Injuries are resulting not only from the high temperature of the noodles themselves, but also from hot water spilled during preparation<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Deanna Neff HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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THURSDAY, Oct. 2, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 Doctors nationwide are issuing urgent warnings about a viral food trend inspired by the hit Netflix movie “KPop Demon Hunters” that is causing serious scalding injuries in children and teens.<\/p>\n
The trend involves youth imitating a scene from the movie by eating extremely hot instant noodles.<\/p>\n
Injuries are resulting not only from the high temperature of the noodles themselves, but also from hot water spilled during preparation.<\/p>\n
Dr. Colleen Ryan<\/a>, a burn care specialist at Shriners Children’s Boston and a professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, told CBS News<\/em> that doctors have seen a surge in cases.<\/p>\n \u201cMost of the time, it’s when the children open the microwave themselves. Microwave is usually up high, and they reach in and it’s a little too hot for them,\u201d Ryan said, noting that her clinic is now treating two to three burn cases a week linked to the noodle challenge.<\/p>\n “KPop Demon Hunters” is a top-watched animated action fantasy musical on Netflix \u2014 its music has topped the Billboard charts and the movie has emerged as something of a global phenomenon. Its fast pace and storytelling appeal to children (and their parents), according to Northeastern University Global News<\/a>.<\/p>\n The danger of scalding is particularly high for young children. At just 155 degrees Fahrenheit, water can cause a burn in an adult in one second, but kids\u2019 skin is thinner and much more delicate, making them far easier to burn, according to the American Burn Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n A University of Chicago study <\/a>found that 31% of childhood scald admissions were caused by instant noodles, and 40% of those burns happened when the child was alone making the food.<\/p>\n Beyond their immediate pain, these burns can leave lasting scars and emotional distress, Ryan said.<\/p>\n While researchers have pegged 8- to 10-year-olds as the group most easily influenced by viral trends such as the noodle challenge, Ryan noted she is seeing a wide range of ages among the kids being treated for these injuries.<\/p>\n For parents and caregivers, knowing the correct first aid is critical if a burn occurs. Ryan strongly advised: \u201c20 minutes of cool water. Then you need to call for help.\u201d This immediate cool water application can significantly reduce the severity of the injury, she said.<\/p>\n This trend serves as a reminder that what seems like harmless fun online can carry real and serious risks when involving young children, high heat and hot liquids.<\/p>\n The U.S. Fire Administration<\/a> offers these key tips for general first-aid of burns:<\/p>\n Place burn in cool water right away for three to five minutes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Cover the burn with a clean, dry cloth. Avoid creams, ointments, sprays or other home remedies.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Allow the burned area to cool and get air by removing any clothing, diapers, jewelry or metal covering the burned area.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Take the child to a doctor or call 911 if the burn is larger than the palm of a hand.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidelines on burn prevention and first aid<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n