A recent trend on social media has seen some children vomit, sweat profusely, and have their tongues turn blue after participating in the One Chip Challenge. (Photo by Sarah Dussault/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)
DUNWOODY, Ga. – Georgia police warn parents of a social media food challenge that has left at least one student in need of medical treatment.
The Dunwoody Police Department issued a warning about the One Chip challenge after a Dunwoody High School student was injured after accepting the challenge.
The viral challenge, which originally began in 2016 as a marketing campaign by tortilla chip company Paqui, has led to bans at schools across the country. In the challenge, participants eat a single chip, which is flavored with extremely hot peppers. This year’s version includes flavors of scorpion pepper and turns the eater’s tongue blue.
The Capital City National Poison Center Poison Control has a web page dedicated to the challenge, explaining that the capsaicin in the chip can cause anything from mild mouth and throat pain to intestinal and throat irritation. In extreme cases, the chip can cause more serious problems like chest pain, palpitations, and even heart attacks. The irritation can last for hours or even days.
The Dunwoody Police Department is asking parents to “take the time to investigate this seemingly innocent challenge and the subsequent results, then sit down with your children to discuss the challenge and the reasons why they should not participate.”
Officials say the best way to get relief after the One Chip Challenge is by drinking milk. The agency also suggests that people wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water to avoid spreading capsaicin to other parts of the body.
If you do get capsaicin in your eyes, Poison Control suggests flushing them with room temperature water for 15 to 20 minutes.
Anyone with severe reactions should seek help from Poison Control online or by calling 1-800-222-1222.
Source: news.google.com