An alarming online trend involving heating 'squishy' toys in the microwave is leaving children with permanent scars and severe burns, according to medical experts and grieving parents. The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow has treated six children for injuries linked to the trend in the past eight months, with some requiring skin grafts.
How the Trend Causes Injury
Videos circulating on social media show these soft, squeezable toys being heated to make them even softer. However, experts warn that microwaving creates pressure inside the toy, increasing the risk of explosion. When the toy bursts, the hot gel inside can stick to the skin, causing deep and prolonged burns.
Sharon Ramsay, a burns nurse at the RHC, stated: 'Unfortunately, we are seeing a growing number of children with preventable injuries linked to this trend. When these toys are heated, the contents can explode and stick to the skin, causing deep burns. These injuries can be very serious and may require long-term treatment, including surgery and rehabilitation.'
Real-Life Cases of Severe Burns
Eight-year-old Joseph Erskine, from Clackmannanshire, suffered a burn on his chest and hand in May after a squishy toy exploded. He needed weeks of treatment and a skin graft. His mother, Stephanie Ewing, recounted: 'My husband and I were home. We were sitting in the living room next door when Joseph came in holding a towel to his face. He had already wiped off the burning gel which had also taken off his skin. He was saying that his squishy burnt him and we initially thought he meant a chemical burn. Then he told us that he had put it in the microwave.'
Ewing explained that Joseph had seen the trend online and that the microwave was already set to 40 seconds from a previous use: 'It was that quick and easy for him.' She urged parents to discuss the dangers with their children. Joseph, normally an active and sporty child, must now avoid direct sunlight on the graft area for two years, which his mother described as 'tricky over the summer months.'
Eleven-year-old Scarlet Rowe, from North Ayrshire, was treated for burns to her face and eyelid after a similar incident in May. Her mother, Gina, said: 'We didn't realise what had happened at first, it just looked like slime on her face. It was only after a few minutes we realised it had been heated and was burning her skin. The swelling was so bad that we weren't sure what the outcome would be. Thankfully, no graft was required but it is so close to her eye that this could have been a lot worse. These toys are very popular and easy to buy, but we had no idea about the risks. We had only bought them that day.'
Ongoing Risks and Recalls
Burns specialists note that injuries from heated squishy toys are particularly severe because the gel remains extremely hot and adheres to the skin, prolonging the burn. Healing and recovery can take weeks or months, often requiring ongoing care such as dressings, physiotherapy, and scar management. In some cases, children are left with permanent scarring.
An urgent recall has been issued for Squishy Dumplings sold by Samsons Cash and Carry after they were found to contain an excess concentration of benzene. If inhaled, benzene can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. The RHC strongly urges parents and carers to speak to their children about the risks of microwaving these toys.
