Experts Warn Arizona Parents: Watch Out for This Frightening Trend

I don't mean to sound like a fist-shaking old person here, but I long for the days when our peers would double-dog-dare us to swallow a goldfish. I even pine for something equally gross but certainly not lethal.

You can't go a week without social media getting into our kids' heads with some ridiculous "challenge" meant to earn the creator views and clicks. These "internet dares" can land our children in the hospital. Or worse.

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What is the Sleepy Chicken Challenge?

Experts are warning Arizona parents about a dangerous trend that’s been making the rounds on social media: the Sleepy Chicken Challenge.

READ: Alert! A Highly Contagious Virus is on the Move in Arizona!

This "challenge" involves cooking chicken in a mixture of cough syrup and other medications, like NyQuil. It sounds bizarre, and as you can probably guess, it’s really dangerous.

Obviously, NyQuil is not a seasoning. I can't even begin to imagine what kind of person thought this nightmare up, but I'll state this outright: cooking chicken (or ANYTHING) in NyQuil can lead to serious health risks. 

The FDA warning goes back a few years, but this dangerous trend is making the rounds again.

Why You Should Never Cook Anything in NyQuil

According to the FDA, you should never attempt to cook with NyQuil because:

...heating up the medication...can release toxic fumes that you might inhale, which can cause respiratory issues and even damage your lungs. Plus, the chicken absorbs a concentrated amount of the medication, which means eating it is like consuming a large dose of NyQuil all at once.

This can lead to severe side effects like dizziness, nausea, and even overdose.

The "Sleepy Chicken Challenge" in Arizona

Thankfully, there have been no specific reports of injuries from this challenge in Arizona. Still, the FDA is issuing warnings to parents and caregivers about the dangers of this trend. It’s important to spread the word and ensure people understand exactly how risky it is.

READ: Deadly Outbreak. Recall for This Item Sold in Arizona

There's often a misconception that over-the-counter medications, like NyQuil, are safe. When used appropriately and in the correct dosage, they pose little risk.

Misuse and abuse can lead to severe consequences. Opening a conversation with children and teens about the dangers of these internet challenges can help kids understand that they're not entertaining; they can have harmful or lethal consequences.

Sources: Today | Newsweek | stopmedicineabuse.org | FDA.gov