12-Year-Old Sustains Gruesome Injury After Playing Dangerous ‘Salt and Ice Challenge’ Internet Fad (GRAPHIC PHOTO)
- Posted on July 1, 2012 at 6:49pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Image source: Huffington Post
A 12-year-old Pittsburgh boy sustained serious second-degree cold injuries to his back after partaking in the dangerous Internet fad known as the “salt and ice challenge,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.
The challenge — also known as the “salt and ice pain game” or just “salt and ice” — is making the rounds on YouTube and social networking sites among middle and high schoolers. To play, participants press salt and ice cubes to their skin to see how long they can withstand the burning pain. The resulting injury can be similar to frostbite.
According to the Post-Gazette, the unidentified boy had salt poured on his back in the shape of a cross during a sleepover. He was taken to the West Penn Hospital Burn Center and will need several months to fully recover from his injuries, WPXI-TV reported. (Photo below — graphic content warning.)
“The injury is similar to frostbite that can result in mild cold injury but it also could increase in severity based on the time the ice is applied,” Burn Center Director Dr. Ariel Aballay told the Post-Gazette. “The longer, the more serious the injury. This patient went for a few minutes, but there have been cases that went for six or seven minutes that resulted in third-degree injuries.”
The boy’s mother told the newspaper her son actually withstood the challenge for 20 minutes, eventually losing any sense of pain or feeling. She said her twin sons and a friend did it around 3 a.m. June 22, and that by the next afternoon the boy’s skin had blistered, prompting her to take him to the emergency room.
“We want teenagers and the general public to know that the ‘salt and ice challenge’ is extremely dangerous,” the victim’s family said in a statement, according to WPXI. “Videos on You Tube, Facebook and other social media do not accurately show the terrible injuries that can result. We are grateful that our son is recovering and hope that sharing his story will stop other young people from attempting this stunt.”
Photo below. (Content warning — graphic.)
Image source: Huffington Post
(h/t Huffington Post)
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Comments (164)
The-Monk
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:24pmOuch. Right on the spine. Hope he doesn’t get a HAI at the hospital.
Report Post »black9897
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 10:14pmAt least he’s religious. It’s in the shape of a cross. Ha.
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 10:29pmTalk about religious, now he’ll have to sleep on his stomach. That’s one penalty-tax for offending Allah. And he’s got a huge cross on his back. Tax him some more, Hussein. This kid has defiled the Qur’an twice with this unconsciounable act.
I’m sure more taxes are due for his sin. Let me sleep on it — on my back, of course.
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 10:33pmoops: unconscionable
Report Post »justasurvivor
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 10:44pmWith obamacare, hospitals funded with any federal monies won’t be allowed to treat religious injuries – separation of church and state, you know? Watching over and saving your tax dollar$! Aren’t we proud?
Report Post »(heavy dripping sarcasm – I hope)
jzs
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 1:21amI did this for a couple of hours until I got bored. I did feel pleasantly cool and it seemed to relieve some lower back pain I’ve been having but otherwise there was no effect. I don’t recommend this to lesser human beings though.
Generally when you apply ice directly against skin tissue for even brief periods, the exposed tissue dies. The longer the ice is held in place, the more tissue dies.
Seriously, this is really a stupid idea if there ever was one.
Report Post »ITSJESTTIM
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 1:29amHalleluiah, me and my cousin J Z S have finally arrived back on Planet Earth from our vacations on Gog and Magog. We had the time of our lives. My Cousin gave the most wonder speeches on how to convert all the tiny Earthlings from a Republic to a Socialized Democracy. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize after only 3 weeks of “being there”. My cousin will consume you for breakfast and poop you out before dinner. Three cheers for my mighty cousin (who married his 1st cousin) for his fortitude and general Deliverance (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068473/) from his way of life.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 4:55amLike Al Gore said; ‘kid’s you know a lot more than your parents…’
Yup. AlGirl and our children. The ruling minds of the future. Seems mankind may be doomed to stupid ways to kill himself, because he isn’t smary enough to carry a thought out beyond concept to conclusion.
IMHBLO, this fool should just expire. He can be nothing except a liability to human existance or the future of mankind.
Report Post »starchy
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:08amWhat do you think we should ban? Salt or Ice? Maybe both – this type of danger should not exist in our homes.
Report Post »SLAPTHELEFT
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 12:14pmAmerican children are idiots. Is this the best we can do as parents? Kids up at 3am at a sleepover, destroying themselves?
If this is the case, buckle up blaze, a whole new wave of jzs’ers are headed our way.
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 12:52pmJust another Darwin Award candidate, Thin the herd.
Report Post »NO PROBLEM !!
MIBUGNU2
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 12:56pmThese are the kind of people that will get their FREE Obamacare..
Report Post »Lets all ante up boys !! “gotta‘ luv’ it”……………ROMNEY 2012
frust@ted
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:06pmI completely support stupidity as long as it doesn’t hurt others. That being said it would be great for someone to post a youtube video of all of the dumb stuff people do that results in trips to the hospital that obamacare will cover. Most of these will be emergencies so they will get treatment right away while others are forced to wait.
Report Post »Nehemiah6.3
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:20pmya dumb
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:39pm@starchy
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:08am
What do you think we should ban? Salt or Ice? Maybe both – this type of danger should not exist in our homes.
Report Post »****
Never fear, the government already limits how much salt can be produced yearly, and Global Warming will melt all the ice. (Already melted it in my cup today!)
Bronco II
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:18pmMe thinks MOM needs some help she sounds like she was there while it was happening so that tells me she isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 12:49amHey Bronco my thoughts exactly ..what is up with mom..stupid liberal
Report Post »Brasil2520
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:11pmJust a few days ago a 17 year old in St. Petersburg FL, died from playing Russian roulettle with a 38
Report Post »Makes this salt and ice kid look like a genius
TimCotter
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:29amAt least he had a chance with a 38, unlike the kid with the 25 auto.
Report Post »SoCalWalt
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:14amDarwinism confirmed. Stupidity thins the herd.
Report Post »YappingPoodle
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:10pmSo, did he win?
Report Post »Brasil2520
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:42pmYup he won, he is getting publicity, will go on show’s and write a book about how he is a victim of the makers of salt and ice, and he will also sue the makers of salt and ice for not putting a warning label about mixing salt with ice.
Report Post »In court his lawyer Mr. Goldstein talking to the jury – “little Johnny is a victim, the makers of salt and ice just care about profit” . . . “little Johnny is only 12” . . . “Oh the humanity” . . . “so he doesn’t see another cross he will never go to church again” . . . “the makers of salt and ice should pay ! pay ! I say” !
Brasil2520
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 9:14pmBREAKING NEWS ! This just in !
Mr. Goldstein won the law-suit, the makers of salt and ice will pay the claim of $1,000,000. – Goldstein will get $999,999. of it for all of his hard work, and Johnny will get $1,000 before taxes for pain and suffering.
Now sports with Leroy, “today in the NBA” . . .
Report Post »Snidely
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 10:22pmWait.. makers of salt and ice? Did I miss something? By the way, $999, 999 + $1,000 = $1,000,999.
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:46pm@Brasil2520
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:42pm
Yup he won, he is getting publicity, will go on show’s and write a book about how he is a victim of the makers of salt and ice, and he will also sue the makers of salt and ice for not putting a warning label about mixing salt with ice.
Report Post »In court his lawyer Mr. Goldstein talking to the jury – “little Johnny is a victim, the makers of salt and ice just care about profit” . . . “little Johnny is only 12” . . . “Oh the humanity” . . . “so he doesn’t see another cross he will never go to church again” . . . “the makers of salt and ice should pay ! pay ! I say”
***
You forgot there will be a huge firestorm to put refrigerator locks on all freezers and holder and hillary will be involved in smuggling salt and ice backwards through the tunnels to mexico (Probably traded for drugs.) In hopes of even sterner control laws. (Opposed by the National salt miners and ice skaters association of course!)
SKR8PN
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:09pmMe thinks the gene pool needs more chlorine…
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:39amEvolution yo … don’t you know … we keep improving as we go.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:07pmJust had a kid kill himself playing the “Russian Roulette Game” here in Florida on Friday. “Salt and ice, skateboarding off buildings and busting up your limbs and killing yourself to impress your friends…. hmmmm.
Report Post »VRW Conspirator
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:56amyeah…what is with this stupidity…i thought Darwinism and Evolution was supposed to make us smarter and better over time…it seems since the 50-70′s era kids have gotten DUMBER!!.. we rode bikes without helmets, climbed trees, shot BB guns without putting out our eyes, left at dawn and came home at dusk without any injury or getting lost or kidnapped…we were taught please and thank you and respect for ANYONE older than you; parent, teacher, or general citizen…we ice skated, skateboarded, surfed, snow skiied….and when we got hurt we just got up and moved on….we played sports and kept score and only gave trophies to those that WON!!
Report Post »now kids are just whiney, stupid, entitled crybabies…
they disrespect parents and society in general….go where they are told not too with their bikes and skateboards….jump off walls and stairs and rails…crash and burn and break bones while their friends watch and LAUGH!! then run away and sue the owner of the property they were trespassing on…
this is “Lord of the Flies” come to life…..
without adult supervision, rules, and punishment for bad behavior…left to their own devices, children will not mature but regress back to primitive mindsets where “might makes right” and the “strong survive and rule.”
the real problem is that the adults, the parents, have the same mindsets all wrapped in a cloak of ENTITLEMENT and SELF ABSORPTION…
Darwinism PROVED wrong!! We regress not evolve..
Mil Mom
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:55pm@VRW Conspirator
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:56am
yeah…what is with this stupidity…i thought Darwinism and Evolution was supposed to make us smarter and better over time…it seems since the 50-70′s era kids have gotten DUMBER!!.. we rode bikes without helmets, climbed trees, shot BB guns without putting out our eyes, left at dawn and came home at dusk without any injury or getting lost or kidnapped…we were taught please and thank you and respect for ANYONE older than you; parent, teacher, or general citizen…we ice skated, skateboarded, surfed, snow skiied….and when we got hurt we just got up and moved on….we played sports and kept score and only gave trophies to those that WON!!
Report Post »now kids are just whiney, stupid, entitled crybabies…
they disrespect parents and society in general….go where they are told not too with their bikes and skateboards….jump off walls and stairs and rails…crash and burn and break bones while their friends watch and LAUGH!! then run away and sue the owner of the property they were trespassing on…
this is “Lord of the Flies” come to life…..
without adult supervision, rules, and punishment for bad behavior…left to their own devices, children will not mature but regress back to primitive mindsets where “might makes right” and the “strong survive and rule.”
***
Growing up in the 50‘s brother and his friends played chicken with their pocket knives throwing at each other’s feet. Constantly cutting them! SMA
Chamber
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:05pmI wonder at what point the kid said ” I think I’m going to need some medical attention”? Idiots!
Report Post »VoteRightDammit
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:40pmWhat was it Forest Gump said …. ?
Oh yeah ~~~~~~~~~~~
“STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.”
This boy is NOT a likely candidate for any accredited college …..
Report Post »Grasshopper42
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:55pmTook the words right out of my mouth!
Stupid is as stupid does . . .
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:00pmWhat next? Will they re-discover Russian Roulette?
Report Post »50211bs
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:21pmYour wrong, he would be a great candidate for one of these liberal colleges
Report Post »Lt_Scrounge
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 9:02pmPerhaps not for a BA, but he is definitely PHD candidate material and would be considered an outstanding addition to the faculty.
Report Post »stumpy68
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 10:47pmAre you kidding your talking about a future democratic senator
Report Post »from Pennsylvania
Red Meat
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 11:11pmHarvard Law material right there.
Report Post »GumRock
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:50amsoon to have his tong stuck to a bridge near you
Report Post »starman70
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:25amHere is the future PRESIDENT of the United States. This is why we need Obamacare – - – to take care of these idiots who do these stupid things at taxpayer expense. Aren’t you proud to pay your share?
Report Post »Richard_FL
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:36pmWhat graphic content…………what a nation of wimps we have become!!
Report Post »normalmom
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:10pmSome people have weak stomachs, personally I say OUCH. That’s gotta hurt.
Report Post »flatdaddio
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:33pmlove the way kids can’t tell right from wrong….give them another trophy, people can’t even think for themselves…no common sense…
Report Post »oeaoho
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:42pmDon‘t forget the trophy’s for the other kids…they were there.
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:46pmThis kid should only be allowed to eat with his fingers ..he might poke his eye out with a spoon. Stupid parent = stupid kids. Well at least Obama care has not kicked in yet or they would have to put this kid down.
Report Post »MAMMY_NUNN
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:24pmFuture Democrats !
Report Post »Mil Mom
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:04pm@flatdaddio
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:33pm
love the way kids can’t tell right from wrong….give them another trophy, people can’t even think for themselves…no common sense…
Report Post »****
Don’t need it anymore, govt mandates warnings on stepladders, covers on electrical outlets, trigger locks on guns, “Bridge freezes before roadway” Warnings, and every other danger outlawed. And we still attempt to front a top-notch military and win wars! (Sorry that was pre-cabal. Now we’re not comfortable with the concept of winning and losing! Good thing, this kid’s West Point material in our kinder, gentler military.)
kryptonite
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:32pmHey, dude, wanna be branded like a cow? I know a really COOL way…
Hormones + Internet = the 21st century addiction drug.
Report Post »dugiewugie
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:38pmGo for it kryptonite.
Report Post »Funny!
billo
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:32pmThat’s great that they can share this. Why were these dummies awake at 3:00 a.m.? Where were the idiot parents? Can someone be held criminally liable? Maybe the parents?
Report Post »HisNameWasRobertPaulson
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:50pmCriminally liable for what? Having salt? Ice? Both in the house at the same time? Not keeping a guard in your kids room 24 hours a day? Are you really suggesting that we hold parents criminally liable because they had a kid, salt, and ice, all in the same house, at three in the morning? Are you saying that parents are never allowed to sleep or face criminal punishment? What country do you want to live in?
Report Post »witehous66
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 8:11pmI agree, HisName, why does every stupid thing idiots do need to go to court?
Report Post »kathystone
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:31pmReminds me of the kids in Sun Valley, California who thought it would be “fun” to lay on the train tracks when a train came by to see if it looked weird from underneath. The wind from the train picked them up and shredded them. I guess sometimes it is survival of the less stupid
Report Post »oeaoho
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:28pmHe is sooo cool…pun intended.
Report Post »aragona
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:27pm(This may be a repost. Not sure you can post a link on The Blaze.)
There’s another challenge called the cinnamon challenge making its way around too. Also dangerous. I’m not going to lie, I laughed my rearend off, over and over, watching this video. In fact, I’m laughing just thinking about watching this video! LOL
Doesn‘t mean she isn’t an idiot, though. I mean, who DOES THIS?!!!!
Google this phrase on youtube and the video will pull right up.
The Cinnamon Challenge … by GloZell and her Big Behind Earrings
Report Post »LameLiberals
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:56pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyk7utV_D2I
The Cinnamon Challenge … by GloZell and her Big Behind Earrings
LOL LOL LOL
Report Post »Your Name Here
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 10:03pmThere was a recent Mythbusters episode that showed the cinnamon challenge and they also mentioned the hazards of trying this.
Report Post »I tablespoon of cinnamon in your mouth and you are supposed to swallow it.
Most people spew it like a powder cannon but they said that if you inhale it and it gets in your lungs you could be in for some real fun.
As far as the railroad track stunt I have to say “Ever heard of a dry run?” Put a dummy down and see if it makes it before you try with your own body.
Kids today are more-OFF and moron.
aragona
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:24pmThere’s another challenge called the cinnamon challenge making its way around too. Also dangerous. I’m not going to lie, I laughed my rearend off, over and over, watching this video. In fact, I’m laughing just thinking about watching this video! LOL
Doesn‘t mean she isn’t an idiot, though. I mean, who DOES THIS?!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyk7utV_D2I
Report Post »aragona
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:28pmThe link did post, ha ha.
This girl also did the salt and ice challenge and said there was a frozen spot in her arm. Darwin’s going to catch up with her!
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:30pmCan’t fix stupid…But now we can pay for their healthcare!
Report Post »TPaine
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:16pmAh! Kids struggling to make it to the shallow end of the gene pool. I think it’s wonderful myself…this kid will have an everlasting scar on his back to show all of his friends. How impressive!
Report Post »mike119
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:12pmjust hold yor breath like in the good ol days…idiots.
Report Post »oeaoho
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:30pmlol
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:11pmif obama had a son he would be this stupid
Report Post »anomnomnommm
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 9:56pmThis is just mean, with no basis whatsoever. This is why people don’t respect the opinions of Blaze readers.
Report Post »sldjulius
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 10:12pmpsychosis: ROFL!
I love how this stupid comment provides endless opportunities to mock Obama.
Report Post »highhard1
Posted on July 6, 2012 at 10:39pmDoes that mean Michelle was bangin Trayvon’s momma?
Report Post »rcw_68
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:06pmI just want to know how they come up with stuff like this?
Report Post »Baracalypse
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:05pmWell, at least it was a cross. I’d bet a swastika burned in to his back would have been a “teachable moment”.
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:03pm…
Report Post »This is the future generation of Americans.
Each generation gets dumber and dumber.
We are so screwed.
chips1
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:20pmThe civilization that built the Pyramids said the same thing thousands of years ago. They were right. All of that knowledge flushed down the toilet. Pharaoh Robamo believed in change also.
Report Post »frust@ted
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:01amKids of every generation make stupid decisions, drag racing, chicken, Russian roulette, 5 finger fillet, bloody knuckles. I can go on and on but most of these have been along long before the salt and ice game.
Does not mean they aren’t stupid, but don’t think your generation was any more intelligent.
Report Post »NLN
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 12:08amLead you are 100% correct. We are in super bad trouble. And I don’t see it getting any better.
Report Post »Karron
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:02pmIdiot. Must have been trying to prove his macho genes were intact. At least it isn’t a swear word, or something even worse. Teenage boys tend to be so stupid, all hormones, zero brains.
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:10pmThe girls are no better. It’s hard to find one these days without a tattoo.
Report Post »libertyandresponsibility
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:20pmYeah the classy teenage girls these day. Half clothed and flipping off the carmera as their Facebook pic
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 9:35pmThe shocking news used to be that a girl was pregnant or a boy was gay.
Report Post »frust@ted
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:03pmOh nooooo not a tattoo!!!!! They are definitely smoking the Pot then and sleeping with multiple men and are probably the 1 in 4 teens sexting.
Report Post »NOT A CRAZY
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:02pmDuhhh!!! You would think that even a twelve year old would be smart enough to figure this one out.
Report Post »team1blazer
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 6:56pmAh, those silly kids having fun. It’s all laughs until someone goes to the ER….then it’s hilarious.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on July 1, 2012 at 7:25pmHe will spend the rest of his life on Obama’s list of pre-conditions.
Report Post »