ER Doctor Warns the Dangerous New "Hot Water Challenge" Can Cause Near-Fatal Burns

There's a new alarming teen challenge circulating around the internet, and it's possibly even more frightening than some challenges in the past. Known as "The Hot Water Challenge" on YouTube, the trend requires kids to drink boiling water through a straw or pour a bucket of it on someone while capturing it on video — and as you can surmise, the process is extremely dangerous.

Kyland Clark, a 15-year-old from Indianapolis, IN, learned how harmful the challenge could be firsthand after a friend poured hot water on Kyland while he was asleep. The "prank" left Kyland with second-degree burns on his face, back, and chest and landed him in the hospital for an entire week.

"When I came to my senses, the water got hot and I just got up and ripped my shirt off," Kyland told NBC. "I looked down at my chest and my skin just fell off my chest and then I went and looked in a mirror and I had skin falling off right here and on my face."

Dr. Ed Bartkus, the EMS director at Clarian Methodist Hospital in Indiana, told WXIN that no one should attempt either drinking boiling water through a straw or pouring it on someone under any circumstances. "It's suggesting to people that they can try it and they won't be hurt, but they will be. I can guarantee it," Dr. Bartkus said. He added, "If your friends are telling you to do this, they are not good friends."

Although Kyland is expected to make a full recovery, others haven't been so lucky. Last year, an 8-year-old girl in Florida passed away due to complications from drinking boiling water through a straw.

"There's a limit to what you should do in a challenge and what you shouldn't do," said Kyland. "Don't take it overboard."