As respiratory illnesses continue circulating among children this winter, medical staff at Shriners Children’s Boston are seeing a concerning trend: a rise in serious burns caused by homemade humidifiers using boiling water.

Nurses at the pediatric hospital that specializes in burn care report treating multiple children this season for second-degree burns after pots of boiling water were used in bedrooms to ease congestion and cold symptoms.

“Parents are trying to help their children breathe easier, and their intentions are good,” Shriners Children’s Boston Nurse Practitioner Melissa DiPiro, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC/AC, said. “But placing an open pot of boiling water in a child’s room is extremely dangerous. It only takes a second for a child to trip, lean, or reach too close.”

DiPiro says she has treated four to five pediatric patients this cold and flu season alone with second-degree burns tied to at-home steam remedies. Many of these burns require two to four weeks to heal and can become more severe when substances like menthol or herbal additives are mixed into the water, which can make the water more oily and lead to deeper burns.

“We’ve seen a variety of injuries associated with these DIY humidifiers, including children accidentally knocking into them,” explained DiPiro. “We’ve seen a wide range from 3-year-olds to middle school-aged children come in with these injuries.”

While steam inhalation has been passed down for generations, DiPiro notes social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube have recently amplified these do-it-yourself remedies as quick “hacks” for congestion relief. DiPiro recommends using the following guidelines to safely ease your child’s flu or respiratory illness symptoms.

Shriners Children’s Boston recommends:

• Avoiding any home remedy involving boiling water

• Use store-bought cool-mist humidifiers instead of hot steam

• Keep hot liquids out of reach of children at all times

If a Burn Occurs:

• Immediately run the burn under cool (not cold) water

• Do not apply oils, butter, or ointments

• Seek emergency medical care promptly

• Never use ice on a burn

Shriners Children’s improves the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, conducting innovative research, and offering outstanding education programs for medical professionals. Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care, regardless of the families’ ability to pay or insurance status, and receive all care and services in a compassionate, family-centered environment. For more information, please visit shrinerschildrens.org.