Medical experts are sounding the alarm about a dangerous craze involving microwaving "squishy" toys, following multiple cases of youngsters suffering severe burns. The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow has admitted six youngsters with injuries connected to the craze during the last eight months, with several requiring surgical intervention including skin grafts.
How the Trend Causes Injuries
Videos circulating on social media platforms demonstrate how these soft, flexible toys are being heated to enhance their pliability. Yet specialists warn this practice causes pressure to accumulate within the toy, increasing the likelihood of it bursting and discharging boiling hot gel that can stick to skin and inflict serious harm.
Burns specialists caution that injuries from heated squishy toys can prove especially severe, as the gel contained within maintains extremely high temperatures and bonds to the skin, intensifying the burn.
Case Study: Joseph Erskine
Amongst those injured was eight year old Joseph Erskine, from Clackmannanshire, who required weeks of medical care and a skin graft following a toy exploding across his chest and hand in May. His mum Stephanie Ewing explained: "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."
She disclosed that Joseph had encountered the trend online, and appealed to parents to discuss it with their youngsters and discourage them from trying anything of the sort. She continued: "Joseph's burn wouldn't heal on its own and required a graft, where skin was taken from his thigh and applied to his chest. He is normally such an active and sporty child with six clubs per week, but all of that is on hold until he heals."
Her son must now avoid direct sunlight on the grafted section for two years, which she acknowledged will be "tricky over the summer months".
Case Study: Scarlet Rowe
Another young patient, 11 year old Scarlet Rowe from Irvine in North Ayrshire, received treatment for burns to her face and eyelid after a comparable incident in May, soon after being given a squishy toy. Her mother Gina explained: "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. I'd strongly advise parents to be vigilant and check what children are watching and trying online."
Medical Expert Warning
Sharon Ramsay, a burns nurse at the RHC, explained: "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. In some cases, children are left with permanent scarring. We strongly urge parents and carers to speak to their children about the risks."
Healing from burns can span weeks or potentially months, with injured children often needing continuous treatment encompassing dressings, physiotherapy and scar management. The Scottish National Burns Centre functions under NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
