- TikTok challenge causes frostbite
- Surgeons urge deodorant warning
- Young children suffer severe burns
Plastic surgeons have advocated for the inclusion of additional safety warnings on deodorant cans in response to a viral TikTok challenge that caused children to injure themselves with cold burns.
The injuries result from extremely low temperatures and are more commonly referred to as frostbite. It has been demonstrated that a 15-second discharge of aerosol deodorant held just two inches away can lower skin temperature by over 60 degrees Celsius, which is sufficient to induce severe burns.
Cold Burn Challenge Consequences
Nearly seventy individuals, including some as young as ten years old, have presented with such injuries at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle upon Tyne. Certain individuals needed plastic surgery to restore their damaged epidermis.
A social media trend involves adolescents recording themselves spraying deodorant. Because of the increase, they do this on their skin from close range for as long as tolerated.
Children subsequently share the red, circular mark they receive as a result of the stunt on TikTok.
“Unlock your financial potential with free Webull shares in the UK.”
Social Media Impact
A Hertfordshire ten-year-old required plastic surgery last year after using a deodorant can to freeze her epidermis after seeing others do the same online. Surgeons subsequently cautioned that the full recovery from her injuries could require a maximum of two years.
On average, self-inflicted cold burn injuries were observed every two months, according to RVI medical staff. More than half were aged ten to thirty, and approximately two-thirds were female, according to findings that will be presented at the annual meeting of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) later this month.
Connor Barker, a plastic surgery registrar and supervisor of research, asserts, “The impact of social media on young people should not be underestimated.”
He further adds that frigid burns were virtually non-existent two decades ago.
According to Mr. Barker, deodorant cans should have a warning notice about skin damage.
“There are warnings regarding the solvent’s flammability and inhalation, but none regarding this specific hazard,” he further explains.
Researchers also recommended asking cold burn patients at A&E about their lesions’ origins. This is in order to identify those who might require psychological support.
Mani Ragbir, president of BAPRAS and a consultant plastic surgeon, asserts, “This is a worrying, avoidable problem that affects children.” It requires urgent consideration.
Non-working benefit recipients face mandated work placements
