Published: July 10, 2025
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Inhalant abuse has been a deadly problem for generations, but it has received a new boost of exposure through dangerous social media challenges.
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The “chroming” trend gets its name from metallic spray paint, but other household chemicals can be just as dangerous — nail polish remover, paint thinners, permanent marker, spray deodorant, lighter fluid and certain types of glue all can carry risks of inhalant abuse. About 4% of eighth grade students reported using inhalants, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The initial effects of inhaling solvents last a few hours or more and can be similar to drinking alcohol, with feelings of warmth and excitement sometimes accompanied by light-headedness, distorted vision and distorting thinking, according to the NIH. Inhaling chemicals also can cause drowsiness, headaches, numbness and loss of consciousness.
Inhalant use, even just once, can lead to irregular and rabid heart rhythms that cause heart failure within minutes. Inhaling solvents also can cause you to stop breathing.
Long-term abuse of inhalants can damage the brain and other parts of the nervous system, causing permanent impairment to your ability to think, move, see and hear. Memory, attention and judgment problems also can be chronic effects of long-term abuse.
Regular use of inhalants can lead to a dependency quickly. Using it becomes more important than anything, and with a built-up tolerance it takes more and more of the fumes to have the same effect.
The 2023 death of 13-year-old Australian girl Esra Haynes brought worldwide attention to the dangerous trend, sometimes called the “chroming challenge.” Others have died as well from “sudden sniffing death syndrome.”
“Protecting kids from these toxic chemicals can be difficult since we use them regularly around the house,” said Heather M. Felton, M.D., a pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical Group. “If there’s anything you don’t need or don’t use often, consider disposing of it or locking it in a cabinet.”
Often, kids are driven to risky practices like chroming as a self-medication effort to combat depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns.
“Keep an open line of communication with your kids. Be empathetic, avoid yes-no questions and listen without interrupting, jumping to conclusions or losing your temper,” Dr. Felton said. “Calmly make sure they know the potential effects of substance use and that some kids have died. Your job is to make sure they have the facts to make safe decisions.”
The Kentucky Poison Control Center of Norton Children’s Hospital [GA1] [GA2] is staffed 24 hours a day by nurses, pharmacists and physicians specially trained in clinical toxicology. Call (800) 222-1222.