Glasgow doctors warn of microwave-heated squishy toy burns

Medical professionals in Glasgow are warning parents and children about a dangerous social media trend that has caused severe burns to several young people. The trend involves heating popular "squishy" toys in a microwave, a practice shown in online videos to make the toys softer. However, experts say this causes pressure to build inside the toy, leading to explosions that release scalding gel that sticks to skin.

The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow has treated six children for injuries linked to this trend over the past eight months. Some injuries have been so severe they required surgery, including skin grafts. Two cases from May highlight the risks.

Eight-year-old Joseph Erskine from Clackmannanshire needed weeks of treatment and a skin graft after a toy burst across his chest and hand. His mother, Stephanie Ewing, said her son had seen the trend online. She described finding him holding a towel to his face after he had wiped off burning gel that had taken skin with it. He had used a microwave that was pre-set to 40 seconds. "It was that quick and easy for him," Ewing said. Joseph's burn required a graft using skin from his thigh, and he must now avoid direct sunlight...