Online ‘squishy’ trends leaves children with painful burns
Eight-year-old Joseph from Clackmannanshire, who needed weeks of treatment and a skin graft after a heated squishy toy burst across his chest and hand (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde)
Doctors are issuing urgent warnings about a dangerous online trend where children microwave “squishy” toys, leading to severe burns.
Heating these soft, squeezable toys causes internal pressure to build, risking explosion and the release of extremely hot, sticky gel that can adhere to skin.
The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow has treated six children for injuries related to this trend over the past eight months, with some requiring surgery, including skin grafts.
Eight-year-old Joseph Erskine needed a skin graft after a toy burst on his chest and hand, while 11-year-old Scarlet Rowe sustained burns to her face and eyelid.
Parents and medical professionals are urging vigilance, advising parents to discuss the risks with their children and monitor online content to prevent further injuries.
