Chroming is a dangerous practice that involves inhaling chemicals from household products like spray paint, solvents, and deodorants to achieve a quick and intense high. This trend has recently resurfaced on social media platforms, raising concerns among health professionals and parents.
The health effects of chroming can appear quickly and include dizziness, irregular heartbeats, and respiratory problems. Prolonged use is linked to organ damage, addiction, and even sudden death, making early recognition of the problem essential.
Recent data show a rise in inhalant abuse among adolescents, with many cases linked to viral challenges and unsupervised access to hazardous products. Experts warn that recognizing symptoms like chemical odors, stains on clothing, or sudden behavioral changes can be critical for preventing fatal outcomes.
How chroming works
Chroming is the practice of inhaling hydrocarbons, which can be found in products like nail polish remover, petrol, paint thinners, spray paint, permanent markers, lighter fluid or deodorants.
A change in mental state can be achieved in a variety of ways, like soaking a cloth in the substance and inhaling, placing the substance in a plastic bag and inhaling it, or inhaling the substance directly from its container.
The chemicals found in these products (e.g. acetone, toluene, butane or petroleum) enter the lungs through inhalation and are absorbed into the bloodstream, where they reach the brain and lead to an immediate high. Prolonged abuse of chroming can lead to tolerance to these chemicals over time, meaning that inhaling even more of the substance is needed to achieve a high.
Social media trends
Chroming and inhalant abuse has been prevalent for decades, however it has recently reemerged and has gained popularity due to videos of this practice posted to social media.
Videos of teens and young adults inhaling harmful substances are commonly tagged with #chromingchallenge or #chroming. A study completed in 2024 by the American Academy of Pediatrics showed that 100 TikTok videos associated with this challenge had garnered over 25 million views.
Statistical data on chroming
Recent data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) showed that 7.2% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 reported trying inhalants at least once in 2024, with a marked increase in social media-driven experimentation. The majority of new users were under the age of 15, with males and females affected equally.
SAMHSA also noted that hospital admissions for acute inhalant toxicity have risen by 18% in the past year, highlighting the growing public health concern.
Warning signs of chroming
Recognizing the signs of chroming is essential for timely intervention. These signs can be physical or behavioral and may be noticed at home, at school or by peers.
Physical symptoms
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Chemical odors on breath or clothing
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Paint or stains on face, hands or clothing
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Frequent headaches, nausea or vomiting
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Red, runny eyes or nose
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Persistent coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath
Behavioral changes
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Sudden changes in peer groups
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Decline in school performance
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Unexplained irritability, fatigue or apathy
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Secretive behavior and spending long periods alone
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Missing household items that could contain inhalants
Detection methods
Parents and caregivers may notice missing or empty containers of aerosol products, rags with chemical odors, or plastic bags hidden in bedrooms or backpacks. Unexplained stains and chemical odors in living spaces can also be warning signs.
Negative effects of chroming
Chroming can lead to immediate effects like a sense of euphoria, dizziness and a headache.. The substances themselves can be irritating to the airways and also cause respiratory symptoms like coughing, sneezing and a runny nose.
Persistent abuse of inhalants can also lead to:
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Short-term effects, like central nervous system depression, seizures, abnormal heart functioning, tolerance and disorientation
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Long-term effects, like addiction, brain damage, liver and kidney damage, dementia, cardiac failure and even sudden death.
Due to dependence and addiction, long-term chroming can also have a social impact and lead to strained family relationships, an overall decrease in mental health, academic decline and ongoing feelings of shame or guilt.
Prevention measures
Preventing chroming requires a combination of environmental strategies, communication, and education.
1. Parent and caregiver guidance
Parents are encouraged to have ongoing, age-appropriate conversations about the dangers of inhalant use. Research shows that clear and consistent messages reduce risk behaviors in adolescents. Conversations should emphasize the health risks, legal consequences and social harms of chroming.
2. Household product security
Household products that can be misused should be stored securely. Parents and caregivers can lock cabinets, monitor chemical supplies and consider purchasing products without inhalable propellants when possible.
3. Community and school interventions
Community programs and school-based education that address substance abuse risks and coping strategies can reduce inhalant use. Regular training of teachers and staff in recognizing early signs of use is recommended.
Emergency response
The effects of chroming should be immediately assessed by a doctor in a hospital setting. The doctor will start by evaluating the patient’s health status through an ECG (to check heart function), a chest x-ray (to check for respiratory symptoms) and blood work (to ensure adequate oxygen and electrolyte levels).
When to seek medical help
Seek emergency medical care if a person who has been chroming shows confusion, seizures, breathing difficulties, chest pain, fainting or loss of consciousness. Early intervention can reduce the risk of fatal outcomes.
Immediate treatment protocols
To treat chroming symptoms, the doctor will monitor the patient with the aim of supporting any presenting symptoms. Medications like diazepam can be administered IV to manage any behavioral disturbances or seizures, and oxygen may be indicated for patients in respiratory distress.
The chemicals in inhalants can quickly enter the bloodstream through the lungs, leading to an immediate effect on the brain. Users often report feelings of euphoria, dizziness, or hallucinations. However, these effects are short-lived, leading some individuals to engage in repeated inhalation to prolong the experience.
The doctor will also perform a risk assessment to determine the risk for repeat ingestion or self-harm, as an addiction to chroming may require ongoing mental health interventions. Substance abuse disorder can be treated in an inpatient or outpatient basis with extensive behavioral therapy.
Sources used (AMA format)
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings. NSDUH Series H‑59, HHS Publication No. PEP25-07-01-006; 2025.
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National Institute on Drug Abuse. Inhalants Research Report: Signs of Inhalant Use. National Institutes of Health; 2024.
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Bhaskar S. What Is Chroming, and How Can You Protect Your Kids from This Dangerous Trend? St Louis Child Hosp Pulse. 2025 Apr 15.
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American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Substance Abuse. Inhalant abuse. Pediatrics. 2007;119(5):1009-1017.
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Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Preventing Inhalant Misuse Among Children and Teens. Health Resources in Action; 2024.
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Medscape Reference. Inhalants Treatment & Management. Emergency Department and Prehospital Care Guidelines; 2025.