Warning over sick new "salt and ice" challenge sweeping schools which causes horrific burns and permanent scars

The craze, which swept the US before becoming popular in the UK, sees kids put ice onto a layer of salt on their skin, sparking a burning reaction similar to frostbite.

One schoolboy from Swansea was left so badly burnt after doing the challenge that doctors considered giving him a skin graft.

His mum has warned others about the dangers of the craze and said: “It is so deep that it has burnt all the nerve endings."

“It is like severe frostbite. It could have gone septic and caused organ failure. He is looking a bit sheepish now.”

A mother from Fife also shared a picture of the “permanent scars” her daughter suffered after trying the challenge

Doctors decided against giving the boy a skin graft because he still had full movement in his hand.

“At first I thought it was a cut so I took him to the minor injuries unit and it was treated as such,” she said.

“Then when I realised what had happened and it was a burn he was taken to the burns unit.

“The consultant said he had never seen an ice cube do this much damage.”