IT'S a challenge as dumb as it is dangerous, yet participants are ready and willing to outdo each other all in the name of pain and internet glory.

And those who take part in the aerosol challenge are not only happy to injure themselves but also upload the footage to YouTube and other social media sites.

Welcome to a craze where those who take part spray aerosol cans as close to their skin as possible in a bid to outdo each other over who can stand the freezing spray the longest.

The aerosol challenge which has been taking place in both Britain and South America, sees teens self mutilate in the name of so-called fun.

And despite the risk of burns and scaring, those taking part seem to revel in the pain.

In one YouTube clip, a British teen takes part in the challenge.

Admitting he's never tried it but has heard it hurts, he holds the can to his wrist and leaves it there for 10 seconds.

Almost immediately he is wincing in pain and after the time is up, his arm is left with an ugly white mark and is inflamed around the spray area.

The comments posted challenge the boy to have a cup of tea instead while others both encouraged and mocked him.

In another clip, South American prank group La Fenix spray each other with the cans, resulting in angry red blisters.

The craze has prompted warnings from the British Skin Foundation against the "painful and damaging" trend.

A spokesman told the Daily Mail that aerosol products should never be used on the skin for a prolonged period of time and that it can lead to cryogenic burns, scarring and skin damage.