A viral YouTube challenge is taking the internet by storm, daring kids to bite into Tide Pods. Doctors are saying this could potentially lead to serious medical consequences.
“What we would see is oral burns, airway burns, possible aspiration into your lungs, burning of the lungs, and like I said, worst-case scenario: potentially death,” said Dr. Jonathan Skelton, emergency medicine doctor.
On the laundry detergent packets, a warning on the packaging states to call your poison control center if swallowed. Skelton says this is not something you want to try at home.
“We get in touch with Poison Control and follow their recommendations, which are typically going to be supportive care in these cases, which means IV fluids, airway management,” said Skelton.
Tide responded on Twitter to the challenge: “What should Tide PODs be used for? DOING LAUNDRY. Nothing else.”
“It may look like a toy with its bright colors and things like that to children and even some adults, and think, ‘Oh it’s soap, it’s not a big deal.’ It really is a big deal, and caution needs to be taken so you should never put anything in your mouth that’s not intended to go in your mouth if you’re an adult or a child,” said Skelton.
If you have any kids or pets, make sure you keep the Tide box out of reach, locked away or just out of sight. You do not want any accidents at home.
It is unclear how many people have gotten sick or died while trying this dare, but at least 10 deaths have been linked to eating these pods. Two were toddlers and eight were seniors with dementia.
