Young Girl’s Life-Threatening Reaction to Squishy Toy Sparks Urgent Allergy Warning
Young Girl’s Life-Threatening Reaction to Squishy Toy Sparks Urgent Allergy Warning
Cara Lynn ShultzFri, November 13, 2026 at 7:55 PM UTC
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Stock image of a child playing with a squishy toyCredit: Getty -
An 11-year-old girl needed emergency care twice after handling different squishy toys at home and school
Testing later found a latex sensitivity despite no previous history of anaphylaxis or latex allergies
Doctors say undisclosed toy ingredients may pose risks for children with unexplained severe reactions
A young girl went into anaphylaxis and had to be rushed to the hospital — twice — after playing with two different types of squishy toys.
An 11-year-old girl was playing with a squishy toy at her home, according to a case study being presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, which is underway in Phoenix, Ariz. The wildly popular collectible toys come in a variety of shapes and textures, with limited edition and rare versions becoming highly coveted among adolescents.
After handling the squishy toy and touching her face, the girl developed hives, swelling, and throat tightness — the classic symptoms of anaphylaxis. It’s a “severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction,” Mayo Clinic says, that occurs immediately after exposure to the allergen and causes skin reactions (like hives), low blood pressure, trouble breathing due to swollen airways and tongue, and dizziness.
Stock image of a child playing with a squishy toyCredit: Getty
She was given epinephrine — the standard, life-saving treatment for anaphylaxis — in an ambulance en route to the emergency room, where she needed further treatment for worsening breathing problems.
A week later, the girl was at school and played with a different squishy toy. Within an hour of handling the toy, she felt her throat tighten. She used epinephrine and was rushed to the ER.
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Although she had a prior diagnosis of asthma and allergic rhinitis, there were no incidences of anaphylaxis or any allergies to food or latex. Subsequent testing showed that she was sensitive to latex, and no other triggers were found.
Stock image of an ambulance racing to an emergencyCredit: Getty
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Dr. Megan Marte, lead author of the case report and ACAAI member, said her case highlights that squishy toys and similar objects can still contain allergens. “These toys are often marketed as non-toxic rubber, but they can contain a long list of chemical additives, and their exact makeup usually isn’t disclosed,” Marte said.
“Toy-related anaphylaxis has been linked to latex in ball pit materials, which raises the question of latex contamination or cross-reactivity in squishy toy,” she said. “If a child has an unexplained severe reaction after playing with a toy, it’s worth looking at the toys they’ve been playing with and possibly see an allergist.”
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Source: “AOL Breaking”
