Making your own slime is all the rage lately, but be warned — some slime recipes that seem innocent enough can lead to serious injuries.
A Massachusetts girl was hospitalized with second- and third-degree burns after using a DIY slime recipe with borax as one of the ingredients, according to CBS Philly.
Kathleen Quinn told CBS Philly that her skin felt really hot and tingly as it turned red, and doctors say that extended exposure to the borax caused the burns. Borax, or sodium borate, is described as a household cleaner.
Kathleen’s recipe also included glue and water, and her mother said that Kathleen had handled the slime for days before having a reaction.
“From constantly handling it, it just, I think, did a number on her skin. She wore rubber gloves while making it so it wasn’t really making it that was the issue, just handling that finished product,” Kathleen’s mom, Siobhan, told Inside Edition. She added that they hope their story is a warning to be cautious when making homemade slime. “The doctors agreed it was a chemical burn from the borax.”
Although the homemade slime looks fun, it can be unsafe — especially if it’s ingested.
“Borax can be lethal if ingested — less than 5 grams for a child and between 15-20 grams for an adult. Signs of exposure include red and peeling skin, seizures and kidney failure,” pediatrician Dr. Michael O’Reilly wrote on the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin’s blog. “Borax can also cause skin, eye or respiratory irritation. In rare cases, prolonged exposure can cause infertility or damage to an unborn child.”
O’Reilly explained that the amount of borax in the recipes is small and it is diluted in water and glue. “So, while the risk may be small, it’s not zero,” he said, adding that if diluted properly, borax can be OK to use, but children should be supervised in the making of the slime.
So how can your kids safely make slime? Some doctors say avoiding borax and liquid laundry detergents altogether is recommended.
“Borax is boric acid … and you would never have somebody using acid to make slime at home,” dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman told Inside Edition. “It is very unsafe.”
Just a quick search on YouTube turns up millions of results for DIY slime recipes. Cool Mom Picks posted several homemade slime recipes without borax that include using cornstarch, chia seeds, Metamucil, Kool-Aid and gelatin.
Romper provides a three-ingredient slime recipe of yogurt, food coloring and cornstarch that is safe to play with and won’t harm your child if they eat it.
We haven’t tried all of these slime recipes ourselves, so be sure to use caution when getting your science on and slime at your own risk!
