Mother Issues Urgent Warning to Parents About ‘Chroming’ After Daughter Collapses

There are many unsafe challenges circulating social media. Some are unique, like the sunburn art challenge, but some began long before the internet. For example, the chroming trend is a re-packaged version of inhalant abuse. It’s also called “huffing” or “whippits.” It involves inhaling toxic chemicals from household products, like aerosol cans or cleaning supplies, to feel high. Not only is this trend incredibly dangerous, one mom warns, but it could also be fatal.

Chroming: A Dangerous Social Media Trend

Mikayla Solomon feared for her daughter’s life after she became “violently ill” after chroming. Twelve-year-old Teigan and her friend inhaled “five or six” aerosol cans after hearing about the trend on social media. Solomon took her daughter to the hospital when she complained of dizziness and heart palpitations hours after “chroming.”

“I just feel so grateful it wasn’t worse,” said Solomon. “She could’ve easily gone into cardiac arrest. I could’ve easily lost my daughter that day.”

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“She Could’ve Died”

However, the doctors cleared Teigan and sent her home. But she continued experiencing symptoms including wheezing and vomiting for twelve days after the incident. 

“I am concerned about long-term damage,” said the mom. “I’ve read things like it can cause cognitive impairment and memory loss.”

So she warns other parents about this dangerous trend. Teigan had said she and her friend tried chroming for a laugh and “didn’t really think about the consequences.”

“She’s 12 so she shouldn’t really be on [social media] but all their friends are so they’re going to see these trends but [the platforms] need to crack down on it,” said Solomon. “Social media influences our children so much. Parents need to know the dangers.”

The Dangers of Social Media Trends

Tragically, the chroming challenge has a body count. In March, eleven-year-old Tommie-Lee Gracie Billington from the U.K. died after participating in the trend. And in 2023, 13-year-old Esra Haynes from Australia passed away after huffing deodorant.

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The Negative Effects of Chroming

While most kids are taught to “say no to drugs,” they may not associate substance abuse with household items like paint, permanent markers, and hairspray. Despite being commonplace, these items can be extremely dangerous when inhaled. They can create a “depressant or relaxant” state for the brain, which can lead to a high. Other symptoms include dizziness, hallucinations, heart palpitations, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, chest pain, blackouts, and loss of body control. 

Products with propane or butane can cause immediate death by cutting off oxygen to the brain. But other products can seriously damage the brain and cause long-term issues like memory problems, learning deficits, psychiatric disorders, and addiction.

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Talking About Chroming With Your Children

The chroming trend inspires many important discussions for parents to have with their children. For one, the dangers of social media and its peer pressure. Parents should also teach the safe way to handle toxic products, such as opening windows when using paint and spraying hairspray away from the face. 

Additionally, chroming can become addictive, like with any other substance, causing a dependency on the high. Plus, it’s easier to hide inhalant abuse compared to other drugs because of how innocent the products may seem. Some people may believe chroming is “safer” than misusing street or prescription drugs but this is not the case. 

“If an individual collapses or is unresponsive, has a seizure, has abnormal breathing, or cannot be awakened, call 911 right away,” says Kelly Johnson-Arbor, M.D., FACEP, FUHM, FACMT, a medical toxicologist, co-medical director and interim executive director of the National Capital Poison Center. “For other signs and symptoms that occur after chroming, contact Poison Control. There are two ways to contact Poison Control: online or by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.”

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