Medical professionals are sounding the alarm over the risks of a trend involving heating "squishy" toys in the microwave, following multiple cases of children suffering serious burns.
Videos circulating on social media show the toys, which are soft and pliable, being heated to make them even more malleable. However, experts warn that this causes pressure to accumulate inside the toy, increasing the risk of it exploding and releasing scalding hot gel that can stick to the skin and cause severe injuries.
The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow has treated six children with injuries related to the trend over the past eight months, with some requiring surgery including skin grafts.
Amongst those injured was eight year old Joseph Erskine, from Clackmannanshire, who required weeks of treatment and a skin graft after a toy burst across his chest and hand in May.
His mother Stephanie Ewing said: "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," reports the Mirror.
"We were shocked as it had never crossed our minds that he would do that with a toy. He has never used the microwave before. One of us had heated something earlier and so the clock was already set at 40 seconds. Joseph just hit start. It was that quick and easy for him."
She disclosed that Joseph had stumbled upon the trend online, and implored parents to discuss the matter with their children and discourage them from attempting anything of the sort.
She added: "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 area for two years, which she observed will prove "tricky over the summer months".
Another young patient, 11 year old Scarlet Rowe from Irvine in North Ayrshire, received treatment for burns to her face and eyelid following a comparable incident in May, shortly after receiving a squishy toy.
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. I'd strongly advise parents to be vigilant and check what children are watching and trying online."
Burns specialists have issued warnings that injuries resulting from heated squishy toys can prove especially severe, as the gel contained within retains extreme temperatures and clings to the skin, intensifying the severity of the burn.
Sharon Ramsay, a burns nurse at the RHC, said: "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."
Recuperation from burns can span weeks or potentially months, with affected youngsters often needing continuous care encompassing dressings, physiotherapy and scar management.
The Scottish National Burns Centre functions within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
