In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a 12-year-old boy sustained severe burn injuries after participating in the newest YouTube teen fad the “salt and ice challenge”. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazetter reported the young teen, his brother and friends all participated in the challege last weekend. The boy was dared by his twin brother and friends to form a cross with salt on his back. Ice was then pressed onto the salt for 20 minutes before he lost sensation in that area, creating second degree burns.
Photo Credit: West Penn Allegheny Health System
School officials from their area sent a warning letter home of this dangerous trend only two months prior. The boys admitted to learning about the challenge via YouTube videos of other teens daring one another.
The 12 year old was taken to the hospital after complaining to his mother about the pain and blistering of his back. She too, wished to have her name withheld. The physician describes the chemical reaction between the ice, salt and skin similar to that of frostbite. The severity of the burns would lead to scarring on the back in the shape of a cross.
Physicians treat this type of burn using antibiotic lotion, remaining out of the sun or swimming, and repeated washing of the area after sweating. This family and doctors recommended discusses the long term affects of this reckless teen trend before another child suffers the scars.
