A 12-year-old boy was left fighting for his life after a dangerous social media deodorant trend went wrong, causing a cardiac arrest. According to experts, Cesar Watson-King – a resident of Doncaster allegedly inhaled a can of antiperspirant after participating in the chroming craze.

The trend involves inhaling toxic fumes from deodorant cans, hairspray, and nail polish remover to achieve a ‘high’.

However, according to his family, the moment he inhaled, Cesar had a seizure and was given CPR by his mother to restore breathing. He was then rushed to hospital where Cesar suffered further seizures and a cardiac arrest before being placed in a medically induced coma. “I had just finished breastfeeding my baby and was drifting off to sleep when I heard this really loud bang. I thought one of the kids had done something. I had heard Cesar creeping downstairs and thought he'd gone downstairs for something to eat. The band sounded like someone had fallen over. I heard like a moaning sound from downstairs and thought Cesar had broken a bone or something,” his mother told The Sun.

Chroming is a practice experts say involves inhaling toxic fumes leading to health issues like brain damage, cardiac arrest, and even death. Recently it found popularity with younger generations on social media platforms, where youngsters post videos of themselves doing it.

According to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 6,84,000 adolescents between the ages of 12-17 years huffed toxic chemicals in 2020. Nearly 2 million people 12 years and older performed the practice that same year, though inhalant use typically decreases with age.

Doctors say when toxic fumes are inhaled, they start to affect the central nervous system and slow down brain activity, resulting in a short-term 'high.' However, it also causes:

• Slurred speech
• Dizziness
• Hallucinations
• Nausea and disorientation
• Suffocation in rare cases.

According to experts, chroming can also lead to long-term brain health issues, as over time, sniffing toxic fumes alters neurons within the brain and causes memory problems and learning deficits – even leading to psychiatric disorders. Other side effects include:

• Cardiac issues like dysrhythmia
• Pneumonitis (inflammation of the lung)
• Asphyxiation
• Kidney damage
• Increased cancer risk if using a product with benzene
• Fainting
• Burns to the face as many products are flammable
• Death

England's drug and aerosol abuse charity Talk to Frank reports there are more than 50 deaths in the country each year involving glues, gases, solvents, and aerosols.

According to experts, it is important to openly talk to kids, especially teenagers, about the ill effects of chroming and how social media propagates dangers. A few tips on approaching the conversation, include:

Experts say it is important for parents to create a safe space for conversation by approaching the topic of chroming with empathy, understanding, and genuine concern.

Inform children and teens about chroming and the risks can empower them to understand the importance of their well-being.

Communicating boundaries and the risks of violating them is extremely important and so is making them understand the repercussions of risky behaviour.

If you know a teenager who is involved in such trends, seek assistance from a licensed therapist or substance abuse counselor.

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