ERASING, ERASER BURNS, "The ABC Test," "The Sissy Test" or
"The Pain
Game"
So what's this all about? Well, first you get an eraser (doesn't matter
what kind- either on the end of the pencil or the ones that you get separately).
You take that eraser and rub it HARD, back and forth on your skin, really fast
and in the same place. You don't stop until it either hurts so much that you
can't stand it or it starts dripping.
Even though this isn't anything new, there is a new problem.
these children sometimes share the same erasers to burn themselves. So, now they
may also be sharing body fluids and blood.
That doesn't even include the nasty kinds of infections you can get
from open, oozing and weepy sores. If a child shows signs that s/he has done
this, to be on the safe side, we would recommend they be seen by their
doctor. It may be an emergency if the area around the sore looks red and puffy,
if they have fever and looks sick, or if sheets of skin starting to blister
up.
These children may have a higher chance of getting these
diseases:
**Staph or Strep skin infections
**MRSA
**Scalded skin
syndrome
**Toxic shock syndrome
Diseases passed by blood and body fluids:
**Hepatitis
**HIV
Protect yourself from skin infections by:
**Keeping hands clean (wash
well with plenty of soap and water
**Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered
until they are healed
**Don't touch other people's sores or
bandages
**Don't share things like clothes, towels or razors
**Use erasers
for what they are supposed to be used for
Practical Advice for Teachers
**If you observe children with open draining wounds or infections,
refer the child to the school nurse.
**Enforce hand hygiene with soap and
water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers (if available) before eating and after
using the bathroom.
**Children may be proud of their burn marks or try to
hide them in their clothing (long sleeves, long pants, etc.)
Advice for School Health Personnel
**Students with skin infections
may need to be referred to a licensed health care
provider for diagnosis and
treatment.
**School health personnel should notify parents/guardians when
possible skin infections are detected.
**Use standard precautions (e.g.,
hand hygiene before and after contact, wearing
gloves) when caring for
nonintact skin or potential infections.
**Use barriers such as gowns, masks,
and eye protection if splashing of body fluids
is anticipated.
