She said he looked like a zombie. Her two year old’s eyes were swollen, irritated, and bloodshot, even appearing to pop out of their socket. They feared he might be permanently blinded. Could it all have something to do with a Rubber Duckie?
Inside Edition reports about this little boy’s eye infection as they cut open some rubber bath toys to reveal the danger that lurks inside.
Baylor Strong is the two-year-old who was stricken with a serious infection called Cellulitis. It caused his face to swell, irritated his eyes, and thanks to medical treatment, he was saved from losing his eyesight. The pictures are terrifying as the toddler looked like something out of a horror movie.
Baylor’s parents believe that it all sprang from a squirt from his favorite bathtime toy, a Rubber Duckie.
According to the Center for Disease Control …
“Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin. If untreated, it can spread and cause serious health problems. Good wound care and hygiene are important for preventing cellulitis.”
Can a simple and classic bathtime toy really cause this boy to almost go blind? Inside Edition brought in HGTV’s Jeff Devlin to explain what is lurking inside the not so harmless bath toy.
They cut open some rubber squirt toys and found something shocking inside.
Devlin points out that the first thing kids do with these toys is put them in their mouths. This starts the bacteria to form, and a Rubber Duckie is the perfect Petri dish for bacteria and mold to grow.
It makes you wonder if Ernie has any idea how dangerous his favorite toy might be.
We all know how much Sesame Street’s Ernie loves his Rubber Duckie. A super popular song written for the show back in 1970 continues to be a mainstay of children’s music today.
“Rubber Duckie” was actually a surprise hit. It ran up the billboard charts and landed at #16 on the Hot 100 on September 26, 1970.
Inside Edition asked Good Housekeeping’s Meaghan Murphy to cut open some bath toys to find what’s hiding inside. They have some pretty sickening video of what they found. And when the host took a whiff she cringed, which was enough to make Meaghan scream.
The shocking discovery of bacteria and mold has many parents changing their idea of what makes a good bath toy.
Devlin shows the toy’s he prefers. Toys that don’t have space for water to get inside of and bacteria to grow. Devlin prefers a rubber octopus that he says is easy to clean.
This might prompt you to take a second look at the toys you have for your toddler’s bathtime.
Baylor’s mom shares what toys they now uses for bathtime.
“We only use toys that can completely dry, and don’t have any ability to trap water.”
Baylor has made a full recovery and he’s got the toddler energy to prove it. His parents want to send a warning out to parents everywhere to think twice about bath time toys.
Just one look into Baylor’s infected eyes and parents everywhere will have an instant awareness.
Send this video out as a public service announcement to all the parents you know. “Rubber Duckie” might be a great song for children but the actual toy in the bath might not be the best option.
What parents do you know that might need this info?
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