Chroming, a dangerous trend among teenagers, has claimed another life. An Australian family was forced to make the heartbreaking choice to take their 13-year-old daughter off life support after she suffered severe brain damage from inhaling spray-on deodorant. They are now sharing their story in hopes of preventing other families from facing a similar tragedy.
Australian Teenager Dies From Dangerous Chroming Trend
Esra Haynes was described by her parents as a typical 13-year-old girl. She was athletic, serving as the captain of her netball team, a dancer, and a BMX rider. She had a wide circle of friends and was cherished by her family. During a sleepover at a friend’s house, she participated in the trend, lost consciousness, and then went into cardiac arrest. She was rushed to the hospital, where she remained on life support for a week. Ultimately, her family faced the agonizing decision to take her off life support.
A 13-year-old girl, Esra Haynes died in Australia after #chorming at a sleepover.
Esra went into cardiac arrest and was on life support for eight days when doctors said: “her brain was damaged beyond repair”. Her family then decided to turn off the machines.#EsraHaynes pic.twitter.com/ioxkdKSvKP
— Deniride (@Edirined) May 25, 2023
“She was so kind, generous, helped everyone before herself always,” remarked her sister Imogen.
Her parents, older sister, and two older brothers are utterly heartbroken by her passing. These last two weeks have been the most difficult period of their lives. Once they feel prepared, they intend to return to her school to hold an assembly for the students, addressing the risks associated with chroming.
“I just want to put awareness out there that it can happen very quickly, and we don’t want to lose any more amazing people,” stated her brother Seth.
What Is Chroming?
Chroming refers to the practice of inhaling harmful chemicals through the nose or mouth to achieve a temporary high. These substances can be found in items such as aerosol cans, paint, permanent markers, acetone, hairspray, deodorants, lighter fluid, glue, cleaning agents, or petrol, many of which contain nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas.” The term originates from the trend where individuals used to inhale chrome-based paint.
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These chemicals rapidly enter the bloodstream and reach the brain, resulting in a euphoric “high.” Users may also experience dizziness, nausea, slurred speech, blurred vision, and even loss of consciousness. The effects are comparable to those of alcohol but typically last only 45 minutes. Some users may inhale multiple substances to prolong their high.
What can chroming do to the brain and body?
The chemicals involved in chroming pose serious risks to the brain, lungs, and heart, leading to various physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, abdominal pain, seizures, memory loss, and even death. Additionally, chroming can result in long-term issues with memory, concentration, and learning, and is linked to conditions like depression and anxiety. Frequent use of this substance may cause lasting harm to the heart and lungs, including inflammation and scarring, as well as damage to bone marrow. Some of these effects can be irreversible, even after the cessation of chroming.
“All volatile substances are taken up very quickly in the brain and change the way that messages are sent around the brain,” said Doctor Jeremy Hayllar. “That can lead to loss of consciousness, so this young lad collapsed, [and] vomiting is a kind of response to things going badly wrong and later on the effects can be progressive.”
Who is most likely to participate in Chroming?
Chroming is most prevalent among teenagers and adolescents because they often have access to household items like spray deodorant or nail polish remover, which contain inhalable solvents that can provide a quick high. The trend’s popularity may also be associated with the rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, where teens are more inclined to share pictures of themselves, potentially leading to peer pressure if they feel they have nothing interesting or funny to post.
The Bottom Line
If you are a parent of young adolescents or teens, a teacher, or someone who influences young people, it’s crucial to discuss the dangers of chroming with them. “Teenagers’ lives across the world are being cut short because of this dangerous trend.” When having this conversation, highlight the risks associated with chroming and equip them with strategies to resist peer pressure they may encounter. Ensure you create a safe environment for them to ask questions and express their concerns about chroming, other drugs, peer pressure, and bullying. Providing that “secure space” could be a matter of life and death, not only for them but also for their friends.