After a student nearly died from an allergic reaction to a classmate's Axe body spray, Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Penn. has asked the student body to stop using the spray.
Freshman Brandon Silk was hospitalized with a nine-day episode that began with an allergy attack at his school. Through the ordeal, his throat closed three times and he complained of hives.
Now the school’s administration has asked for the community’s help in making sure another such incident does not occur.
“The purpose of this posting is to make all parents, staff and students aware of a medical issue involving a Freedom High School student having an extreme allergy to Axe Body Spray. This allergy is potentially life threatening for this student,” the school’s website says. “My request to all Freedom Family members is that we take into consideration this student’s allergy to Axe Body Spray and refrain from using it as your cologne or fragrance of choice while attending Freedom High School.”
Brandon’s mother Rosa Silk spoke with reporters from local TV station WFMZ about the incident.
"It's definitely something in the AXE spray that's causing or triggering whatever is going on in his body," Rosa said.
"I started feeling like my throat close up and then hives breaking out on my arm," Brandon said.
Brandon has apparently suffered from the allergy for two years now. While he is taking prescription drugs to prevent another attack, he is currently learning from home to avoid Axe spray.
CBS News spoke to the company that makes Axe, Unilever, which said it is investigating the situation and is alarmed by the news.
“The company says in a statement that the safety and well-being of users ‘is always our first priority’ and consumers with concerns should call the toll-free number on the back of the package,” CBS News reported.
