Is homemade slime safe? Borax burns, rashes, and ingestion
:format(webp))
The bottom line
Slime is a stretchy, colorful material often made of water, glue, and borax. However, recipes vary. Slime can be store-bought or homemade. If swallowed, stomachache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and intestinal blockage can occur. Skin reactions that can occur include redness, itching, and dermatitis as well as blisters and burns due to borax.
Prevention tips
Supervise your children while they are playing with slime.
Buy nontoxic slime products.
For homemade slime, use alternatives to borax such as cornstarch, dish soap, or baking soda plus contact lens solution.
Wash hands with soap and water before and after playing with slime.
Play on clean, smooth surfaces.
Be sure your child knows that slime is not food.
Store in an airtight container away from heat.
Stop using slime if skin irritation, redness, or burning occurs.
This really happened
An 11-year-old girl developed contact dermatitis after a year of playing with homemade slime. She experienced redness and warmth, small fluid-filled blisters, and open sores on the backs of 6 fingers. She was told to stop handling the slime. She was treated with moisturizing cream and a prescription steroid cream. Her skin improved markedly within 25 days.
Poisoned? Get expert help.
Don't guess what you should do. Get accurate answers online or by phone. Both ways are free and confidential.
OR
call 1-800-222-1222
What is slime made of?
Slime is a colorful toy that you can squeeze, pull, and stretch. Slime is usually made of water, glue, and borax. White glue contains a polymer (such as polyvinyl acetate or polyvinyl alcohol). Borax (or boric acid or sodium borate) acts as an activator that connects the polymer chains in glue together in a process called cross-linking. Baking soda may be added to control the pH of the mixture. Recipes can vary and may include dyes, shampoos, soap, cornstarch, laundry detergent, contact lens solution, and body lotion.
Is slime toxic?
Slime’s toxicity depends on the product. There are commercially available slime products that are labeled as nontoxic. However, slime that contains high levels of borax, glues, and detergents can cause toxicity.
What to do if a child eats slime or gets a rash from it
If your child eats slime, wipe out their mouth with a damp cloth and give your child something to drink. If it is a product labeled as nontoxic, it is unlikely to be a problem. If it is a homemade recipe, toxicity is possible. If your child develops a rash, take the slime away and wash the skin with soap and water. Pat dry and apply a moisturizer. If the skin is red or irritated, nonprescription hydrocortisone cream may help. If the rash is severe, does not improve in a few days, or the skin looks infected, seek medical attention.
Get expert help
If a child eats slime, gets slime in the eyes, or develops a rash after playing with slime, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
Is the borax in slime dangerous?
Yes, it can be dangerous. The toxic chemical in borax is boron. High levels of boron can cause digestive system upset, irritation or burns to the skin, as well as eye and airway irritation.
Can homemade slime burn your skin?
Yes, if the concentration of borax is high, slime can cause burns and blisters on the skin, especially if it stays on the skin for a long time. Other skin reactions include redness, itching, and dermatitis.
What happens if a child eats slime?
If the slime is a commercial product labeled as nontoxic, then symptoms are unlikely. If it is a homemade product, your child may experience toxicity due to borax and other ingredients.
Symptoms of swallowing slime
Symptoms include stomachache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Depending on the amount swallowed, there is a risk of blockage in the intestines.