An Oklahoma father is using a personal tragedy to warn others about a social media trend. The “Benadryl challenge” landed his 15-year-old daughter in the hospital. Richard Presson said his daughter, Leah, was rushed to an Oklahoma City hospital after suffering seizures and has remained there for days, KOCO reported, in critical condition.
The trend, which has resurfaced online, pushes teenagers to take excessive amounts of an over-the-counter allergy medication, and it has been linked to hospitalizations and deaths nationwide. Presson said doctors initially thought Leah’s seizures might be related to her history of asthma. Her condition eventually worsened. The family met with a hospital chaplain who asked them to pray. Leah has since shown no brain activity, though Presson isn’t quite ready to give up. He’s still holding out hope for his daughter, however.
The Benadryl challenge first started spreading on TikTok in 2020. It encourages users to take dangerous amounts of diphenhydramine, the antihistamine sold as Benadryl, so they can start having hallucinations. The Food and Drug Administration has warned that taking more than the recommended dose can cause serious heart problems, seizures, comas, and even death.
The challenge has been linked to the deaths of several children, KFOR reported. Earlier cases include teenagers in Texas who were hospitalized after participating, and a 15-year-old in Oklahoma who died. Its return has prompted renewed warnings from doctors and poison control officials, who urge parents to talk with their children about the risks.
What Is the Benadryl Challenge?
Benadryl is a common over-the-counter medication used to treat allergies and, in some cases, as a sleep aid. Taken at the recommended dose, it’s considered safe for most people. The challenge, however, calls for taking far more than that, and at those levels the drug becomes dangerous.
Excessive diphenhydramine can change the heart’s normal rhythm as well as trigger seizures. Those heart rhythm problems can progress to cardiac arrest, which can cut off blood flow to the brain. Doctors who have treated patients with the challenge describe the line between a dose that causes hallucinations and one that is life-threatening as dangerously thin.
How Can Parents Help Protect Their Kids?
Parents can talk with their children directly about viral challenges and why some can be deadly. Keeping medications, including Benadryl, stored securely and out of reach, is a good idea. Parents and guardians should also keep an eye out for warning signs of an overdose, which can include confusion, a racing heartbeat, drowsiness, and seizures.
If a parent suspects a child has taken too much of any medication, they should call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. In an emergency, they should call 911 immediately. Dangerous challenges should also be reported to the social media platforms where they show up, so action can be taken to mitigate their potential damage.