Despite having seen several young people tragically lose their lives, the dangerous social media trend of 'chroming' appears be on the rise once again.
As such, a doctor has issued a vital warning against the potentially-fatal activity, advising parents to learn the risks involved.
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What is 'chroming'?
The viral trend gets its name from the act of sniffing chrome-based paint, but the definition has since been stretched to include other toxic chemicals - including solvents, aerosol cans and glue.
It can also be referred to as 'huffing' or 'sniffing'.
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Taking part in the dangerous habit - which has seemingly skyrocketed in popularity after being associated with social media - affects the individual's central nervous system, resulting in a short-term 'high' as the brain slows down.
Heartbreaking losses
In the last year alone, countless teenagers and young people have fallen victim to 'chroming', many of whom hail from the UK.
Back in May, Lancaster 11-year-old Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington suffered a suspected cardiac arrest after 'chroming' at a friend's house during a sleepover.
Doncaster pre-teen Cesar King wound up receiving urgent care and almost died after taking part in the trend - his own mother having found him unconscious with his eyes rolling to the back of his head.
Twelve-year-old Kent-born Teigan Solomon was also rushed to hospital earlier this year after inhaling five cans of deodorant in a dangerous attempt, claiming she did so 'for a laugh'.
It isn't just British youngsters that have lost their lives after 'chroming', however.
Melbourne-born student Esra Haynes, 13, hit headlines last year when she sadly passed away after she and her friends gave the trend a try.
A stern warning
Now, concerned that 'chroming' may once again be on the rise, one doctor has issued an important message to vulnerable Gen Zs about the risks involved with taking part in the trend, even once.
Dr Betty Choi, an author and paediatrician, recently reemphasised to parents the signs that their children could be secretly trying the life-threatening activity.
"Most of these products are easy to find in homes and cheap to buy in stores," she told CNN.
"(Chroming) can become addictive when it’s done over and over again. People have been inhaling fumes for centuries.
"According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, inhalant abuse peaked in the 1990s and was downtrending over the last two decades. But in recent years, experimentation rates among teens have risen again."
Dr Choi added that the 'best way' to approach the trend is to do so as you would as a parent with any other drugs, encouraging an 'ongoing conversation over time'.
"It can permanently screw up your brain, heart and other organs," she went on. "Some kids have even died the first time."
Topics: Social Media, Parenting, Health, Mental Health, World News
Rhianna Benson