Exploring the hazardous social media trend among youths, experts shed light on 'chroming'.
This harmful behavior involves achieving a high by inhaling vapors from various legal items, such as permanent markers, aerosol deodorants, nail polish, metallic paint, computer dusters, carburetor cleaners, paint thinners, gasoline, and hair sprays, as per Dr. Anthony Pizon, a professor of emergency medicine and chief of the division of medical toxicology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
The phrase originates from the post-inhalation impact of inhaling metallic paint on a cloth, leaving a chrome or metallic sheen on an individual's face, as Dr. Pizon explained.
Chroming can be perpetrated through inhalation, either through the nose or mouth, directly from the container or a saturated rag or plastic bag, as detailed by Dr. Betty Choi, a pediatrician and author of "Human Body Learning Lab: Take An Inside Tour of How Your Anatomy Works."
"Individuals have been inhaling fumes for centuries," Choi stated via email. According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, inhalant abuse peaked in the 1990s and has decreased subsequently. However, experimentation rates among teenagers have recently increased again.
The number of 12- to 17-year-old American adolescents utilizing inhalants decreased from 684,000 in 2015 to 554,000 in 2022, according to the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. However, in recent years, young individuals have typically abused inhalants more than any other age group older than 12, and the numbers have been steadily increasing again, reaching at least 564,000 in 2023, as per SAMHSA.
"These kids frequently have an underlying psychiatric component, seeking to relax or self-medicate," Pizon asserted. Rates of anxiety, depression, and other mood issues have recently increased among young individuals.
The widespread availability and promotion of inhalant-related content on various social media platforms is another factor, experts suggested.
Some TikTok users had been sharing videos labeled "WhipTok," for example, which references the general practice of inhaling substances, including nitrous oxide, Choi said. TikTok now endeavors to restrict users from viewing such content by directing them to hotlines and resources on the effects of substance misuse.
"Most of these products are easily obtainable at home and inexpensive to buy in stores," Choi explained. Chroming can become addictive with repeated use.
Here are some details about the dangers of chroming, indications of dependency, and how to discuss the practice with young individuals.
The impact of chroming on health
Some adolescents believe that compared to other drugs, huffing or chroming is not a significant concern since the misused products are legally available for their intended purposes and are commonly used in daily activities, Choi stated. Many state legislatures have attempted to restrict sales to minors.
However, there are both short- and long-term health risks associated with misusing these products, and individuals who engage in this behavior may be at risk of seeking more potent substances, as Pizon noted.
Short-term effects can occur instantly and last a few hours, exhibiting symptoms similar to alcohol intoxication, including a combination of euphoria and lightheadedness, clumsiness, slurred speech, or disinhibition. Nausea, vomiting, cardiac issues, seizures, muscle weakness, drowsiness, or difficulty breathing are also possible, Pizon stated.
Long-term effects of repeated chroming can include academic struggles, damage to the kidneys or liver, electrolyte imbalances, neuropathy, addiction, brain or heart damage, memory and concentration problems, ulcers, nosebleeds, mental health issues, and mood changes such as apathy, paranoia, or irritability, experts reported.
Chroming can be fatal, and the necessary dose to produce fatal consequences can be unpredictable, depending on both the product used and personal health, but sometimes, a single session can result in death, Choi observed.
Risk levels can also depend on the substances used and the methods employed, such as when bagging causes suffocation, Choi pointed out.
The exact number of young people who die each year as a result of inhalant use is not definitively known. However, in March 2022, a mother reported the death of her 11-year-old son in the United Kingdom due to a suspected cardiac arrest after he inhaled toxic chemicals during a sleepover with a friend. This tragedy followed reports of the deaths of a 13-year-old Australian girl in 2023 and two 16-year-old boys in 2019. There have also been reports of hospitalizations and brain damage.
"When dealing with chrome, it's best to approach it like handling any other risks – a continuous dialogue over time," Choi explained. Interacting with your young one might involve comments such as "Let's put a cap on those markers as the intense scents might give you a headache," or "Those artists wear N95 masks because inhaling spray paint can be hazardous."
In more formal conversations, always begin with understanding, ask open-ended questions, and truly listen to your kids without judgment or rushing to conclusions, Choi suggested. Understand that chrome may not appear as a significant issue when their peers or online friends are doing it, yet people often experiment out of curiosity, and it's much more hazardous than it may seem.
Try telling them, "It can significantly damage your brain, heart, and other organs. Some kids have even lost their lives the first time. I adore you and want you to be aware of the truth. My role is to assist you in making safe choices concerning your body," Choi suggested.
Remind your child that if they ever feel pressured or curious, you're always here to listen, and together, you can uncover other enjoyable ways to spend time with friends and strategize ways to avoid situations where chrome might arise.
"If they feel secure and supported, they are more likely to communicate their thoughts with you," Choi added.
You can also consider limiting their social media usage or using apps that help monitor their online activities, as suggested by Pizon.
Being involved in your child's life and asking if the consequences of chrome align with their immediate or long-term goals for their life can be beneficial in opening their eyes to the risks.
If chrome becomes a persistent issue for your child, they may have a dependency that is challenging for them to overcome, despite your efforts, as mentioned by Pizon. Reach out to their primary care provider for professional resources in your area.
Common symptoms of a chrome overdose include confusion, numbness, drowsiness, hallucinations, fainting, and seizures. If these signs occur, seek help immediately and contact 911 or a local poison control center.
The practice of chroming can negatively impact an individual's health, leading to short-term symptoms similar to alcohol intoxication and long-term issues such as academic struggles, kidney or liver damage, and mental health problems. (impact of chroming on health)
Encouraging regular discussions about the risks of chroming and their impact on health can help young individuals understand the potential consequences and make informed decisions. (dealing with chrome like handling any other risks)
