A MUM has warned about the dangers of a new craze after her 12-year-old son was ‘blistered and burned’ and left needing hospital treatment.

The ‘salt and ice challenge’ has become an internet hit and has seen several people, mainly children, injured after taking part.

It involves salt being poured on to the skin, usually an arm or hand, before an ice cube is then placed on top.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The two substance create a chemical reaction similar to frostbite and causes a burning sensation.

The challenge is to see who can bear the pain the longest.

Police and health bosses have issued warnings about the bizarre craze, after a child in East Lancashire was hurt.

The 12-year-old Colne Primet Academy student returned home from school on Wednesday with a rectangular burn around 5cm by 3cm in size, on his left upper forearm, close to his wrist.

His mother, who asked not to be named, believes the Year 7 pupil had attempted the ‘craze’ on his way to school.

The 29-year-old said: “My son came home with his arm bandaged.

“When he told me how he had done it I was horrified.

“By the evening the area affected was blistering and looked very sore so I took him to Burnley Urgent Care Centre for it to be treated.

“We are going back for it to be monitored.

“I think it’s important to warn parents that children are doing this or being encouraged to do it by others.

“They should be aware how much damage could potentially be done.

“I couldn’t live with myself if I kept quiet and another child was more seriously injured.

“Because of where the injuries tend to be they can be easily covered up by a child.

“I don’t blame anyone else than my son for this happening but at least he was honest to me and has learned his lesson.”

Hospital bosses said they were aware of the craze and after treating the youngster in Burnley and all staff had now been briefed about how such burn injuries may have been sustained.

Dr Damian Riley, medical director at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are aware of reports of young people applying mixtures of salt and ice to their skin, however we have not seen an increase in people attending hospital with related injuries.”

PC Nigel Keates urged youngsters across East Lancashire to think before injuring themselves.

He said: “It seems several cases have cropped up and down the country in recent weeks and here we have one on our doorstep.

“The injuries from doing this could be life changing.”

The salt and ice challenge originated in the USA in 2012, but has seen a resurgence in England and Wales in recent weeks.

The chemical reaction caused by the salt and ice in combination can burn through to the bone as the nerve endings are frozen and the pain is masked by the sub zero temperatures as low as –28 degrees C.

Xavier Bowers, head teacher at Mount Carmel RC High School in Accrington said that social media had ‘many positive effects but some negative ones’.

He said: “These acts, fuelled by social media, are clearly dangerous and irresponsible.

“I would urge children to steer away from it.”