Pink glitter and purple glitter kawaii squishy dumpling toys side by side on a pink surface with blurred gray background
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A new viral trend is sending children to burn units in the U.S. and Europe, and parents need to understand the ramifications.
Gel-filled “squishy” toys — sold under names like NeeDoh, Squishies, and Jelly Cubes — have become a fixture in childrens’ bedrooms. The trend turns dangerous when children microwave the toys to make them softer and more satisfying to squeeze, a “hack” that has spread rapidly across TikTok and other platforms.
The physics behind the injury explain the concern: heating traps pressure inside the toy’s sealed gel core. When a child squeezes it, or a tiny weak point gives way, the toy can rupture explosively, spraying gel-like liquid that reaches temperatures over 200°F.
That gel behaves nothing like ordinary hot water. It clings to skin the way super glue does, continuing to transfer heat long after contact — which is why these injuries so often produce deep second degree–and even third degree burns–within seconds, and why they cluster on the hands, face, and chest in a characteristic “splatter” pattern.
Purple kawaii smiling toy bun with red blush sitting on a white surface. Squishy dumpling antistress toy on white background
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The risk is especially serious for children because their skin is thinner and more easily damaged. The gel inside these toys remains very hot and may cling to the skin, which means the burn penetrates deeper into the lower layers of skin well after the toy has exploded leading to deep second degree and even third degree burns.
Burns to the face, hands, chest, or near the eyes can lead to weeks of dressing changes, chronic pain, scarring, permanent visual loss, time off school, and the need for long-term follow-up. This is not just “messy slime”; it can behave like scalding glue.
Red slime with eyes on hand isolated on white background. Toy antistress. Toy for the development of hand motor skills.
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It’s vital to remove nearby clothing or jewelry (unless stuck to the skin), but do not apply ice, butter, toothpaste, creams or oils to the burns. These are chemical burns that likely require surgical debridement and skin grafting in most cases.
If a toy ruptures against skin, flush the area immediately with cool running water for 20 minutes and seek medical care immediately in the nearest emergency department—don’t try to peel off adherent gel yourself, since this can lead to more skin damage and permanent scarring.
If a burn occurs, cover the cooled burn loosely with clean “Kling” (a soft circular soft dressing) or a clean non-fluffy cloth. Burns that are large, deep, blistering, on the face, hands, genitals, or across a joint are more serious and require immediate attention in a burn unit, and evaluation by a trauma surgeon with expertise in burn wound management.
Beyond the toy itself, this is a moment to talk with children directly about why “trending” doesn’t mean “safe,” and to keep an eye on what they’re watching online.
The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow has treated six children for trend-related injuries in the past eight months, with several requiring surgery and skin grafts. An eight-year-old suffered burns across his chest and hand; an eleven-year-old sustained burns to her face and eyelid, narrowly avoiding a graft. If the heated gel contacts the eyes, it carries a major risk of permanent vision loss.
What parents should do: never allow children to microwave, freeze, or heat these toys, and don’t leave them in hot cars–where cabin temperatures can exceed 110°F.
The message is clear: squishy toys are for squeezing to alleviate stress or use for recreational purposes at room temperature only. Once heat is involved, such a toy can become a burn hazard within seconds.
This trend is a useful reminder that plenty of viral hazards hide in plain sight, often disguised as harmless play. Avoiding harm from viral trends such as heating squishy toys is possible through parental monitoring and education.