On August 6 last year, a 19 year old girl, named Francesca Sanna, who suffered from severe allergies was in a car with friends heading for a night out when she suddenly lurched forward and turned white. Her friends rushed her home, but she died shortly after. Francesca also suffered from asthma but her death was surrounded by mystery. A post mortem examination proved inconclusive and further tests were needed to determine the cause of her death.

In the days before, Francesca had complained her gums were sore after using a newly repackaged Aquafresh toothpaste. Francesca's family have always believed toothpaste was the most likely cause of her allergic reaction as minutes before she died, she had brushed her teeth for a night out with friends. And at an inquest in Blackburn, pathologist Dr Richard Prescott said toothpaste could cause severe reactions. "People have suffered severe reactions in the past from toothpaste, mouthwash or even tampons." Carolyn Singleton, District Coroner for Blackburn, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, recorded a narrative verdict and concluded that Francesca died from an acute anaphylactic reaction and asthma. The coroner said: "She must have come into contact with or ingested something that caused her death. "She was a young lady who was very careful, she knew what she could and could not touch. "The cause of the reaction might have been new to her. "It is possible to develop allergies to stuff that you have never been allergic to." After the inquest, Francesca's mother, Kim Sanna, said: "I think that further tests have to be done to determine what happened to Francesca, but I am happy with the results from the inquest. "From the beginning, I thought that toothpaste might have contributed to her death. "We always used Aquafresh Mild and Minty and then the packaging changed. This is when Francesca started to complain of sore teeth and gums a couple of weeks before she died. "We looked in her mouth but it looked fine. We were used to the classic symptoms of anaphylaxia. "Her reaction was so severe and so quick, the trigger must have been something she did before she left the house, like brushing her teeth. "We are considering getting further tests done to determine whether or not this was the case.

An article on chemical-free alternatives to commercial toothpaste is due to appear in the 2008 Chemical Free Living Magazine.


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