11-year-old girl dies after eating Pizza in Texas,: Know what happened

A school girl in Texas, Emerson Kate Cole, died after consuming pizza at Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School in La Joya. Her parents filed a lawsuit against the school for not following her medical plan, which included administering Benadryl. Dairy allergy is an adverse immune reaction to proteins found in cow’s milk, such as casein and whey. It is one of the most common food allergies, especially among children, although it can persist into adulthood.

A school girl in Texas has died of an allergic reaction after consuming pizza, Daily Mail has reported. The parents of the child have filed a lawsuit against the school authorities as ‘they claim her death could have been prevented had staff followed her medical plan.’

Emerson Kate Cole, a student at Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School in La Joya, Texas fell sick after consuming pizza at school. The school had called her mother and sought her permission to give her Benadryl, however, media reports say the child threw up the medicine. “By the time Cole’s grandmother arrived at the school, she collapsed. The young girl was given CPR by her worried family member until paramedics arrived, and she was taken to hospital,” the report says. She had a dairy allergy.

Dairy allergy is an adverse immune reaction to proteins found in cow’s milk, such as casein and whey. It is one of the most common food allergies, especially among children, although it can persist into adulthood. Symptoms of a dairy allergy can vary widely and may include hives, wheezing, itching, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history, skin prick tests, blood tests, and sometimes oral food challenges conducted under medical supervision. Once diagnosed, the primary management strategy is complete avoidance of dairy products and foods containing dairy ingredients. Reading food labels carefully is essential to avoid accidental exposure.

Those with dairy allergy are often advised to switch to alternatives, such as almond, soy, oat, and coconut milk, which provide nutritious options. These plant-based milks are often fortified with vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin D. They typically contain fewer calories and less saturated fat than cow’s milk. Dairy alternatives also extend to yogurt, cheese, and butter substitutes made from nuts, seeds, and legumes. Besides health benefits, they offer environmental advantages, requiring fewer resources and producing lower greenhouse gas emissions. These alternatives cater to a growing demand for sustainable and ethical food choices.

For individuals with a dairy allergy, having access to an epinephrine auto-injector is crucial. This life-saving device delivers a dose of epinephrine to counteract severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) rapidly. Prompt administration of epinephrine can prevent serious complications and save lives, making it an indispensable tool for managing dairy allergies effectively.