A mother has issued an urgent warning to parents after her toddler suffered a terrifying allergic reaction to Play-Doh, a popular children's modelling compound.
The incident occurred when the child, who had no known allergies, began experiencing severe swelling and difficulty breathing shortly after playing with the toy. The mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, described the ordeal as "every parent's worst nightmare."
Emergency Response
"Within minutes of playing, his face started swelling up and he was struggling to breathe," the mother recalled. "We rushed him to hospital where doctors confirmed it was an anaphylactic reaction."
Medical professionals identified wheat flour - a primary ingredient in Play-Doh - as the likely trigger for the severe allergic response.
Manufacturer's Response
Hasbro, the company that produces Play-Doh, states clearly on their packaging that the product contains wheat and may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. However, the mother argues this warning isn't prominent enough.
"As a parent, you don't expect something as common as Play-Doh to be dangerous," she said. "The warning needs to be much more visible."
Expert Advice
Allergy UK has since reminded parents to:
- Always check toy ingredients carefully
- Be aware that common allergens can appear in unexpected products
- Have an action plan if their child has known allergies
The organisation also recommends that parents of children with wheat allergies consider alternative modelling compounds that are wheat-free.
A Mother's Plea
"I just want other parents to be aware," the mother stressed. "This could happen to anyone. Check everything your child plays with, even things you think are completely safe."
The child has since recovered but now carries an epinephrine auto-injector as a precaution against future allergic reactions.
