Axe Body Spray not welcome at Pa. high school after "life-threatening" allergic reaction

Michael Buckner/Getty Images for AXE

BETHLEHEM, Pa. An eastern Pennsylvania teenager whose allergic reaction to Axe Body Spray prompted officials at his high school to ask students to stop using the fragrance is now being taught at home.

Freedom High School in Bethlehem this week asked students to stop using Axe as a cologne or fragrance due to a student's allergic reaction.

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"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," read a statement on the school's website. "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."

On Wednesday, Rosa Silk told WFMZ-TV the student who suffered the reaction was her son, 15-year-old Brandon Silk. In the span of nine days, the family says his throat closed up three times after breathing in the smell, and he had to be rushed to the hospital.

"I started feeling like my throat close up and then hives breaking out on my arm," the freshman told WFMZ-TV.

A nurse reportedly had to use an EpiPen on him before he was transported to the hospital for the latest incident. The station added he's been treated for this allergy since 2011, and is taking several kinds of steroids for treatment. For now, he's being taught at home to reduce his exposure.

Unilever, which makes Axe, says it is looking into the report. 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.

Allergies to fragrances can cause sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, headaches, inability to concentrate, dizziness, breathing difficulties, wheezing, and skin reactions such as itching, hives, and rashes, according to WebMD.

[PureNaturalDiva]

With 30-40% of Americans suffering from allergic reactions to perfumes and fragrances, this reaction while extreme, is all to common.

Hopefully this can help more people learn about some of the side effects caused by products of this nature.

I created a video response with a few thoughts.
http://www.purenaturaldiva.com/2013/03/axe-body-spray-allergic-reaction-not-an-isolated-incident/

[VEMurr]

My teen daughter also had a severe allergic reaction due to some kids messing around and spraying Axe one her. Her whole face swell up and she had to be rushed to the emergency room. Needless to say, we've banned Axe from our home and warn family members and friends not to wear it when they come over--or else don't come over.

[ttipbc]

Too many guys use AXE as a substitute for good hygiene. Take a shower once in a while & you won't need this crap.

[marine1957]

"AXE Body Spray"

Even for it's name alone, I would never use AXE Body Spray because of all the AXE murderers from past history.

I would never purchase a Dirt Devil for any reason especially because of its name - I'm so rich, I have 3 ... an upstairs vacuum, a downstairs vacuum, and a shop vacuum).

I don't cook deviled eggs especially because of their name - I cook stuffed eggs.

I don't bake Devil's Food Cake for any reason especially because of its name - I bake Dark Chocolate Cake.

I am not a 'liberal' especially because of its definition (not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional, or established forms or ways).

I am a conservative especially because of its definition (one who adheres to traditional methods or views and is an adherent or advocate of philosophical conservatism not only in politics, but in personal, business, and political issues).

There are good and evil words in life, all of which represent mental pictures of meaning and ideology, and it is a wisdom of life to carefully observe their inferences.

[Jonseen]

I like it. I'm not quite as strict as you are about such things but I appreciate what you're saying and I agree with it.

The things you mention aren't so bad as all the movies and games people watch: I think that's what is really dangerous. People are attracted to evil these days and don't think anything is wrong with watching stuff that gets worse and worse all the time.

And just try to suggest they should turn off the shows, the videos, the games: they will insist they know what they're doing and it's just fantasy and no harm can come of it. But we NEVER had such daily headlines when I was a kid 50 years ago: things have changed and people can't even be warned about it because they love love love their evil stuff.

Well, you CAN change your ways. It's possible to learn new hobbies, new things that are much more wholesome. And, LOVE the NEW things far better than the old, because I've done it. There are many other paths people can take than the ones that go toward wickedness.

[capitalistic_pig]

I too have problems with Axe. Not as severe but it does cause me headaches and nausea. I know many others who have the same reaction. We banned smoking for this reason didn't we??