Today they are called “squishy”. These soft anti-stress toys with different shapes, made of gels, knead and crush in the hand, for an immediate calming effect. Children, in particular, love them for their malleable side. But in the United States, a trend on TikTok with this famous anti-stress has just sent a 9-year-old child to the hospital for serious burns. And it’s not the first.
The gel texture explodes on the child
The story is told by CBS News. On January 20, Caleb Chabolla, a young boy, was getting ready to go to school when he had the idea of putting his Nice Cube, (an anti-stress cube made of gel) in the microwave. For what ? Because depending on the network, and especially what friends say, this can make it “even” more flexible. The desire to test is the strongest.
But when he opened the door to retrieve the said cube, “the hot, gelatinous object exploded in his face and hands,” specifies the University Health System of the Chicago region. The experience turns into drama. “I heard him scream and I saw him running towards one of our bathrooms, and this substance had squirted on his face.” his mother testifies today.
Lifelong scars for a simple challenge
Immediately, the mother tries to rinse the burning substance. But this one, viscous, is literally stuck to his son’s face. Direction the emergency room, from where Caleb is transferred to a burn center.
The findings are serious: an entire side of his face and his hands are affected by second-degree burns. His eye also deserves an emergency consultation but, fortunately, his vision is not affected. His doctors say that Caleb did not need skin grafts, but that he may be left with scars.
Caleb is not the only child to have tested this Tik Tok challenge at the risk of his life. In this burn center alone, he is the 4th child admitted after putting his Nice Cube in the microwave. In March 2025, a little girl had to be put in a coma for 3 days, for the same experience.
Prevent accidents with simple rules
Following this incident, the brand of the incriminated toy, NeeDoh, was keen to recall the instructions for using its products. In a press release, she then warned against any attempt at misappropriation:
“Improperly using a NeeDoh product by microwaving, heating or freezing is dangerous and can cause injury. Schylling has partnered with social media outlets, such as TikTok, to remove influencer content containing misuse of NeeDoh products.”
This accident more broadly raises the question of the dangers linked to challenges broadcast on social networks, but also to the use of microwaves. It is essential to remember that an experience seen online should never be reproduced without the advice of an adult, and even less so when it involves a heat source.
The kitchen, a common place for domestic accidents
Foods or objects heated in the microwave can reach very high temperatures, sometimes unevenly.
“Be careful in what you heat, including when heating baby bottles: there is also a risk of internal and esophageal burns“, recalls Dr. Kierzek, emergency physician. It is therefore recommended to always check the temperature of a liquid or a heated object, particularly on the back of the hand, before any contact with the mouth or skin, particularly that of a child.
More generally, several prevention measures can limit the risk of burns at home among young people:
- Set the water heater thermostat to a maximum of 50°C;
- Favor the use of the rear burners of the stove and point the handles of the pans towards the inside;
- Keep children away from the kitchen while preparing meals;
- Store chemicals and electrical appliances out of their reach;
- Install smoke detectors in each room of the home and regularly check the condition of the batteries.
Burns in children: actions to take urgently
In the event of a burn, a rapid and appropriate reaction is essential. The first actions can limit the severity of the lesions:
- Immediately cool the affected area under cold running water for 20 minutes;
- Remove clothing and jewelry around the burn, unless they adhere to the skin;
- Cover the wound with a clean, non-adhesive dressing;
- Never pop blisters or apply butter, grease, or home remedies.
A medical consultation is essential for any serious, extensive or localized burn on the face, hands, joints or genitals. “Call emergency services immediately if the burn is severe or covers a large area of the body (surface greater than the palm of the child’s hand),” insists the emergency doctor.