Author: Hamish Mackay BBC News
The online trend of using miniature magnets as fake tongue piercings has led the NHS to call for people to ban them when they are swallowed.
Ingesting more than one of these may be life-threatening and cause major damage within a few hours.
In the UK, 65 children in the past three years have needed emergency surgery for swallowing magnets.
The NHS issued a patient safety alert earlier this month and is now calling for a ban on the use of small metal balls.
It said that "neodymium or'super strong' rare earth magnets are sold as toys, decorations and fake perforations and are becoming more and more popular."
It added that, unlike traditional magnets, "these'super strong' magnets are small in size, but strong in magnetism and are easy to swallow."
Online trends have seen people place two such magnets on both sides of their tongues to create the illusion that the imaginary piercing is real.
But when swallowed accidentally, the small magnetic ball bearings will be squeezed together in the intestine or intestine, squeezing the tissues, thereby cutting off the blood supply.
Professor Simon Kenny, the National Clinical Director and Pediatric Surgeon for Children and Young People of England’s National Health Service (NHS), said accidentally swallowing them can cause "long-term physical problems and internal scars."
He said: “For children or their parents, there is no fun to use surgery to remove magnets that are swallowed and stuck together through different parts of the intestine.”
"I would urge parents to be aware of the dangers associated with magnetic toys, but in the end, the only way we can prevent future accidents is to stop selling these items altogether."
According to the NHS, as teenagers use magnets to make videos on social media, the number of older children in hospital has increased.
Unlike traditional magnets, magnets used for this type of technique are less than 6 mm in diameter and can easily be swallowed.
Natasha Crooks of the British Toy and Hobby Association said: "BTHA believes that the law should be changed to classify these types of products as toys, so they must comply with strict toy safety regulations.
"This will mean a design change to ensure that the magnet is covered by a housing that is too large to swallow."
The NHS cited the case of an 18-month-old twin who had recently ingested magnets, which were toys bought for their siblings.
Scans revealed that one of the twins swallowed 23 of them and formed a ring in his intestines, requiring emergency surgery at Cambridge Addenbrooke Hospital.
Another child swallowed four and needed keyhole surgery to remove them.
Both boys have since recovered.
The NHS has urged people not to wait for symptoms after swallowing magnets, and said they should seek help from A&E immediately.
Call for the establishment of a surgical center to solve the NHS backlog
The fossil fuel industry has the largest delegation at COP26
A study shared with the BBC shows that there are more participants than any other country.
As winter approaches, Afghans face "hell on earth"
Victim named police investigating American holiday obsession
The reopening of the U.S. border brings the long-awaited reunion
The TikTok video humanizes cocaine workers in Colombia. Video TikTok video humanizes cocaine workers in Colombia
Space telescope inspired by lobster. Video space telescope inspired by lobster
How humble batteries can help save the world
A movie about the god of Indian motorcycles goes to glory
Can the United States solve the shortage of 80,000 truck drivers?
Unexpected industry that can save the planet
Instagram: a blessing or a curse?
Make the life of the BBC in the 50C season. Videos let the BBC live in the 50C season
15 words from all over the world
© 2021 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. Read our external link method.