A young boy in Illinois, Caleb Chabolla, is in the process of recovery after suffering second-degree burns caused by a sensory toy known as NeeDoh. This unfortunate incident occurred when the 9-year-old attempted to soften the toy by placing it in a microwave, leading to serious injuries.
The NeeDoh toy, often akin to a stress ball and hailed for its soft and stretchy properties, is not intended to be microwaved. According to its manufacturer, it provides a unique tactile experience. Despite this, Caleb placed the toy in the microwave, which ultimately exploded upon being squeezed, resulting in burns on his face and hands.
Caleb’s mother, Whitney Grubb, heard his desperate cries after the incident. She rushed to his aid, only to find his face covered in a thick gel and bright red skin showing through. Realizing the severity of the situation, she transported him to the emergency room, where he was then transferred to the Loyola Burn Center.
Medical staff at the burn center treated Caleb’s injuries by removing damaged skin through a process called debridement. Concerns were also raised about his swollen eye, prompting an ophthalmology evaluation to ensure no further injury was sustained.
“His right eye had swollen shut, so they needed to check for any potential eye damage,” Grubb shared.
Interestingly, medical personnel informed Grubb that Caleb was the fifth child they had treated for similar injuries related to the microwaving of NeeDoh toys, influenced by a dangerous trend circulating on TikTok. Apparently, Caleb learned about this trend from school friends.
Following a two-week recovery period and consistent wound care, Caleb resumed attending school. Grubb noted that while some areas of his skin remain in the healing phase, the majority of his wounds are significantly improved. He will continue applying vitamin E lotion and sunscreen to protect his sensitive skin.
Grubb wants to raise awareness among other parents regarding the dangers associated with putting toys like NeeDoh in the microwave. She expressed, “It’s challenging to oversee every action our children take, and unfortunately, they often try things without understanding the risks involved.”
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