“Chroming” Is a Dangerous TikTok Trend – Could Your Teen Be at Risk?

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This Post: Chroming” Is a Dangerous TikTok Trend. Could Your Teen Be at Risk?”

Written By: Marybeth Bock

Doesn’t it seem like every other month there’s a new TikTok challenge that’s catching the eye of our teens? Sure, some of them are fun and harmless, (like the viral “Don’t Rush Challenge” where users took a video of themselves applying makeup and then fast-forwarded the video and shared the hilarious results on TikTok), BUT some of them aren’t quite so harmless.

In fact, some are downright dangerous. 

Well, here’s one that’s trending now that all parents of teens should be aware of and certainly one you’ll want to discuss with your teenager because it’s a health risk you want them to avoid at all costs. It’s called “Chroming.”

Chroming is a popular and dangerous TikTok trend where people inhale fumes from a toxic source to experience an immediate, short-term high. Common toxic substances include chemicals like hair spray, nail polish remover, chrome-based paint, gasoline, detergent, whipped cream canisters, and spray paint. 

The term “chroming” originated in Australia, where it was used to describe the inhalation of chrome-based spray paint fumes. Over time, it has come to refer to the broader practice of inhaling any number of volatile substances, like common household items such as glues and cleaning products. 

And yes, this is similar to what we might remember was called “huffing.” According to Dr. Anthony Pizon, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center chief of medical toxicology, “chroming” is the latest version of “huffing.” TikTok has simply made it more popular. It is also referred to as “sniffing” or “rexing” and the video posts often use the hashtags #WhipTok or #Chroming. 

When someone inhales these toxic chemicals, the fumes enter their bloodstream quickly through the lungs, resulting in an instant but short-lived high. The chemicals can produce feelings of euphoria, dizziness, lightheadedness, or hallucinations. However, they can also have severe negative effects on a teenager’s brain and body, even after a single use. Some short-term effects can include slurred speech, nausea, and vomiting. 

Prolonged usage of these types of toxic substances, or a chroming overdose, can lead to severe health complications resulting in permanent damage to organs, including a decrease in brain activity, cardiac arrest, the need for life support, and even death. There is no way to predict how much of an inhalant will kill a person. A teenager could use a certain amount one time and seem fine, but the next use could cause death.

Teens may become lured into chroming because they can get an immediate short-term high without having to purchase and ingest hard drugs that are expensive and more difficult to get their hands on. 

And, as with any viral trend, teens are simply curious and think it’s fun to try something new that’s “a little risky,” especially if they’re with friends who are willing to try it as well. When they see other teens on TikTok laughing and seemingly having fun while chroming, they’re not even considering that something could go wrong and severely affect their health. 

Remember that your teen’s brain is still developing. The part of the human brain that handles rational thought, the prefrontal cortex, is not fully developed until the mid-20s. This means teenagers are naturally more impulsive and unlikely to think critically before engaging in risky behavior. 

We also have to be aware that social media can reward outrageous behavior, and teens are often highly motivated by the intense desire to get those likes and comments. The algorithms on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube can push certain trends repeatedly, which can make their users think that those trends are more popular than they actually are. 

Here are some helpful tips from the Healthy Children site:

1. Talk to your teenager – often

Ask your teen about the TikTok challenges or trends they’ve seen on the app or heard about in their circle of friends. Encourage them to see if they can surprise you. (I always found that conversations that started with a bit of humor were usually more productive and encouraged my kids to open up.) 

Ask them calmly and without judgment what they think about the challenge to gauge their interest. If you sense your teen is intrigued by the challenge and shows interest in giving it a try, talk to them. If you suspect they won’t listen, exercise your parental options such as limiting your teen’s screen time, putting social media controls in place, or limiting contact with certain kids. Nothing matters more than your teen’s safety. 

2. Ask open-ended questions

If your teen seems curious about participating in this or any other risky challenge, use open-ended questions to encourage them to think through each step of it. Ask them to consider the worst outcome and to think about why they would do it, and if it’s worth it. Are social media likes and comments worth hours in the emergency department or permanent health issues? Have they looked to see (from a reputable source) what has happened to other teenagers? 

3. Be sure you “friend” your teen on their social platforms

Staying connected on their preferred communication platforms can help you keep in touch with what goes on in their day-to-day lives. Watch their stories for clues about what’s going on in school and with their friends. Every parent makes unique rules for their kids, but it’s certainly not unreasonable to expect your teen to friend you on social media – especially when you’re paying for their device.  

4. Look around on TikTok for challenge trends

TikTok has a Discover page that parents can use to explore the wide variety of content on their platform. In the app, this page is found by clicking “Discover” at the bottom of the screen. A user can then utilize the search bar at the top to find specific content or explore trending videos, hashtags, and creators.

5. Keep an eye on your toxic household products

Because many of these products are common, it can be tough to remove all of them from your home. Medical experts suggest that the most important thing to do is to keep tabs on what you have in your house and do your best to keep them out of reach of tweens and teens who may be looking to experiment. If you suspect your child has used them already or might in the future, you may need to lock potential inhalable products in a cabinet.

6. Be aware of the signs of inhalant usage

Someone who is Chroming may show some or all of these signs:

• Looking or acting drunk, dazed, or dizzy
• Slurred or confused speech
• Trouble walking; being off-balance or uncoordinated
• Red or runny eyes and nose; nosebleeds
• “Huffer’s rash,” spots and/or sores around the mouth
• Breath that smells like chemicals
• Stains, paint, glitter, and/or chemical smell on skin or clothing
• Nausea and/or loss of appetite
• Confusion, moodiness, irritability
• Absences from school or work

As parents, it’s hard to keep up with all the newest fads and trends our teens are exposed which is why it’s so important to keep the lines of communication wide open with your teen. The more they know they can come to us about anything, the better chance we have of keeping them safe. 

If you suspect your teen is partaking in the dangerous TikTok trend Chroming, it’s important to seek immediate help from a healthcare professional, as the long-term consequences can be devastating. 

About Marybeth Bock

Marybeth Bock, MPH, is a Mom to two young adults and one delightful hound dog. She has logged time as a military spouse, childbirth educator, college instructor, and freelance writer. She lives in Arizona and thoroughly enjoys research and writing – as long as iced coffee is involved. Her work can be found on numerous websites and in two books. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

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