A recent study has held instant noodles responsible for the majority of burn injuries caused by hot liquids in children. The study, which examined records of children treated for burns due to hot liquids at the University of Chicago Medicine from 2010 to 2020, found that nearly a third of these injuries were due to noodles. Results published in the journal Burns indicated that out of 790 cases of liquid burns in children, 31 percent were caused by noodles.
The study noted that a lack of supervision for children increased the risks, with around 40 percent of noodle-related burns occurring when children were alone. Commenting on the study, Sebastian Frouhi, a professor of surgery at the University of Chicago Medicine, stated that "burns from noodles are slightly less severe than some other types of burns; however, they are still dangerous and can lead to hospitalization. Sometimes, these burns require surgery and skin grafts," as reported by UPI.
Frouhi added, "The amount of heat in noodles can easily cause second and third-degree burns to anyone, but young children are at greater risk due to their relatively smaller bodies and thin skin."
