He had a late-night snack after graduating college. An allergic reaction killed him.
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.
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Treatments for allergic reactions Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines and decongestants might relieve minor symptoms of an allergic reaction. But you should talk with your doctor before taking any OTC medication to treat allergy symptoms. Antihistamines prevent symptoms such as hives by blocking histamine receptors so your body doesn't react to allergens. Decongestants help clear your nose and are especially effective for seasonal allergies — but do not take them for more than 3 days, as doing so may cause allergic reaction symptoms to return or worsen. These medications are available as tablets, eye drops, and nasal sprays. Many OTC drugs cause drowsiness, so do not take them before driving or doing work that requires a lot of concentration. To help reduce swelling, itching, and skin redness or other discoloration, you can apply ice and topical creams that contain corticosteroids. If OTC medications don't work to reduce your mild allergy symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. And call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to a medication. Treatments for food allergies The best remedy for a food allergy is usually to prevent a reaction by avoiding foods that trigger your allergy. If you accidentally eat a food you're allergic to or otherwise come into contact with it, OTC drugs can help reduce the reaction. But these drugs can only help relieve hives or itching. Oral cromolyn can help treat your other symptoms. It's available only by prescription, so talk with your doctor. If you have severe food allergies, carry epinephrine with you to treat any reaction you might have. Treatments for plant or bite allergies The treatment for a plant or bite allergy varies depending on the type of allergen. Poisonous plants According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, up to 75% of adults in the United States will have an allergic reaction when they touch poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. A sticky substance on these plants, which is called urushiol, binds to your skin upon contact. Symptoms can range from mild redness and itching to severe blisters and swelling. The first time you have contact with one of these plants, a rash might take up to 3 weeks to appear. But if it's not your first exposure, the rash may develop sooner, within 1 to 2 days. In either case, the rash usually lasts 1 to 3 weeks. If you've touched poisonous plants, take the following steps: Avoid touching other areas of your body, especially your face. Clean the affected area with soap and water for at least 10 minutes. Take a cool bath. Apply calamine lotion or another anti-itching lotion three or four times per day to relieve itching. Soothe inflamed areas with oatmeal products or 1% hydrocortisone cream. Wash all clothing and shoes in hot water. These steps focus on removing the urushiol from your skin. Severe reactions in children may require a doctor's visit, and a doctor may prescribe oral steroids or stronger creams to ease symptoms. Contact your doctor if you have a high fever and any of the following symptoms: worsening itching a rash that spreads to sensitive areas, such as your eyes or mouth a rash that does not improve a rash that is tender or has pus and yellow scabs Despite some claims, there's no scientific evidence to suggest that scratching an open wound leads to poison in your bloodstream. The leftover oil (urushiol) touches only the immediate area. You can avoid spreading the oil by immediately washing the affected area with soap and water. Insect stings Most people will have some reaction to an insect bite, but the most serious reaction is an allergic one. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 1.6% to 5.1% of people in the United States may have had a life threatening allergic reaction to an insect sting at some point. Most common insect stings are from: bees wasps yellow jackets hornets fire ants You can treat insect stings with these first aid methods: Remove the stinger with a straight-edged object, such as a credit card, using a brushing motion. Avoid pulling or squeezing the stinger or using tweezers to remove it, as doing so may release more venom into your body. Wash the area with soap and water, and then apply an antiseptic. Apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. Cover the area with a bandage. If there's swelling, apply a cold compress to the area. Take an antihistamine to reduce itching, swelling, and hives. Take an OTC pain reliever if needed. If you're pregnant, get the OK from your doctor before taking any OTC medications. Children should not take aspirin because of the risk of a rare but fatal condition called Reye syndrome. Jellyfish stings The American Red Cross recommends taking the following steps if a jellyfish stings you or someone else: Remove any tentacles from the skin. You can rinse them off with seawater or use an object to scrape them off. You can also use your hand, but be sure to cover it with a glove, towel, or plastic bag first. Submerge the affected area of skin in hot water for 20 minutes, or apply another heat source such as a chemical heat pack. Apply lidocaine gel if you have it. (If you don't have a heat source to use in step 2, you can apply this gel right after step 1.) Do not rub the skin or cover it with an elastic bandage. Monitor the person's condition for changes or symptoms of shock. While you might have heard that urinating on a jellyfish sting can reduce the pain, older research has not found it to be helpful. In fact, it might increase the pain. Treatment for drug allergies If you experience a serious drug reaction, antihistamines, corticosteroids, or epinephrine may be necessary to treat it. For most types of drug allergies, your doctor should be able to prescribe an alternative medication to help you avoid a reaction. Otherwise, your doctor might recommend a desensitization procedure, which involves taking small doses of the medication until your body can manage the dosage you need. How to prevent allergic reactions Once you've had an allergic reaction, it's important to identify the trigger and avoid future contact with that allergen. If you have ingredient-specific allergies, check the ingredients on foods or other products before purchase. Applying lotion before going hiking or camping may help prevent poison ivy from spreading or absorbing into your skin. The more you can avoid contact with allergens, the less likely you are to have an allergic reaction. Make sure your family, friends, and co-workers know about your allergies. Tell them where you keep your epinephrine auto-injector and show them how to use it. Teaching others how to treat an allergic reaction can help save a life. Takeaway Allergies to substances such as foods, insect stings, and medications can range from mild to serious. While some allergic reactions may cause only mild irritation, a severe reaction can lead to a life threatening condition called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include itching, hives, nausea, and trouble breathing. If you or someone you're with develops symptoms of anaphylaxis, call 911. If you have severe allergies, your doctor will prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector. Carry it with you at all times in case of a reaction, and use it at the first sign of symptoms. For mild allergic reactions, first aid procedures and OTC medications can help reduce pain and irritation.
