Salt & Ice Challenge – Risks to Children and Young People

Background

• The “Salt and Ice Challenge” is an online trend where young people place salt on their skin and press ice on top for as long as possible.

• This creates a chemical reaction, rapidly lowering the temperature and causing cryogenic (cold) burns, similar to frostbite.

• Children and young people may underestimate the harm as the cold numbs the skin, masking pain until significant damage has occurred.

Risks

• Second- or third-degree burns, potential need for skin grafts, lasting scarring, nerve damage, and impact on wellbeing.

• Peer and online pressure amplify the likelihood of wider uptake.

Recent Cases

• ED teams in North East London have already treated children for significant burns linked to this challenge.

• Similar surges have been reported nationally and internationally in the past.

Immediate First Aid Advice

• Cool the affected area under lukewarm running water for at least 10 minutes.

• Do not apply ice, creams, or fluffy dressings.

• Cover with clean cling film or smooth plastic.

• Seek medical attention for deep, blistered, or extensive burns.

Recommended Actions for Schools, Parents and Carers

• Awareness: Alert staff, parents, and carers to the risks of the Salt & Ice Challenge.

• Education: Reinforce with children and young people that this is not a “harmless game” but can cause serious and lasting harm.

• Safeguarding: Be alert to children presenting with unexplained burn injuries and consider safeguarding risks.

Communication suggestions:

• Use assemblies, PSHE lessons, and parent newsletters to share simple prevention messages.

Key Messages for Young People

• “The Salt & Ice Challenge can leave permanent scars—don’t risk it.”

• “Cold burns damage tissue, even if you can’t feel it happening.”

• “Don’t hurt yourself for likes—there are safer ways to have fun online.”

Suggested Next Steps

• Please cascade this briefing across your schools and networks.

• Local safeguarding and health teams can provide further advice if required.

For further information contact:

• Insert local safeguarding contacts

Suggested messaging:

🔥⚠️ Parent & Carer Alert: The “Salt & Ice Challenge”

A dangerous online trend is resurfacing where children put salt on their skin and press ice on top.

👉 This causes serious cold burns (like frostbite).

👉 Injuries can need hospital treatment and even skin grafts.

👉 Young people may not realise the damage until it’s too late.

✅ First Aid: Cool with lukewarm running water for 10+ minutes, cover with clean cling film, and seek medical help.

❌ Do NOT use ice, creams, or fluffy dressings.

Message for children & young people:

✨ Hurting yourself for likes isn’t worth it. The scars can last a lifetime.

Suggested Social Media posts:

⚠️ The “Salt & Ice Challenge” is NOT harmless. It causes severe cold burns, scarring & sometimes skin grafts. Please talk to children & young people—don’t risk lasting damage for online likes.

Parents & carers: beware the “Salt & Ice Challenge.” ❄️+🧂 = serious burns.

✅ Cool under lukewarm water 10+ mins

✅ Cover with cling film

✅ Seek medical help

Don’t let a trend leave permanent scars.

Young people: the “Salt & Ice Challenge” can leave scars for life. ❄️ It’s not worth it for likes. Protect your skin, protect your future. 💙 #StaySafe

Information shared by: Dr Giles Armstrong giles.armstrong@nhs.net Kath Evans kath.evans3@nhs.net of Barts Health