A viral social media trend encouraging children to microwave “squishy” toys has prompted an urgent warning from doctors after several youngsters suffered severe burns. Specialists say the popular gel-filled toys can explode when heated, spraying extremely hot gel that sticks to the skin and causes deep burns, with some children requiring surgery and skin grafts.
The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow has treated six children over the past eight months for injuries linked to the trend. Medical teams say the cases highlight how quickly an online challenge can turn into a serious medical emergency, leaving some children facing months of treatment and rehabilitation.
How the viral squishy toy trend became dangerous
Videos shared on social media have encouraged children to place soft “squishy” toys in a microwave to make them feel even softer. Burns specialists say heating the toys causes pressure to build inside the sealed outer layer. If the toy bursts, the superheated gel can shoot out and cling to the skin, continuing to burn long after contact.
Unlike hot water, the sticky gel is difficult to remove immediately and keeps transferring heat to the body. Doctors say this increases the risk of deep burns, permanent scarring and lengthy recovery periods.
Eight-year-old Joseph needed a skin graft
One of the children injured was eight-year-old Joseph Erskine from Clackmannanshire. In May, he microwaved a squishy toy after seeing the trend online. According to his mother, Stephanie Ewing, Joseph had never used a microwave before. Earlier that day, someone in the family had heated food, leaving the microwave timer set at 40 seconds. Joseph simply pressed the start button.
The toy exploded across his chest and hand. His mother said she initially believed he had suffered a chemical burn until Joseph explained what had happened. While wiping away the burning gel with a towel, some of his skin came away because the gel had become stuck to his body.
Doctors later performed a skin graft using skin taken from Joseph’s thigh because the burn would not heal naturally. He has now been advised to avoid direct sunlight on the grafted area for two years and has had to stop attending sports clubs and other physical activities while recovering.
Scarlet suffered burns near her eye
Eleven-year-old Scarlet Rowe from Irvine in North Ayrshire was also treated in May after a heated squishy toy burst and burned her face and eyelid. Her mother, Gina Rowe, said they had only bought the toy that day and had no idea it could become dangerous if heated.
At first the family believed the substance on Scarlet’s face was harmless slime. Within minutes they realised it had been heated and was burning her skin. The swelling around her eye became so severe they feared lasting damage, although she thankfully did not require a skin graft.
Doctors warn some children face permanent scarring
Sharon Ramsay, a burns nurse at the Royal Hospital for Children, said hospitals are seeing a growing number of preventable injuries linked to the online trend. She warned that some children require surgery, rehabilitation, scar management and physiotherapy, while others may be left with permanent scarring.
Burn recovery can take weeks or even months depending on the severity of the injury. Children with burns affecting the face, hands or chest often need ongoing hospital appointments to help reduce long-term complications.
Parents urged to talk about online challenges
Doctors are encouraging parents and carers to discuss viral internet trends with children before they attempt them at home. Many youngsters copy short online videos without understanding the hidden risks or the consequences of what they are watching.
Squishy toys are usually made from flexible materials such as silicone and contain gel or liquid designed only for squeezing. They are not intended to be heated in a microwave, and doing so can quickly turn them into an explosion hazard.
Recent product recalls have shown that children’s toys can pose unexpected risks when safety instructions are ignored or manufacturing issues arise. Earlier this year, authorities also warned families about a children’s toy recalled over a choking hazard, reinforcing the importance of following product guidance and buying toys from trusted retailers.
The Child Accident Prevention Trust also advises parents to purchase toys from well-known retailers rather than unknown third-party marketplace sellers, particularly when buying products for younger children who may be at greater risk from unsafe materials or small parts.
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What to do if a burn happens
If hot gel from a squishy toy comes into contact with the skin, experts recommend cooling the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Do not attempt to peel away gel or material that has become stuck to the skin, as this can make the injury worse.
Immediate medical attention should be sought for burns involving the face, eyes, hands, chest or deep layers of skin. Prompt treatment can reduce the risk of infection and improve recovery.
Parents can find official first-aid guidance on burns and scalds through the NHS burns and scalds advice.
Health professionals say the message is straightforward: no online trend is worth risking a serious burn. Squishy toys are designed to be squeezed—not heated—and parents are encouraged to remind children that social media challenges should never replace product safety instructions.
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