West Covina Girl Dies In Fatal Allergic Reaction To Toothpaste

WEST COVINA, CA —Denise Saldate of West Covina was 11-years-old and in the 6th grade when she passed away. An allergy sufferer but otherwise a healthy girl, she died of complications related to a severe allergic reaction to a prescribed toothpaste in early April, according to her family.

Those who knew her best say that Denise Saldate was an outspoken Youtuber, Slime-maker, and a person who wanted to make a difference in this world. She will continue to do that through the gift of organ donation.

Saldate succumbed to a "fast-moving anaphylactic reaction to milk protein" from a newly prescribed toothpaste given to her on April 4, Allergic Living reported.

The night was just another ordinary evening, according to the family. Then, while brushing her teeth with her new toothpaste, Denise Saldate began crying and her lips turned blue, according to her mother's re-account of the events.

"She told her sister, 'I think I'm having an allergic reaction to the toothpaste,'" her mother Monique Altamirano described the events to AllergicLiving. "I picked her up and put her on my bed. I ran to the living room, told my daughter – ‘Call 911!’ – and I grabbed the EpiPen," Monique Saldate shared with AllergicLiving.com.

Then, at the dispatcher's suggestion, she started CPR until the medics arrived. When the paramedics came, they put the mother and child in the ambulance.

Two days later, Denise Saldate was gone.

A tragic mistake...

Like many children, Denise Saldate had outgrown several of her allergies, but her severe milk allergy remained. The family maintained a "24/7 vigilance" against all food allergies, but when the new "special toothpaste" arrived, the ingredient Recaldent, containing a milk protein, was overlooked. According to Monique Saldate, for years they had read toothpaste labels but milk was never an ingredient.

She reminds all to never forget to read or research any ingredient for children who suffer food-related allergies.

"This is your child's life and God forbid you have to go through what I'm going through," Monique said.

Hope for the future...

In their grief, the family is turning to the hope left behind by Denise.

Days before her death, Denise organized a school fundraiser asking for "shade" for her school before the weather warms up. She raised $50 toward that end, and the goal will be met by Love Song Events, according to their post on Facebook.

Her softball team remembers her by writing her name on their arms before games.

Her heart, lungs, kidneys and liver will live on with a 9-year-old child who received the precious donation of her organs. The important reminder of the dangers of hidden ingredients inside toothpaste as well as food, for allergy sufferers, could save countless more.

Denise Saldate will live on and not be forgotten. A celebration of her life is scheduled for April 25 and 26, according to her family.

Funds for those left behind are being gathered by GoFundMe.

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