Kids Are Getting Third-Degree Burns From This Latest Schoolyard Craze

Jul 27, 2018 by apost team

You want your kids to be creative and have fun, but one DIY craft can cause dangerous injuries. Homemade slime is one of the most popular crafts for kids online, but this slimy concoction is causing more problems than you would expect.

While parents are hosting slime parties to make the goo, there are dangers associated with this school-age trend.

Last year, one child ended up with more than she expected after a sleepover party. In the video, Kathleen Quinn talks about her slime-making experience. The 11-year-old girl thought that she would get to have some fun making homemade slime. The slime was made from borax (sodium borate) and Elmer's glue.

Before long, the girl was crying in pain.

As she made the slime, Kathleen started to notice a tingly, hot sensation in her hands. As her hands started to cover in blisters, she cried out in pain. Kathleen's parents took her to the doctor for immediate treatment. The third-degree burns were from borax exposure during the DIY project.

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Borax is known to irritate the eyes, nasal cavities, breathing passages and respiratory tracts. What most people do not realize is that it can also irritate the skin. Unfortunately, this type of injury is becoming more common because of the slime fad.

As more children make DIY slime at home, more parents are ending up with unexpected trips to the emergency room.

Across the Atlantic Ocean, Deejay Jemmet was rushed to the hospital in the United Kingdom. She saw a YouTube video about making slime and wanted to try it out. Her mother, Rebekha D'Stephano, let her daughter try the craft project without realizing that it would cause any side effects. Within just 48 hours, poor Deejay's skin began to peel off. Before long, the girl was sent to the Wythenshaw Hospital. A plastic surgeon in the burn unit helped her repair the damaged skin.

While Kathleen's and Deejay's stories may have gotten the most attention, they are not the only children to suffer from DIY slime. Just last week, 6-year-old Riley Godfrey ended up in the hospital for three days after merely playing with some slime. His kindergarten teacher made the slime using contact lens solution. While Riley did not actually make the slime, it turns out that just playing with it can lead to serious burns.

Layla Fisher developed burns from the same kind of slime solution. Her mother, Gemma Wilson, took her to the doctor to treat open sores. Her skin was peeling, and a patch of sores spread to her face. The doctors diagnosed the 10-year-old girl with impetigo.

While borax is the problem, finding an alternative is not easy. There are recipes that advise avoiding borax, but they actually include borax-containing products like contact lens solution.

If your kids want to make safe slime, stick to a solution that uses ingredients like shampoo and cornstarch.

Keep children safe this summer by letting other parents know the dangers of DIY slime!