WARNING: Distressing content.A US father has issued an urgent warning about a dangerous viral trend after his teenage daughter was left with no brain activity following an alleged attempt to take part.<\/p>\n
Leah Presson, 15, has been described by her family as the \u201cmost giving person in the world with a contagious laugh\u201d, but is now fighting for life after reportedly participating in the so-called \u201cBenadryl challenge\u201d.<\/p>\n
The social media trend encourages users to consume large quantities of the allergy medication in an attempt to trigger hallucinations. which can quickly become deadly.<\/p>\n
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By continuing you agree to our Terms<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Leah\u2019s father, Richard Presson, said he wants other families to understand the risks and speak to their children about the dangers.<\/p>\n \u201cI just want everybody to be aware of where they can educate their kids. But these challenges are just silly, and they need to be educated so it doesn\u2019t happen again,\u201d Mr Presson told local media outlet, KFOR.<\/a><\/p>\n The challenge first emerged in 2020 but has seen renewed popularity in recent weeks, sparking concern among medical professionals and parents alike.<\/p>\n After taking the medication, Leah suffered seizures and was rushed to an emergency department in Enid, Oklahoma. Initially, her father believed her condition may have been linked to her asthma, but doctors later indicated her symptoms were consistent with the viral challenge, something she had reportedly attempted before.<\/p>\n Despite devastating test results, Mr Presson said he remains hopeful.<\/p>\n \u201cTo set everybody straight on what\u2019s really going on is that Leah was pronounced brain dead. We\u2019re still waiting on a miracle even though some have given up, Amber and I are still here waiting on this miracle to happen,\u201d he wrote on Facebook.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were going to pull the plug after pronouncing her brain dead. We have chose to donate her organs because she is the kind of girl that would have given anything to anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n In a heartbreaking update, the family has also made the decision to donate Leah\u2019s organs.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have chosen to donate her organs because she is the kind of girl that would have given anything to anybody. She loved Grey\u2019s Anatomy and is able to possibly save up to 90 lives with her little body.\u201d<\/p>\n Leah\u2019s father shared an emotional video on Facebook on Monday, saying \u201cthank you… for coming and praying for my daughter and singing for her.We are so grateful, I know. She heard you, and so did half the others in the hospital Leah loved it i know\u201d.<\/p>\n Medical experts in the United States have reported a rise in similar cases this year, warning of the serious risks associated with misusing antihistamines.<\/p>\n