Gen Z likes ‘chroming:’ Doctors sound alarm on dangerous behavior, issue urgent warning to parents

“Chroming” is the latest trend to gain traction among teenagers – and it has claimed the lives of many children.

Similar to huffing, “chroming” refers to the practice of absorbing chemicals from common items such as permanent markers, aerosol deodorants, nail polish, paints or hairspray for a short time, according to CNN.

“Most of these products are easy to find at home and are inexpensive to buy in stores,” said Dr. Betty Choi, an author and pediatrician for CNN. “(Chroming) can become addictive when done over and over again.”

“Chroming” – a term derived from smelling chrome-based paint products – has resulted in the deaths and hospitalizations of children in recent months and prompted concerned parents to speak out.

But the behavior is not new – whips and abrasive substances have been around for years.

“People have been inhaling smoke for centuries,” Choi said. “According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, inhalant abuse peaked in the 1990s and has been declining over the past two decades. But in recent years, the rate of experimentation among teenagers has increased again.”

The number of American teenagers using inhalants fell from 684,000 in 2015 to 554,000 in 2022 — but rose again last year to 564,000, according to the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

In a dark corner of TikTok, users of “WhipTok” – a pun on the term “whippets” – used to upload content related to “chroming”, which the platform has tried to censor by banning creators from using the tag and in instead it highlights helplines and other resources for substance abuse.

But unlike the lighter trends of TikTok, this online fad can be fatal.

“Chromium” can cause slurred speech, hallucinations, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and other serious side effects, such as heart attacks, seizures, choking, or death. It can cause damage to internal organs such as the brain, heart, lungs and more.

According to the National Institutes of Health, “sudden olfactory death syndrome” can occur after just one use.

“There’s often a psychiatric component to these kids who are just looking to rest or self-medicate,” Dr. Anthony Pizon, a professor of emergency medicine and chief of the division of medical toxicology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. told CNN.

Meanwhile, reports of declining adolescent mental health have emerged in recent years.

Pizon warned that children who are “engaging in this activity are likely to be at risk of seeking more powerful drugs” and recommended that parents throw away or lock up items that could be used for “chroming” and potentially limit social media or monitor the activity theirs online. .

“The best way to approach chromium is to approach it like other risks — an ongoing conversation over time,” Choi advised, adding that parents should educate their children about the dangers of inhalants.

“It can permanently damage the brain, heart and other organs. Some children have even died the first time,” Choi continued, noting that parents should reaffirm their love for their children during these conversations to make them “feel safe and supported.”