Teen Warns About Dangerous TikTok Trend After Severe Injury
An Alabama teenager and his family are raising alarms about a viral social media trend after a sensory toy he heated in the microwave exploded, resulting in third-degree burns.
Now 13, Eli Blackmon was just 11 when he came across a TikTok video showing people microwaving NeeDoh squishy toys to make them softer. These toys, described by the company as “attractive spheres” filled with stretchy fabric, seemed harmless to him.
“Adults tried it and nothing happened, so I thought it was safe,” Eli remarked.
After pulling the toy out of the microwave, his sister held it for a moment before he began to play with it. “As soon as I squeezed it, it burst, and hot gel sprayed onto my neck, chest, and hands,” he recalled.
The burns were severe. Eli’s mother, Fallon Blackmon, described a chaotic scene: “He was screaming, panicking, and not even able to communicate what was happening.” With her husband being a firefighter, she had some understanding of how serious the situation was, but panic set in nonetheless.
She said she was unaware of this trend until it was too late. “If I had known, we could have talked about not trying it.” She emphasized the risk and wished they had discussed it sooner.
Eli described the pain he felt after the incident. “I thought I was going to die. I kept saying I didn’t want to die and told my parents I loved them,” he shared, reflecting on a harrowing moment. He was quickly taken to the emergency department and subsequently admitted to a burn unit for treatment.
Due to the severity of the burns, doctors considered a skin graft but ultimately decided against it because of respiratory risks. For four months, Eli made weekly trips to the burn unit, where medical staff scraped away dead tissue and dressed his wounds.
This treatment was not without its own suffering. “The procedures were done without painkillers or numbing, making each follow-up visit extremely painful,” Fallon recalled. Additionally, Eli developed a rash from the bandaging that evolved into a staph infection, and the burns caused an alarming drainage issue, leading to gastrointestinal problems that persisted for months.
Due to his injury, Eli had to pause his jiu-jitsu training and competition for several months, burdening the family with thousands of dollars in medical bills and treatment costs.
Now, both Eli and his mother aim to warn other families about the dangers of such viral challenges. “If you’re buying these toys, mention this trend and think twice before purchasing,” she advised, noting that even kids who lack social media often hear about trends from peers at school.
Eli, now devoted to caring for his wounds to maintain neck mobility, has had to adopt a routine of stretching and moisturizing daily. “I have to massage it all the time,” he noted.
Despite the ordeal, Eli expressed gratitude for the support he’s received. “My friends and family say my scars are beautiful, so I haven’t lost confidence,” he mentioned. However, his message to kids contemplating similar viral trends is clear: “Please stop! It’s stupid. It causes so much pain.”
His mother entirely agrees and hopes sharing their experience will prevent another child from being “scarred for life.”
A TikTok spokesperson acknowledged that content promoting dangerous behavior is a violation of community guidelines and stated that such videos are removed as soon as they are found. Further comments from the manufacturer of NeeDoh have not been obtained yet.
