Tragic Borax Weight Loss Death: Teen's Fatal Mistake

Teen Dies After Taking Borax for Weight Loss, Doctors Warn A 19-year-old from Tamil Nadu lost her life after she consumed borax or sodium tetraborate for weight loss. Family members of Kalaiyarasi from Sellur said she watched a video on the YouTube channel that claimed different ways to get a slim body in just a week. She then bought borax from a local shop and consumed all of it. According to police, Kalaiyarasi, a college student, was often on the lookout for weight loss tips on social media. Right after she ate borax, Kalaiyarasi began vomiting violently and had severe diarrhoea. Despite her mother rushing her to a private hospital, where she received treatment and was sent home, her symptoms worsened as she started complaining of stomach aches. She was then rushed to a government hospital, where the doctors declared her dead en route. What is borax? Also known as sodium tetraborate, borax is a naturally occurring white, powdery mineral, a salt, used widely in household cleaners, detergents, and for making slime, and works as a laundry booster. However, if ingested, it is highly toxic and should not be consumed. Borax is usually found in dry lake beds and is known for its alkaline properties, enhancing cleaning power and softening water, but it requires careful handling, like wearing gloves. It has many uses, like: Borax is widely in household cleaners, detergents, and for making slime Helps get rid of stains, mold, and mildew around the house Can kill insects such as ants Used in laundry detergents and household cleansers to help whiten and get rid of dirt Can neutralize odours and soften hard water Why is borax not safe to ingest or put on the skin? Experts say borax is marketed as a green product because it does not contain phosphates or chlorine. Instead, its main ingredient is sodium tetraborate, a naturally occurring mineral. Boric acid is usually used exclusively as a pesticide and is much more toxic than sodium tetraborate, so it should be handled with extra special care. Though these are different boron-based compounds, neither of them is safe to drink. While people are mostly exposed to borax in their homes, they may also encounter it at work, such as in factories or at borax mining and refining plants. According to the National Institutes of Health, borax has been associated with several adverse health effects in humans, which include: Irritation Hormone issues Toxicity Death Exposure to borax can cause irritation on your skin or eyes and can also irritate the body if inhaled or exposed. People have reported burns from borax exposure to their skin. A few signs of borax exposure include: Skin rash Mouth infection Vomiting Eye irritation Nausea Respiratory issues Also read: Woman Suffers Recurrent UTIs for 6 Months; Urologist Links Frequent Intimate Wash Use to Near Organ Failure How to safely use borax? Generally, borax has been found to be safe to use as a cleaning product if you take the appropriate precautions. Using borax safely involves minimizing your routes of exposure. Also, borax can disrupt your body’s hormones, especially impairing male reproduction, reducing sperm count, and libido. Studies say borax can also reduce ovulation and fertility among women. Latest News Ashima Sharda Mahindra author Is a prolific writer with a varied experience of over two decades of journalism under her belt. She writes passionately about diverse health topics wi ... View More News Health End of Article