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The salt and ice challenge is back, and it could send you to the hospital.

This is a challenge where teens put salt and ice on their skin, and see how long they can stand the pain. The burning sensation they feel is like frostbite because the salt lowers the temperature of the ice to as low as -17 degrees Celsius. What teens may not know is that this mixture of salt and ice combine to make something that can harm them permanently.

Teens who have participated in the salt and ice challenge have reported 2nd and 3rd degree burns, scarring, and even lasting nerve damage.

Image of Salt and Ice Burns Instagram chase_guns170vlogs
Image Via Instagram // chase_guns170vlogs

The second part of the challenge is to post the experience to social media.

Pictures are appearing all over social media platforms like, Instagram, Facebook, and videos are being uploaded on YouTube. Hashtags like #saltandicechallenge are used to get more likes and views. The NSPCC stated that the spread of this challenge over social media only serves to increase the peer pressure for teens to participate in something that can cause them permanent damage.

Image of Salt and Ice Burns Andrea Mackay Facebook
Image Via Facebook // Andrea Mackay

This challenge is nothing new, but it is becoming so popular again that the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) in the UK issued a warning to parents and teachers. 

IF YOU ARE CHALLENGED TO JOIN IN

You, or your teen, may be pressured by friends or peers to join in on the challenge. It can be difficult to say no, but it’s not ok to be pressured into doing something that you don’t want to do. You don’t owe your friends anything, and protecting yourself should be your number one priority. The Huffington Post published an article which outlined ways to resist the peer pressure:

  1. Say no with confidence.
  2. Try not to judge those who take part.
  3. Spend time with friends who do say ‘no’.
  4. Suggest doing something else instead.

 Saying ‘no’ is a very hard thing to do, but it will save you a lot of pain down the road.

IF YOU DO ENCOUNTER A BURN

  1. Start cooling the burn as quickly as possible. Run it under cool water for at least ten minutes or until the pain feels better. (Don’t use ice, creams or gels – they can damage tissues and increase risk of infection).
  2. Cover the burn with kitchen cling film or another clean, ‘non-fluffy’ material, like a clean plastic bag. This will help protect against infection.
  3. If the burn is larger than the victims face; is on the face, hands, or feet; or is a deep burn, see a medical professional.

Read More about this at: St. John’s Ambulance UK

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