On 6/8, representatives from Hong Ngoc - Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital reported that the boy was previously healthy with no history of allergies and this was his first exposure to slime.

According to his family, only 30 minutes after playing, the boy began touching his face and complaining of burning eyes. Soon after, his eyes and mouth swelled rapidly, accompanied by vomiting and coughing. The origin of the slime is currently unknown.

Doctors diagnosed the boy with Quincke's edema, a type of acute allergic reaction causing swelling in the deep layers of the skin and mucous membranes. "More dangerously, if this condition spreads to the throat or larynx, it can lead to airway obstruction," a hospital representative said.

Illustration of slime toy. Photo provided by the hospital

Illustration of slime toy. Photo provided by the hospital

The boy was promptly treated with the corticosteroid Solu-Medrol and the antihistamine Dimedrol, while being closely monitored for the risk of a level 2 anaphylactic shock.

Fortunately, after about 20 minutes of intensive treatment, the boy's swelling gradually subsided, no further unusual symptoms appeared, and his health stabilized.

The main cause of allergies or poisoning from playing with slime is often borax, a chemical used to create the slime's pliable and sticky texture. If the borax content in the slime exceeds permissible levels, or if the child has sensitive skin or open wounds, the risk of an allergic reaction is higher. Allergic reactions can range from mild itching, rashes, and hives to more severe swelling (angioedema), nausea, abdominal pain, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and even anaphylactic shock.

Many types of slime available on the market do not meet quality standards, containing excessive levels of borax or other potentially harmful chemicals such as colorants, fragrances, and preservatives.

In 2021, 35 students at Hoa Khuong Primary School in Da Nang were hospitalized with symptoms like shortness of breath and itchy skin due to poisoning from homemade slime sold by a student after mixing various chemicals. In 2018, a 7-year-old boy in Hanoi also suffered severe swelling and skin infections from playing with slime.

Thuy Quynh