An Alabama teenager who suffered life-changing burns after following a viral TikTok trend involving a NeeDoh stress toy is urging other children not to repeat the dangerous stunt.
Eli Blackmon, now 13, said the injuries he sustained two years ago left him with permanent scars and months of painful recovery after a microwaved toy burst open.
Sequence of Events
When Eli was 11 years old, he came across videos on TikTok showing people placing NeeDoh stress toys in the microwave to make them softer and squishier.
After heating the toy and taking it out of the microwave, he began playing with it.
Moments later, the toy suddenly burst open, spraying its superheated contents onto his neck and chest.
The hot material caused third-degree (full-thickness) burns, leaving Eli with severe injuries that required emergency medical treatment.
Over the next four months, he underwent an extensive recovery that included more than a dozen medical appointments. Doctors repeatedly removed dead tissue to encourage new skin growth, and he also received chemical treatments as part of his care.
During his recovery, Eli developed a staph infection in his shoulder. The severity of the burns also caused fluid loss, leading to stomach and digestive complications.
Recalling the ordeal, Eli said he feared for his life.
“It was just hurting, so I was focused on that. I was like, ‘What’s going to happen? Am I going to die?'”
His mother, Fallon Blackmon, said the experience was deeply traumatic for her son.
She explained that while doctors knew he would survive, an 11-year-old enduring such severe pain naturally feared the worst.
Family Speaks Out as Trend Continues
The Blackmon family said they decided to share their story because children are still attempting the viral challenge.
Eli said he has recently warned other young people not to microwave the toys after learning the trend continues to circulate on social media.
His message to others is simple:
“Don’t do it. It’s stupid. Consequences aren’t worth it.”
Schylling, the manufacturer of NeeDoh toys, has also responded to the viral trend, warning consumers not to heat, freeze or otherwise alter the toys, as doing so can create a risk of injury.
The family’s warning comes as experts continue urging parents to discuss dangerous social media trends with children and remind them not to imitate online challenges that involve heating household objects or toys.
