Salt and ice challenge

Scarring as a result of the salt and ice challenge, eleven days after performing it

The salt and ice challenge is an Internet challenge where participants pour salt on their bodies, usually on the arm, and ice is then placed on the salt.[1] This causes a "burning" sensation similar to frostbite, and participants vie to withstand the pain for the longest time. The challenge can be recorded and posted on YouTube or other forms of social media.[2]

The mixture of ice and salt create eutectic frigorific mixture which can get as cold as −18 °C (0 °F).[3]

The salt and ice challenge can quickly cause second- and third-degree injuries similar to frostbite or being burnt with the metal end of a lighter, as well as causing painful open sores to form on the skin. Due to the numbing sensation of the cold and possible nerve damage during the stunt, participants are often unaware of the extent of any injuries sustained during the challenge, only feeling pain once the salt on their skin enters lesions created during the challenge. Skin discoloration from the challenge may remain after the challenge has been attempted.[4][5][6]

  1. ^ Vang, Gia (July 29, 2012). "Experts: Don't Try 'Salt and Ice Challenge'". Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  2. ^ Kuhn, Sherri. July 5, 2012. ".The Salt and ice challenge: Don't let your teen get burned Archived 2023-06-01 at the Wayback Machine". Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  3. ^ "General Chemistry Online: FAQ: Solutions: Why isn't 0°F the lowest possible temperature for a salt/ice/water mixture?". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  4. ^ ""Ice and salt challenge" leaves 12-year-old Pittsburgh boy with second-degree burns - HealthPop". CBS News. 2012-07-02. Archived from the original on 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
  5. ^ Kwak, Janet (3 July 2012). "Ice-and-Salt Challenge Fires Up Health Officials | NBC Southern California". Nbclosangeles.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-09. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
  6. ^ "Boy, 12, badly injured in 'salt-and-ice' challenge - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Post-gazette.com. 2012-06-29. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved 2013-06-24.