Troublesome teen trends

From vampire bites to 'fun' tobacco products, here are 10 recent trends that can be dangerous for the teenagers in your life.

Here are 10 trends – some new and others not so new — that can be harmful to the teens in your life, according to an article from Consumer Reports.

Trend #1: Vampire bites.

It may sound unbelievable, but thanks to the glamorous teen vampires portrayed on the popular Twilight series, The Vampire Diaries and HBO’s True Blood, there’s apparently a vampire movement afoot among teens, which involves actual biting, cutting and blood sucking.

Why it’s risky : Many teens do not realize that human bites can pose a serious risk for bacterial infection. They can also be a way of transmitting the HIV virus.

Trend #2: Circle or decorative contact lenses.

Circle lenses create the big, doe-eyed appearance made popular by celebrities such as Lady Gaga. Teenage girls — who are after the same look — are able to buy the lenses online without a prescription.

Why it’s risky : These so-called fashionable lenses can cause blinding infections, as well as damage to the cornea, experts say.

Trend #3: ADHD prescription drug abuse.

Drugs that are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are being widely shared by today’s teens in high schools and on college campuses across the country. The reason? Students claim the medications help to boost energy, memory and mental performance when preparing for exams.

Why it’s risky : These are serious medications, not study aids. Some potential side affects of the drugs include sleeplessness, irritability, dizziness and even heart problems.

Trend #4: “Fun” tobacco products.

Many teens believe that, unlike cigarettes, smoking a hookah (water pipe) or using chewing tobacco is not harmful to their health. In fact, hookahs do use specially made tobacco in an appealing variety of flavors — including apple, strawberry, and coconut — that contain the same risks of cigarette smoke. And because of the hookah tobacco’s milder taste, teens may not realize that they are gradually becoming hooked on nicotine.

The same holds true for an increasingly popular product called “Snus”. This non-chew, no-spit oral tobacco also comes in variety of sweet and fruity flavors. Because students can often use Snus without teachers realizing it — they simply stuff it between the lip and the gum — teens can get their nicotine fix at school and still stay under the radar.

Why it’s risky : According to the Mayo Clinic, hookah smoking is linked to lung and oral cancers, heart disease and other serious illnesses. Despite its mild and appealing flavours, the tobacco used in a hookah pipe is no less toxic than cigarette smoke, and in fact, hookah smokers may actually inhale more tobacco smoke than cigarette smokers do. Hookah pipes (especially those used in hookah bars and cafes) may also not be cleaned properly, which could risk the spread of infectious diseases.

Smokeless tobacco users have an 80 per cent higher risk of developing oral cancers and a 60 per cent higher risk of developing pancreatic and esophageal cancer, according to a report from the World Health Organization.

Trend #5: Tanning salons.

Despite the warnings from health experts on the risks of using tanning beds — including skin cancer and premature aging — many teens still like the look of ‘sun-kissed’ skin. Some popular television shows also depict tanning salons as trendy, fun and fashionable. And even among some adults, certain myths persist on the relative safety of tanning beds compared to exposure to radiation from the sun. This is despite the fact that indoor tanning equipment emits UVA and UVB radiation that is similar to, or even stronger than, the sun’s rays. (See Top tanning myths .)

Why it’s risky : Studies have shown that people who regularly use tanning beds before the age of 30 increase their risk of developing melanoma by 75 per cent. In fact, cancer experts say that tanning beds can be as dangerous for your health as smoking, asbestos, mustard gas, and arsenic. Research has also shown that indoor tanning can be addictive. (See Sunbeds and skin cancer.)

Trend #6: Tattoos.

In recent years, tattoos have become increasingly popular among teens and young adults. In fact, recent data suggest that more than one-third of adults in the U.S. under the age of 35 have at least one tattoo.

Why it’s risky : Sloppy tattoo practices have lead to outbreaks of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections. And that’s not all. Experts say that tattoos account for more than twice as many hepatitis C infections as injection drug use. Other infections, including HIV, can also be contracted through tattooing.

Does your teen still insist on getting one? Make sure he or she goes to a licensed practitioner.

Trend #7: Piercings.

For today’s teens, the piercing trend goes well beyond basic ear piercing. Teenagers are piercing other parts of their bodies including their nose, navel region, lips, eyebrows and tongues. And then there are piercings in other areas, generally hidden from parents, such as the nipples and genitals.

Why it’s risky : Not surprisingly, bacterial infections are a common risk with body piercing. Other potential hazards include risks of hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV and tetanus. Piercing can also lead to permanent deformity and scarring.

Trend #8: Tech use at night.

You may think the kids are snug in their beds, but today’s high tech teen bedrooms are often anything but peaceful and quiet. Nocturnal teenage entertainment often involves texting friends, chatting on Facebook or playing video games well into the wee hours. And when they finally drift off to sleep, it is often to music played on their iPods.

Why it’s risky : Sleep deprivation is common among adolescents and teens, and is associated with low grades, behavioral problems and an increased risk for depression and attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to the American Psychological Association. Urge your teen to get more sleep – not more screen time.

Trend #9: Texting on the move.

Despite the fact that it’s now illegal in many areas to text or talk on your cell phone while driving, many experts say the practice is still widespread, particularly among teens and young adults.

Why it’s risky: An increasing number of serious car accidents among teens (and drivers of all ages for that matter) have been attributed to texting while on the road. Drivers, clearly, should have their hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road, not on their cell phone keys. Is your teen driver worried about missing an essential call? Make sure he or she is equipped with a hands-free device before getting behind the wheel. (See Look Ma, no hands!)

Trend #10: Noise exposure.

Teenagers and loud, blaring music have always seemed to go hand in hand. But today’s technology and headsets only make it easier for kids to listen to their music, video games and television programs just they way they like it – nice and loud.

Why it’s risky : Exposure to loud noises can injure the delicate hair cells in the inner ear. In fact, research from the US shows that about 12.5 percent of children between the age of 6 and 19 have some degree of noise-induced hearing loss in one or both ears. And since we have a fixed number of cochlear hair cells and they don’t regenerate, it’s important to prevent damage from occurring in the first place. (See 12 tips for better hearing.)

Sources: Consumer Reports; Mayo Clinic; National Cancer Institute; World Health Organization; Lancet Oncology; The International Agency on Research on Cancer (IARC); the US Department of Health; American Psychological Association.

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