Bath time is a cherished moment for both children and their caregivers. Many of us enjoy adding a variety of bath toys to enhance the joy of this routine. However, a mother from Illinois has recently shared a serious warning about a seemingly harmless bath toy that could pose a risk of eyesight damage in children. Eden Strong was enjoying bath time with her son, Baylor when she noticed his eyes becoming irritated. Although she attempted to cleanse his eyes with water, the situation only worsened.
To her shock, Baylor was diagnosed with cellulitis, a potentially severe bacterial infection. Failure to seek treatment for this infection may result in its spread and the onset of considerable health issues. In just 12 hours, Baylor’s eye transitioned from pink to infected, and he developed a high fever.
Eden recalls, “I cried the entire way to a larger hospital, praying that he wouldn’t lose his eye.” Over the next week, the situation remained grim, as Baylor battled severe cellulitis that extended to both eyes and down his face. Medical professionals warned Eden that her son might lose vision in his more affected eye. Fortunately, with the grace of the Almighty, Baylor’s eyes eventually healed. The culprit behind his infection was traced back to a squirting bath toy.
“It later came to my attention that such toys can harbour bacteria due to the inability to fully expel water,” she remarked. Eden took it upon herself to share distressing images of her son’s infection as a cautionary tale for other parents. Her post quickly garnered the attention of over 322,000 people and reached millions more. Other concerned parents also shared pictures of their children facing similar issues. Eden Strong fervently hopes that manufacturers will take this matter seriously when producing similar toys in the future.
Since the incident, Eden has disposed of all squeezable toys, noting, “While those toys may be adorable, fun, affordable, and convenient, the risks involved are simply not worth it.” Reflecting on the ordeal that her family endured, she expresses relief that her son recovered well. Please consider sharing this post to alert other parents to this potential danger.