Cincinnati Children's Blog
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Blog
  • Healthy Living
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Heart Conditions
  • Learning and Growing
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Y&H Podcast
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us
HOME/Safety and Prevention/Parents: Talk to your kids about the cinnamon challenge

Parents: Talk to your kids about the cinnamon challenge

Parents: Talk to your kids about the cinnamon challenge
July 29, 2013
Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT
1 Comments

By now you’ve probably heard of the so-called cinnamon challenge.  It’s been around for a long time, but has grown in popularity due to videos posted on YouTube. And while it may seem fairly innocent, it has the potential to be quite dangerous.

The challenge – swallowing an entire tablespoon of cinnamon in 60 seconds without water – is not as easy as it sounds. In fact, it’s nearly impossible. The cinnamon blocks the glands that produce saliva, drying the mouth and evoking the participant to intensely cough, choke, and sometimes vomit.  Even more concerning is the risk to the lungs when the cinnamon is inhaled.  Cinnamon contains cellulose fibers that cannot be absorbed by the lungs, causing inflammation or worse, pneumonia. There have even been some cases of collapsed lungs as a result of attempting the challenge.  At the Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC) at Cincinnati Children’s, we have received 15 calls related to the cinnamon challenge, 11 of these occurring in 2012. While that number doesn’t seem like a lot, it’s an indication that the challenge is continuing to happen.

Underscoring the dangers, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently published an article detailing the challenge’s harmful effects.

Teens are the most likely age group to participate in this challenge. Cases reported to the Drug and Poison Information Center at Cincinnati Children’s included participants ranging in age from 12 years to 37 years old, with the majority of cases involving teenagers.  While everyone of all ages should ‘just say no’ to the challenge, people with asthma or other respiratory illnesses should especially steer clear, as it can trigger an asthma attack and cause shortness of breath.  Asthmatics have a more reactive airway and are at greater risk for developing more serious respiratory problems.

So what should you do?  Talk to your kids and teens about the harmful consequences of the cinnamon challenge. Let them know that while it seems like a simple, innocent challenge, it is not.  Listening to your child and keeping the lines of communication open can go a long way in helping to combat peer pressures.

If your teen is around someone else that participates in the challenge, teach him or her to keep a watchful eye on the participant.  If the participant has any symptoms, call your local poison center at 1-800-222-1222.  An expert will answer questions and can walk them through the appropriate treatment.  If the participant has severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing or collapses, dial 911 right away.

 

*** Photo provided by www.freedigitalphotos.net

Related Articles

Social Media: What Effect Is It Having on Kids?
Social Media: What Effect Is It Having on Kids?
Are Protein Powders, Drinks and Bars Safe for Teens?
Are Protein Powders, Drinks and Bars Safe for Teens?
Parents of Teens: 8 Facts To Know About Nicotine and E-Cigarettes
Parents of Teens: 8 Facts To Know About Nicotine and E-Cigarettes
Spring Cleaning? Keep These Safety Precautions In Mind
Spring Cleaning? Keep These Safety Precautions In Mind
TAGS:
  • drug and poison control
  • emergency medicine
  • teen health

About the author: Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, D.ABAT

Sheila Goertemoeller, PharmD, DABAT, ICPS, is a pharmacist and clinical toxicologist. She has more than 20 years of experience at the Drug and Poison Information Center Hotline at Cincinnati Children’s.

Write A Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

Patricia Klein July 31, 2013 at 11:01 am

Thanks for publishing this article – this is great information!

Topics

  • Cancer and Blood Diseases
  • Child Development and Behavior
  • Childhood Obesity
  • Chronic Care Networks
  • Cincinnati Walks for Kids
  • Featured Faces
  • Fetal Conditions
  • Fitness and Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • Ghana 2012
  • Health Care Public Policy
  • Health Care Quality
  • Health Care Reform
  • Healthy Living
  • Heart Conditions
  • Hospital Operations
  • Learning and Growing
  • Nurses Week 2012
  • Patient Family Experience
  • Patient Flow
  • Patient Safety
  • Pin of the Week
  • Rare and Complex Conditions
  • Research and Discoveries
  • Safety and Prevention
  • Share Your Story
  • Technology
  • The Young & Healthy Podcast
  • Uncategorized
  • Vaccines
  • Volunteerism
  • What's New
See All Topics
See Less Topics

Subscribe

Subscribe today to our family newsletter for tips, blog posts, podcasts and more.

Subscribe Now

Popular Posts

About

The Cincinnati Children’s blog features thoughts and perspectives from our experts on all things pediatric health. This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn More »

Contact Us
  • 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
  • 1-513-636-4200 | 1-800-344-2462
  • TTY: 1-513-636-4900
  • socialmedia@cchmc.org
Connect With Us
  • Newsletter Subscribe
  • CincinnatiChildrens.org
  • Contact Us

© 2009-2025 Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center