SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A growing game among kids and teens is causing a lot of pain and sometimes permanent scars. It involves a little salt, a little ice and a little time. It's called the salt and ice challenge and in the past 24 hours more than 20 videos - videos that include a lot of yelling and screaming - of the challenge have been posted to youtube.
In one recent video a couple of Utah girls find out how much it can hurt. In another, a Utah boy shows the blisters on both of his arms and warns everyone - do not try it. A message echoed by students we talked at Highland High School. Tatiana said, "It actually is really stupid. You are messing with your skin - your leaving scars that will last forever." She should know - her older siblings and friends got her to try it a few years ago. And she's not the only one. Shianne also had a personal story. "I did it when I was younger."
The challenge is simple. Pour salt into your hand or on your arm. Then put ice on it. Without going into a long science lesson, the heat is pulled out of your skin which can cause frostbite and will cause a burning sensation and a lot of pain. Leave it long enough and it won't just turn your skin red. It will blister and you will end up with a scar. Valeria says, "I think its pretty insane. I can't believe people are actually doing that to hurt yourself."
While the idea is lost on many teens. They are well aware that their peers are trying it and they say parents need to be know about it to prevent real problems. Andrea says, "I think parents should just talk to their kids - honestly, its a stupid challenge - why would you do that?"
While we don't know why and can't imagine why - a lot of kids are watching these videos. In a quick search of youtube we found that just three "Salt and Ice Challenge" videos had about two million views.
