The Risks Of 'Chroming' Explained After 11-Year-Old Boy Dies Following Social Media Trend Despite Mom's Warning

The mother of an 11-year-old boy has shared a warning after her son died as a result of a social media trend known as 'chroming'.

Freddie Davis, who lived in East London, was discovered in his bedroom on January 20, 2025. He had inhaled fumes from a deodorant can, which led to his death.

His mother, Roseanne Thompson, explained that once she learned about the online trend, which involves inhaling aerosols to feel a brief high, she made the decision to stop buying spray deodorants for Freddie.

"I went into his room to wake him up," her statement read. "I opened the door and called out 'Fred' as I do most mornings."

"I could see he was lying on his front with his face down. I called Fred again. Usually by now he would have responded."

"I began to analyse his position and was thinking 'Why is he like that?'"

Freddie, 11, died from inhaling a can of deodorant spray Triangle News

"I put my hand on his shoulder and noticed he was colder than usual."

"I called out for help and said, 'I think Fred has gone'. I dialled 999 and said to the operator, 'I think my son is dead'."

Roseanne warned that 'children do not realise the dangers' and stressed that 'these things do kill people', urging other parents to speak openly with their children about the risks.

The dangers of chroming

Chroming refers to inhaling fumes through the nose or mouth, either straight from a container or from a plastic bag that has been filled with vapors from certain household products, according to pediatrician Dr. Betty Choi.

Dr. Choi told CNN that 'inhalant abuse peaked in the 1990s and was downtrending over the last two decades'.

"But in recent years, experimentation rates among teens have risen again," Dr. Choi added.

Analysis presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics conference in 2024 highlighted that 39 percent of 109 videos analysed were created by minors Getty Stock Images

"Most of these products are easy to find in homes and cheap to buy in stores. (Chroming) can become addictive when it's done over and over again."

Dr. Anthony Pizon, a professor of emergency medicine and division chief, explained that the name comes from metallic paints that can leave a chrome-colored residue after being inhaled.

He also believes that 'kids that are engaging in this activity are likely at risk of seeking more potent drugs', highlighting the broader concern around substance use.

Health risks from chroming

St. Louis Children’s Hospital states that the health risks linked to chroming include brain damage, irregular heart rhythms that can lead to cardiac arrest, long-term lung damage, and harm to major organs such as the liver and kidneys.

"The best way to approach chroming is to approach it like other dangers — an ongoing conversation over time," Choi added.

She suggested that parents address the issue directly and clearly, recommending they say: "It can permanently screw up your brain, heart and other organs. Some kids have even died the first time. I love you and want to make sure you know the facts. My job is to help you make safe decisions about your body."

164 deaths associated with inhalant misuse in Australia were reported from 2000 and 2021 Getty Stock Images

"If they feel safe and supported, they are more likely to open up and share their thoughts with you."

Ashley Martin, a public health adviser at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "There's a common misconception that fatalities from aerosols only happen in a substance abuse scenario, but this is absolutely not true."

"We have seen a number of fatalities over recent years where children and young adults have over-sprayed aerosols - from teenagers conscious of body odour, to children seeking reassurance from familiar smells."