This Little Girl Got Third-Degree Burns Making Homemade Slime

RELATED: ‘I Got Zero Paid Leave After Having A Baby—Here’s What That Was Like’

Borax, a natural mineral also known as sodium tetraborate, is a common ingredient in laundry detergent and cleaning products. Experts say it can cause serious burns if it’s not properly diluted.

Joshua Zeichner M.D., the Director of Cosmetic Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, says: “Borax is not designed for contact with the skin. Extended contact can cause a chemical burn to the skin, in which the outer skin layer is disrupted, leading to significant irritation and inflammation. Children may be at particular risk because their skin is thinner than that of adults.”

RELATED: This Mom Says She Regrets Breastfeeding Her Baby—Here’s Why

Zeichner advises seeking help straight away if your child experiences burn symptoms. “Any time a blistering burn develops in the skin, professional attention should be given,” he says. “Deep burns can lead to infections or permanent scars if not properly treated.”

To avoid the possibility of burns, try sourcing a Borax-free recipe if your kids want to get in on the homemade slime craze. Plenty are available online.

Kathleen’s parents told the TODAY show that they want to spread the word about the potential dangers of Borax. “I thought it was laundry detergent. I didn’t think it was that bad,” mom Siobhan Quinn said. Kathleen is currently healing well, but may require surgery if the current treatment doesn’t work. Here’s hoping she fully recovers soon.