(WVEC) -- Health officials are stepping in after thousands of people attempted social media challenges that encouraged them to harm themselves.
Just a few of these challenges include inhaling alcohol rather than drinking it and of course, eating Tide Pods.
“It’s dangerous and silly,” said Virginia Beach EMS Chief Bruce Nedelka.
When asked about the trend of individuals inhaling alcohol to get drunk quicker, Nedelka said it can cause a lot of health problems.
“Things that are inhaled are generally absorbed by the body faster than just ingested,” said Nedelka. “So anything like that can cause some very rapid and potentially permanent problems.”
Nedelka also repudiated the trend of individuals attempting to eat Tide Pods.
“You have the same chemicals that will remove grease and oil and food and blood from clothes,” said Nedelka. “You take that internally, it’s definitely going to do severe damage, it can burn your esophagus, burn your stomach.”
The American Association of Poison Control Centers also issued a high alert, stating there were record numbers of 13 to 19-year-olds eating detergent. In the first three weeks of 2018, there were 86 incidents reported.
“It’s not meant to eat, it’s not meant to ingest,” warned Nedelka. “It’s meant to clean dirt and filth and grime out of clothes,”
13NewsNow spoke with students at Old Dominion University to find out why some individuals found eating laundry detergent appealing.
“They just want to be noticed by other peers,” said student Alex Morales-Cardoso.
Student Amber Sandoval said she thought the Tide Pod challenge was dumb.
“They want people to like them and think that they’re cool because they do stupid things like that,” said Sandoval. “Does it work? No, no everyone just laughs at them and then they’re like, ‘oh no I’m getting hurt.’”
However, student, Jonathan Young said he understood why some of his peers would try the challenge.
“That’s obviously a very stupid idea but at the same time, if it gets views then people make money and as long as they don’t kill themselves I suppose there’s nothing wrong with that right?”
From a health standpoint, Nedelka strongly disagrees and said the challenges can literally kill someone.