El País (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://english.elpais.com/health/2026-11-13/a-toy-an-energy-drink-or-a-hair-oil-the-unusual-places-where-you-can-encounter-a-severe-allergic-reaction.html
- Topics: Culture, Food, Health, Medicine, Offbeat, Weird & Viral, World

## Key points

- An energy drink containing cod collagen triggered a severe reaction.
- Hair oil and squishy toys were also linked to rare cases.
- Medicines and foods account for most anaphylaxis triggers.

## Summary

Three unusual cases presented at an American allergy conference show that severe allergic reactions can be triggered by unexpected products, including an energy drink, hair oil and a squishy toy. The cases highlight how hidden ingredients and manufacturing methods can matter, while specialists stress that anaphylaxis remains uncommon and most children with allergies will not experience it.

A 15-year-old needed two doses of epinephrine after a drink containing cod collagen triggered hives and breathing problems; a 10-year-old reacted to cold-pressed castor oil despite previously using hot-pressed oil without issue. An 11-year-old developed repeated symptoms after handling squishy toys, with testing pointing to latex sensitivity. Estimates suggest 50 to 112 anaphylaxis episodes per 100,000 people each year, and reported mortality ranges from 0.2% to 3%; medicines are linked to 56% of cases and foods to about one in four.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.