A 9-year-old Illinois boy is recovering after suffering second-degree burns to his face and hands when a popular sensory toy exploded after being heated in a microwave, highlighting growing safety concerns linked to a viral social media trend.
The child, identified as Caleb Chabolla, is a fourth-grade student who was injured late last month after attempting to warm a NeeDoh toy at home. NeeDoh, a widely sold sensory stress toy, is marketed as a soft, stretchy, dough-filled product designed for squeezing and tactile stimulation. According to the manufacturer’s description, the toy is intended to provide a “gratifying” sensory experience, but it is not designed to be heated.
According to the family, Caleb placed the NeeDoh in the microwave in an attempt to soften it. After removing the toy, he began squeezing it, at which point it suddenly ruptured and exploded, releasing hot gel onto his face and hands. His mother, Whitney Grubb, said she immediately heard her son screaming in pain and saw him run toward the bathroom yelling that his skin was burning.
Grubb observed that the right side of her son’s face was coated in a thick gel-like substance, with visibly red and irritated skin underneath. She attempted to rinse the material off but quickly realized the pain was too severe. She then rushed Caleb to the emergency room for urgent medical care.
Due to the severity of the burns, Caleb was transferred by ambulance to the Loyola Burn Center, where he remained hospitalized overnight. Doctors performed a medical procedure known as debridement, which involves removing damaged and dead skin to prevent infection and promote healing. Medical staff also consulted ophthalmology specialists after Caleb’s eye swelled shut, to ensure there was no permanent eye damage.
Doctors at the burn center reportedly informed the family that Caleb was not an isolated case. Medical professionals said they had recently treated at least four other children with similar burn injuries caused by microwaved NeeDoh toys, incidents they linked to a viral TikTok trend encouraging children to heat the toys.
After two weeks of recovery, including daily wound care, Caleb was cleared to return to school. His mother said his condition has improved significantly, though some areas of his skin are still healing. He will continue using vitamin E lotion and sunscreen to protect the sensitive skin as it recovers.
Grubb has since spoken out to warn other parents about the potential dangers of heating sensory toys. She emphasized that children often experiment without understanding the risks and urged families to talk openly about household safety, especially when viral trends are involved.
Fox News Digital reached out to the manufacturer of NeeDoh and the Loyola Burn Center for comment, but responses were not immediately available.
