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Doctors warn against dangers of "Dragon's Breath" treat

Dragon's Breath is fruity cereal balls dipped in liquid nitrogen.

Knoxville — If you want a trendy new snack that lets you blow out smoke like a dragon, it's here in Knoxville.

It's called Dragon's Breath.

"The name is amazing, it just makes me want to try it," said Knoxville mom Miriam Mendoza.

Dragon's Breath is fruity cereal balls dipped in liquid nitrogen.

It flash freezes them, and they give off a vapor that, when eaten, blows out your mouth or nose like a dragon.

You can find it at West Town Mall.

But the fruity treat isn't a hit with doctors and many parents.

After some kids across the country ended up in emergency rooms after eating it, some people aren't sure if the fun is worth the risk.

"It's trendy, but you know, kids' safety comes first," said Dr. Kari McFarlane with Northshore Urgent Care.

Dragon's Breath is only sold at one place in Knoxville, but the concept has spread throughout Florida.

That's where one mom shared a Facebook post, saying the dessert caused her son to have a severe asthma attack.

"Because it's so cold, it gets to the warm temperature, it gives off vapor and that can trigger an asthmatic attack," said Dr. McFarlane.

She said liquid nitrogen can do more than that.

"When it comes in contact with tissue, that's what it does is it burns," said Dr. McFarlane. "You can end up with first-degree, second-degree burns in the mouth, on your fingers, wherever you touch it."

Stores do post safety warnings about how to handle the snack, some amended after the Florida child's asthma attack.

Most people who try Dragon's Breath don't have any side effects.

A lot of Knoxville parents agree with Dr. McFarlane when she says her kids will not be eating it,

Others, like Mendoza, said they're not worried.

"I think everything in moderation is OK," said Mendoza. "There are so many more dangerous things to be concerned about than Dragon's Breath ice cream. I'm really not going to worry if my child wants to ingest that."

10News reached out to the parent company of Dragon's Breath for comment.

We're still waiting for a reply.

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