Even deaths? Authorities warn against misuse of deodorant as TikTok test of courage

Spray deodorant spray on an area of ​​the skin up to the absolute pain threshold or even inhale it: The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) warns against such dangerous, sometimes life-threatening courage tests. Videos of people doing just that – with disastrous consequences – have surfaced on TikTok and other social media.

A so-called deodorant challenge is currently circulating on social media, in which young people in particular take photos and videos of themselves, the institute reports. “The deaths of young people in Germany are now being linked in the media to the ‘deodorant challenge’.” Imitation is not recommended, regardless of age. The actions are extremely dangerous to health and can be life-threatening.

If you spray deodorant on an area of ​​skin for a long time, in extreme cases the temperature could drop to -30 degrees within seconds, it was said. In addition to pain, there is a risk of massive skin damage and the affected skin area may die.

“Cold burns are a special case of frostbite and exhibit similar symptoms to “classic” burns. When a very cold substance comes into contact with the skin, the water in the affected skin cells freezes.

Ice crystals form, which cause the proteins in this area to denature, that is, change their structure and can therefore no longer perform their function, the experts explain.

In a second variant of the courage test, aerosols of deodorant spray are inhaled. According to the BfR, this can “directly lead to loss of consciousness, heart failure and respiratory paralysis”. Severe cases can be fatal or lead to permanent brain damage.

(t-online/dpa)