MAYWOOD, IL – Loyola Medicine's Burn Center has treated eight patients who were burned while performing or watching a "boiling water challenge" during the Polar Vortex. Patients range in age from 3 to 53.
The challenge involves throwing boiling water into the air and watching it turn into a cloud of steam. People can experience first, second or even third-degree burns when they accidently spill boiling water on their feet or spray it on to their face or body.
"We strongly warn people to not perform the boiling water challenge," said Loyola burn surgeon Arthur Sanford, MD. "There is no safe way to do it."
RSS