July 17, 2017.
Making sticky dough yourself is the hot new trend among kids. But parents beware, this game is not without risk.
Risk of burns and allergies
A new trend, coming from the United States, is all the rage among children: slime (slime in English). It’s a game that consists of making yourself a viscous paste that you can color and decorate with glitter to make it even prettier and fun. This trend has taken a real scale on the Internet where videos have multiplied. Tutorials even go viral with millions of likes on Youtube.
To make this dough, just mix white glue with water and powdered boric acid. By adding food coloring, we get new pasta that we do not hesitate to share on Instagram in particular. But this acid can cause severe burns and allergies. Photos have circulated on Twitter young girls whose hands were burnt during these creative workshops.
Do not bring this paste to your mouth
Boric acid, sometimes also called borax, can be bought over the counter at a drugstore. It is used as an antiseptic, antibacterial, deodorant and insecticide. It is not strictly speaking dangerous but in some people it may be irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. If swallowed, it can also cause vomiting, seizures, or diarrhea.
The white glue that makes up this paste should not be consumed or inhaled either. The slime must therefore be kept away from the little ones to avoid any risk of contact with the mouth. So that big girls take less risk, they will be advised to replace boric acid with cornstarch or shaving foam. Parents will also be advised to ensure that their children wash their hands well after playing with this paste.
Read also: Video games: what if the effects weren’t so bad for children?
Marine Rondot
