The potential dangers of instant noodles: Surge in school holiday hospital visits forces doctors to raise alarms
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Instant noodles are a popular snack for many people—it’s convenient to prepare and tasty, and you can find them almost everywhere. For some, they are a quick and easy solution to hunger pangs, especially considering their affordability.
However, doctors warn of the potential dangers associated with the snack following an uptick in hospitalisations.
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead has seen an increase in patients with most of them sent to the hospital because of instant noodles.
Last September, ten children were treated for scald burns, with one of them sustaining 1.5-degree burns to their torso and thigh. Doctors claimed the burns could have been worse for this child had their mum not contained the scalds with cool running water.
According to the Head of the Burns Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Dr Torey Lawrence, children have a high risk for these kinds of burns due to their comparatively thinner skin.
‘Boiling water in hot noodle containers can take an hour to cool down to a safe temperature after cooking,’ he said. ‘This means accidents like spilling the hot water of instant noodles can cause long-lasting injuries and life-long scarring for children.’
He continued: ‘It is important to remember hot food and drink that may be a good temperature for an adult can cause a significant burn to a child. Children’s skin is comparatively thinner than adults, and even a small amount of hot liquid can cause deeper, more extensive, and more severe burns.’
Common injury sites include the thighs and genital areas when children accidentally spill the noodles while carrying the cup or eating on their laps.
They also warned that younger children, like toddlers, could be at risk, too. They may unknowingly pull the container down from a table or a kitchen bench when instant noodles are left to cool.
Dr Lawrence advised that close adult supervision is the best preventive measure for any harmful accidents caused by instant noodles.
‘Simple measures such as always having an adult remove the container from the microwave, draining the hot water from the noodles before serving, ensuring children eat noodles at the table instead of on their lap, and using non-stick placemats can make a huge difference,’ he explained.
Let’s not forget that while health officials raise the alarm for children, they’re not the only ones at risk. Seniors who consume instant noodles are at risk, too.
According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, older people are vulnerable to burn injuries as their skin is also thinner and more prone to tearing.
Seniors also have a lower perception of heat, and they may not be as quick to move themselves away from a heat source.
While scald burns from showering and bathing are the most common among adults aged 80 years and above, it is still important to be careful around other heat sources, like instant noodles.
If someone sustained burns from the mentioned snack—or any other sources—it is recommended to immediately provide first aid to reduce the severity of the injury.
This includes placing the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes and removing clothing or jewellery around the affected areas.
People should also avoid ice, iced water, cream, gel, toothpaste or butter. Doctors advised that cool running water is enough as first aid treatment.
For severe burns or if it involves the person’s airway or breathing, call triple zero (000).
You can check out St. John Ambulance Australia’s First Aid Fact Sheet for Burn or scald here.
You can also watch this video for burn first aid tips:
Members, it’s important to maintain vigilance when cooking hot food and drinks. If you have grandchildren living with you, it’s best to ensure they are given adult supervision when handling food.
What do you think of this story, members? Do you eat instant noodles? Let us know in the comments below!
However, doctors warn of the potential dangers associated with the snack following an uptick in hospitalisations.
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead has seen an increase in patients with most of them sent to the hospital because of instant noodles.
Last September, ten children were treated for scald burns, with one of them sustaining 1.5-degree burns to their torso and thigh. Doctors claimed the burns could have been worse for this child had their mum not contained the scalds with cool running water.
Ten children were treated for scald burns at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead last September. Credit: Erik Mclean/Pexels
According to the Head of the Burns Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Dr Torey Lawrence, children have a high risk for these kinds of burns due to their comparatively thinner skin.
‘Boiling water in hot noodle containers can take an hour to cool down to a safe temperature after cooking,’ he said. ‘This means accidents like spilling the hot water of instant noodles can cause long-lasting injuries and life-long scarring for children.’
He continued: ‘It is important to remember hot food and drink that may be a good temperature for an adult can cause a significant burn to a child. Children’s skin is comparatively thinner than adults, and even a small amount of hot liquid can cause deeper, more extensive, and more severe burns.’
Common injury sites include the thighs and genital areas when children accidentally spill the noodles while carrying the cup or eating on their laps.
They also warned that younger children, like toddlers, could be at risk, too. They may unknowingly pull the container down from a table or a kitchen bench when instant noodles are left to cool.
Dr Lawrence advised that close adult supervision is the best preventive measure for any harmful accidents caused by instant noodles.
‘Simple measures such as always having an adult remove the container from the microwave, draining the hot water from the noodles before serving, ensuring children eat noodles at the table instead of on their lap, and using non-stick placemats can make a huge difference,’ he explained.
Let’s not forget that while health officials raise the alarm for children, they’re not the only ones at risk. Seniors who consume instant noodles are at risk, too.
According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, older people are vulnerable to burn injuries as their skin is also thinner and more prone to tearing.
Seniors also have a lower perception of heat, and they may not be as quick to move themselves away from a heat source.
While scald burns from showering and bathing are the most common among adults aged 80 years and above, it is still important to be careful around other heat sources, like instant noodles.
If someone sustained burns from the mentioned snack—or any other sources—it is recommended to immediately provide first aid to reduce the severity of the injury.
This includes placing the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes and removing clothing or jewellery around the affected areas.
People should also avoid ice, iced water, cream, gel, toothpaste or butter. Doctors advised that cool running water is enough as first aid treatment.
For severe burns or if it involves the person’s airway or breathing, call triple zero (000).
You can check out St. John Ambulance Australia’s First Aid Fact Sheet for Burn or scald here.
You can also watch this video for burn first aid tips:
Members, it’s important to maintain vigilance when cooking hot food and drinks. If you have grandchildren living with you, it’s best to ensure they are given adult supervision when handling food.
What do you think of this story, members? Do you eat instant noodles? Let us know in the comments below!
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