COLUMBUS — A 4-year-old girl suffered burns to her legs, arms, and face after a NeeDoh toy was microwaved. Children are heating the NeeDoh sensory toy, which is not designed to be heated, a practice that can cause the material to burst or melt.

Emergency physician Leah Middelberg, of Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Ohio State University College of Medicine, said she became aware of these injuries earlier this year. "Microwaving or heating the products makes the gel inside extremely hot," Middelberg said. She added that it can become "hot enough to boil, leak, explode, and cause burns on contact with skin." Middelberg stated that children with burns often experience pain and need extensive medical follow-ups.

Tommy Martin, a specialist in internal medicine and pediatrics, reported that "one burn unit in Illinois said they've already treated multiple kids with this exact injury." The NeeDoh toy packaging includes warnings against heating, freezing, or leaving the product in cars. "Keep it away from microwaves, ovens, cars, direct sunlight, and if it ever ruptures and the gel touches the skin, make sure to rinse it with water immediately," Martin said. He also advised that "if the gel is extremely hot and a child gets burned, seek medical attention."

Schylling, the manufacturer of NeeDoh, has partnered with social media companies to remove content promoting misuse of the product. The company's president said that a safety warning has been included on the toy's packaging. In a podcast interview, Middelberg noted that "thanks to the internet and social media, bad ideas spread faster and wider." She emphasized that "parents should decide what online viewing is right for their family and talk with their kids about what they see online."