Understand what “chroming” is and why it is harmful to health

“Chroming” is a dangerous practice that consists of a way of getting high by inhaling hydrocarbons while misusing various legal products, including permanent markers, aerosol deodorants, nail polish, metallic paint, computer cleaning sprays, carburetor cleaner , paint thinners, gasoline and hairspray, said Dr. Anthony Pizon, professor of emergency medicine and chief of the division of medical toxicology at the University of Pittsburgh.

The term comes from the side effect of inhaling metallic paints sprayed onto a cloth, which leaves a chrome or metallic residue on the face, Pizon explained.

Common forms of “chroming” involve inhaling, via the nose or mouth, directly from the container or a cloth or plastic bag saturated with the chosen product, said Dr. Betty Choi, a pediatrician and author of the book “Human Body Learning Lab: Take An Inside Tour of How Your Anatomy Works.”

“People have been inhaling vapors for centuries,” Choi said in an email. “According to the 2020 US National Survey on Drug Use and Health, inhalant abuse peaked in the 1990s and had been declining over the past two decades. But in recent years, experimentation rates among teenagers have risen again.”

The number of American teens ages 12 to 17 who used inhalants fell from 684,000 in 2015 to 554,000 in 2022, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). But in recent years, young people generally use inhalants more than any other group over age 12, and the numbers are rising again, reaching at least 564,000 by 2023, according to SAMHSA.

“Often there is an underlying psychiatric component in these young people who are just trying to relax or self-medicate,” Pizon said. Rates of anxiety, depression and other mood problems have been rising among young people.

There is also a widespread prevalence of substance-related content on various social media platforms, experts said.

Some TikTok users had posted videos under the term “WhipTok,” which references the general practice of inhaling substances including nitrous oxide, Choi said — but TikTok is now trying to ban users from viewing any content with that tag by targeting them for helplines and resources about the effects of substance misuse.

“Most of these products are easy to find at home and cheap to buy in stores,” Choi said. “(Chroming) can become addictive when done repeatedly.”

Here’s what else you should know about the risks of chroming, signs of addiction, and how to talk to young people about the practice.

The effects of chroming on health

Some teens told Choi that they think that, compared to other drugs, snorting or chroming is not a big problem, since the products they are misusing are legally available (but for their legitimate purposes) and commonly found in activities. everyday. Many state legislators have tried to restrict the sale of these products to minors.

But there are serious risks of both short- and long-term abuse of these products, and sometimes “children who are involved in this activity are at risk for seeking out more potent drugs,” Pizon said.

The short-term effects, which can be immediate and last a few hours, are similar to those of alcohol intoxication, Choi said — there can be a mix of euphoria with dizziness, lack of coordination, slurred speech or disinhibition. Nausea, vomiting, heart problems, seizures, muscle weakness, drowsiness or difficulty breathing are also possible, Pizon said.

Consequences of repeated chroming may include poor academic performance, kidney or liver dysfunction, electrolyte disturbances, neuropathy, addiction, brain or heart damage, memory and concentration problems, ulcers, nosebleeds, mental health disorders, and mood changes such as apathy , paranoia or irritability, experts said.

Chroming can also be fatal, and the amount and frequency leading to this outcome are unpredictable, experts said. This can depend on both the product used and the person’s health, but sometimes a single session can lead to death, Choi said.

Risk levels can also depend on the products and methods used, such as when using plastic bags causes suffocation, Choi said.

How many young people die each year from inhalant use is not conclusively known. But in March, a UK mother reported that her 11-year-old son died of suspected cardiac arrest after inhaling toxic substances while at a friend’s house. This tragedy followed news of the deaths of a 13-year-old Australian girl in 2023 and two 16-year-old boys in 2019. There were also reports of hospitalizations and brain damage.

Protecting children from substance misuse

Stopping children from chroming can be difficult, as the items used are often household or hobby products. But if there are products you don’t need or don’t use often, throw them away or lock them away, Pizon said.

In addition to the aforementioned effects of chroming, Choi said other signs that a child is involved in the practice include frequent nosebleeds or sores around the mouth or nose, which can result from chemical erosion of the coating on these parts.

Also keep an eye out for these products in your child’s room, as well as poorer school performance or lack of interest in activities, Pizon said. Be aware of their activities and what they have access to.

“The best way to approach chroming is like other hazards — an ongoing conversation over time,” Choi said. Engaging with your child may involve comments like “Let’s cap those markers because the strong smell might give you a headache,” or “Those painters are wearing N95 masks because it’s dangerous to breathe in the paint spray.”

In more formal discussions, always start with empathy, ask open-ended questions, and listen to your child without interrupting, embarrassing, or jumping to conclusions, Choi said. Say that you understand that chroming may not seem like a big deal when friends or people online are doing it, but that people sometimes try it out of curiosity, and it’s a lot more dangerous than it seems.

Try saying something like, “This could permanently harm your brain, heart, and other organs. Some children even died the first time. I love you and I want to make sure you know the facts. My job is to help you make safe decisions about your body,” suggested Choi.

Remind your child that if they feel pressured or curious, you are always there to listen, and together you can find other fun ways to spend time with friends and think of ways to avoid situations where chroming might arise.

“If they feel safe and supported, they are more likely to open up and share their thoughts with you,” Choi said.

You can also try limiting social media use or using apps that help you monitor what your child is seeing online, Pizon said.

Being involved with your children and asking whether the effects of chroming fit into your own immediate or long-term goals for life can be helpful in opening their eyes to the dangers.

If you notice that chroming is a recurring problem for your child, he or she may have an addiction that he or she can’t easily shake despite your intervention, Pizon said. Ask your primary care doctor for professional resources in your area.

Confusion, numbness, drowsiness, hallucinations, fainting and seizures are common signs of a chroming overdose, for which you should seek help and contact a local poison control center immediately, experts said.

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This content was originally published in Understand what “chroming” is and why it is harmful to health on the CNN Brasil website.

Source: CNN Brasil