"Frosties" – The viral craze leaving life long scars. What you need to know.

Samantha Kerr
3 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

What are “Frosties” and why are they causing serious harm to Aussie teens?

This viral trend—fuelled by social media dares and peer pressure—has teens spraying aerosol deodorants or air fresheners directly onto their skin until it burns. The result? Serious cold burns.

In many cases, the damage is so severe it requires hospitalisation and skin grafts.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has flagged this behaviour as a rising problem, particularly among Australian girls around the age of 13.

"Frosties" Deliberate reverse thermal burn, inflicted via spraying aersol cans at point blank range to skin.

What exactly is a "Frostie"?

“Frostie” is slang for aerosol-induced frostbite, a type of cold burn caused by the rapid evaporation of compressed gas when sprayed directly onto the skin. Common products involved include:

Deodorants
Whipped cream cans
Air fresheners

In just 20 seconds of direct spray, the skin temperature can rapidly drop to –40 °C. This causes ice crystals to form in skin tissue, leading to deep tissue damage. This isn’t a small blister—it’s often a full-thickness burn.

Why are Aussie kids doing this?

According to RACGP studies:

Most victims are adolescent girls, average age 13.
Acts often happen in groups or during dares, sometimes alone but often shared online.
The goal? A mix of social approval, curiosity, and peer pressure.

These aren’t just accidental injuries—they’re intentional acts of harm, even if they don’t start with that intent.

What do these injuries look like?

Signs and Symptoms of an Aerosol Cold Burn:

Immediate	After Thawing
White, hard, cold skin	Blistering, peeling
Redness or dark patches	Infection risk
Swelling and pain	Numbness or permanent scarring

A single, short burst can cause second or third-degree burns.

In a study of 56 Australian cases:

One-third had full-thickness burns.
10 cases needed skin grafts.
Average delay to treatment was 6 days.

Image taken from AJGP: Intentional self-inflicted and peer-inflicted aerosol skin injuries called ‘frosties’: Cohort series and systematic literature review https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2018/july/aerosol-skin-injuries

This delay means more pain, more risk, and sometimes permanent damage.

First Aid: What to do if you suspect a cold burn

Here’s what the Australian and New Zealand Burn Association (ANZBA) and RACGP recommend:

Don’t rub the area. This worsens tissue damage.
Use warm (not hot) water—around 37–40 °C—for 20 minutes.
Cover with a clean, non-stick dressing (e.g. plastic wrap or sterile cloth).
Seek medical help immediately. Don’t wait for it to blister.
Talk about it—If this was self-inflicted or part of a challenge, professional psychosocial support is essential.

What should adults do?

If you’re a parent, teacher, or youth worker:

Start the conversation early. Teens need to know these risks before it happens.
Watch for warning signs. Unexplained burns, skin discolouration, or reluctance to talk about an injury.
Educate, don’t shame. Many kids don’t understand the severity until it’s too late.
Have a stocked first aid kit with burn modules. These are available through trusted Australian providers like Assurance Training and Sales.

Image Courtesy of The New Zealand Herald https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland-mother-warns-against-the-frosty-challenge-after-son-suffers-deep-burn/5R6BQ2SJATYOMNA7GYOB43IGF4/Remember:

First Aid Kits for Burns: What should they include?

"Frostie" burns or Reverse Thermal Burns, require body temperature water to rewarm the affected area. Heat related flame and contact burns will require cool running water for a minimum of 20 minutes.

If you're supporting children or teens, be prepared. A proper burn module should include:

Burn gel dressing (non-stick, water-based cooling)
Clean wrap bandages
Gloves
Emergency contact details
Clear instructions for managing burns

Assurance First Aid Kits offer Australian Standard Compliant burn modules, tailored for schools, homes, and workplaces. Assembled in Dubbo, NSW, these are built for Aussie conditions and real-world emergencies.

Why this matters now

Social media trends move fast. But the injuries caused by “Frosties” linger. Awareness and action can prevent long-term trauma.

If your teen sees it as a game, show them the real outcomes:

Grafts
Nerve damage
Pigment loss
Scars for life

And if your organisation supports youth—like schools, sports clubs or youth centres—make sure you're stocked with the right gear and staff are trained on how to respond.