Squishy Trend Heated in the Microwave, Children Experience Serious Burns

JAKARTA - Doctors warn of the dangers of an online trend that encourages children to heat squishy toys in the microwave. A number of children have reportedly suffered serious burns. Some even had to undergo surgery to skin grafts.

Citing a report by The Independent, Tuesday, June 30, a video circulating on the internet showed that the soft toy that could be squeezed was heated to make it more flexible. In fact, heat can increase the pressure inside the squishy. As a result, the toy can explode and spray hot gel that sticks to the skin.

The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow has treated six children as a result of the trend in the last eight months. One of them is Joseph Erskine, an eight-year-old boy from Clackmannanshire. He suffered burns to his chest and hands after a squishy toy exploded in May.

His mother, Stephanie Ewing, said Joseph entered the house while sticking a towel to his face. At that time, he was trying to clean the hot gel that also peeled off his skin.

"We were shocked because we never thought he would do that with a toy," Stephanie said.

According to Stephanie, Joseph has never used a microwave. However, the microwave timer is still left 40 seconds after it was used before. Joseph just pressed the start button.

"Everything happened so quickly and easily," he said.

Stephanie said her son mimicked the trend after seeing it on the internet. He urged parents to talk about the risks of such trends with their children.

Joseph's burns could not heal on their own so he had to undergo skin grafting. Skin was taken from his thigh to cover the wound in his chest. The child, who is usually active in sports, must now stop all his activities until he recovers.

Joseph also has to avoid direct sunlight on the graft area for two years.

A similar case was experienced by Scarlet Rowe, 11, from Irvine, North Ayrshire. She suffered burns to her face and eyelids after heating a squishy toy she had received in May.

Her mother, Gina, said the family initially thought the object sticking to Scarlet's face was just like a toy mucus. A few minutes later, they realized that the object was actually hot gel that was burning her skin.

"Thank God, skin grafts are not needed. However, the wound is very close to the eye so the consequences could be much worse," said Gina.

According to Gina, toys like this are popular and easy to buy, but many parents don't know the risks. He reminded parents to pay more attention to children's viewing on the internet and not take the trends circulating on social media lightly.

According to a report by The Independent, a burn specialist at the Royal Hospital for Children said injuries from heated squishy can be very severe. The gel inside the toy can remain very hot and stick to the skin so that the burn lasts longer.

Sharon Ramsay, a burn nurse at RHC, said the number of children injured by the trend was increasing, even though it could actually be prevented.

"When this toy is heated, the contents can explode and stick to the skin, causing deep burns," said Ramsay.

According to Ramsay, injuries like this can require long-term care, including surgery and rehabilitation. In some cases, children also experience permanent scars.

Healing burns can last weeks to months. During the recovery period, children usually require follow-up care, ranging from bandage replacement, physiotherapy, to scar treatment.