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What is condom snorting – and just how dangerous is it?

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There’s a new, viral trend spreading across the Internet that’s got teens stuffing condoms up their noses and pulling them out through their mouths. It’s called condom snorting.

Yes, it’s a real thing. And, yes, it’s really dangerous.

Thousands of videos have surfaced on YouTube recently of people participating in the challenge that experts say can “damage the sensitive inner lining of your nose”, per Forbes.

Read more: 5 ways to make sex with condoms feel so much better

Here’s the lowdown on the condom snorting challenge:

For whatever reason, people (mostly teens) have decided sticking a condom up their nose and pulling it out through their mouth is a fun way to pass the time. They film the entire thing and post it to social platforms.

Read more: 11 women share their best lines for guys who refuse to wear condoms

And this isn’t a niche thing that only a few people watch – the most popular clips get thousands and thousands of views.

It should be noted that this condom snorting trend is different than the viral 2015 “condom challenge” which had people filling condoms with water and dropping them on their heads.

It started a few years ago

The challenge goes all the way back to 2007, according to a 2013 ABC News article, and kids around the world have taken an interest in condom snorting.

Snorting condoms is seriously dangerous (and painful!)

Dr Bruce Lee, a Forbes contributor and associate professor of international health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, wrote in a recent column that only things like nasal sprays should be put up your nose and “only when your doctor recommends them and there is a true medical indication.”

He wrote, “Otherwise, anything else that goes up your nose can damage the sensitive inner lining of your nose, cause an allergic reaction, or result in an infection.”

Read more: 5 sex moves you shouldn’t try at home – or anywhere – ever

Even without messing up your nasal lining, Dr Lee added that the condom can easily get lodged in the nose or throat, blocking breathing and possibly causing a person to choke.

“Even if you manage to successfully pull the condom out through your mouth, inhaling a condom up your nose would be very uncomfortable and potentially quite painful,” he writes.

In other words, it’s probably not worth the likes.

Image credit: iStock

This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com  

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