How to separate sensible health advice on TikTok from the trendy tips that could lead to serious harm

TikTok is used by millions of people around the world looking for a quick dose of entertainment and is now also receiving significant attention for health advice.

A third of Generation Z (born 1997-2012) and a quarter of Millennials (1981-1996) – around six million people in Britain – say they rely on the platform for health information, according to a survey earlier this year by marketing consultants Hall & Partners, based on a survey of 10,500 over-18s in Britain, the US, Germany, China and Japan.

But the danger, medical experts warn, is that without tough and fast regulation, the platform could become overflowing with health misinformation – useless at best and dangerous at worst.

One NHS doctor battling this tide of bad or risky health advice is GP Dr Idrees Mughal, who estimates that 97 per cent of the 'hundreds of videos' he sees on TikTok every day are 'filled with misinformation'.

“People are looking for real scientific evidence and they just get swept up in it,” explains Dr. Mughal, who himself has 1.8 million followers on TikTok.

He warns that the platform also shows “all kinds of crazy things that fall prey to fear and fear mongering.” He highlights videos that focus on women's health: “At best they can be pointless and waste money, at worst they can negatively impact someone's well-being.”

Athena Lamnisos, CEO of gynecological cancer charity The Eve Appeal, agrees and urges caution with 'posts that try to sell you something' – a lot of misinformation about gynecologists' health spread on TikTok involves advertisements to convince young women that they should buy something to solve a problem they don't have'.

A risky health tip in circulation is the suggestion to drip hydrogen peroxide (i.e. bleach) into the ear canal to remove earwax – offered by American influencer Taylor Brook and viewed more than eight million times.

'I wouldn't recommend this,' says Dr Andrew Camilleri, consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon at South Manchester Foundation Trust. 'This can lead to severe pain, inflammation and even hearing damage.'

Secrets of an A-List Body: How to Get the Enviable Physique of the Stars

This week: Brad Pitt's arms

Hollywood actor Brad Pitt's forearms were in the spotlight as he posed with his BMW Bobber motorcycle in Los Angeles recently. The 59-year-old father of six lifts weights and shadowboxes and undergoes rigorous training for his films, still preferring to do his own stunts.

“Discomfort is where all change happens,” he said during training for his 2004 film Troy.

WHAT TO TRY: Wrist curls help build strong forearms, important for grip strength. Do the “palms up” version first: Sit in a chair and rest your wrists on your knees, palms up. With a dumbbell in each hand, raise your hands up while keeping your arms still and your wrists on your knees. Pause at the top. Repeat 15 times for three sets every other day. On other days, perform a “palms down” version.

Another example involves 'sleepy chicken': chicken cooked in a 'sauce' of the cold and flu drug NyQuil – the US equivalent of Night Nurse – to help combat insomnia. “This is such a stupid idea; medication should be used as prescribed and indicated on the pack,” says Michael Oko, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust and head of sleep apnea services for Lincolnshire. 'There is a risk that the dosage is exceeded. And when you start cooking a medicine, you don't know how much the nature of the medicine changes.'

Meanwhile, doctors are also reporting that women are avoiding contraception due to misinformation on TikTok.

The hashtag #gettingoffbirthcontrol has been viewed almost 20 million times, with some users claiming contraceptives make you 'feel crazy'.

Dr. Nighat Arif, an NHS GP in Buckinghamshire with a special interest in women's health, says she regularly sees patients who report hearing 'this kind of information' on TikTok.

Advice about pregnancy and pregnancy loss is another area of ​​concern. “Social media platforms can be a useful source of support for anyone dealing with pregnancy or baby loss,” says Clea Harmer, chief executive of Sands, a charity that supports parents whose babies have died. 'However, it can also be easy for misinformation about health during pregnancy to spread through social media, and influencers are rarely health professionals.' One worrying piece of misinformation is the suggestion that it's okay for babies not to move during the last weeks of pregnancy because they're “resting.”

“It's a myth,” says Clea Harmer. 'During pregnancy, babies' movements are a sign of their health. If your baby's kicking and movement pattern changes, contact your midwife or maternity ward immediately.'

Another area of ​​concern is TikTok and YouTube videos about dental care, says Eddie Crouch, chairman of the British Dental Association. “From tutorials on making DIY braces from elastic bands, paper clips and super glue to brushing with sawdust, dentists are picking up the pieces of trends that can lead to permanent damage to teeth and gums,” he says.

“Social media companies need to take some responsibility. These 'hacks' aren't just fun.'

Sam Jethwa, a dentist and vice-president of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, agrees, highlighting worrying TikTok videos that suggest filing teeth with a nail file to reduce ridges.

'This is extremely dangerous: it can damage the enamel, leading to sensitivity and a greater risk of decay.

'There is a chance that the tooth may be over-filed, exposing nerve endings, which can lead to pain, irritation and even infection. A nail file is not a sterile dental tool and contains a lot of bacteria, nor is it intended for teeth.” Sam Jethwa also warns against at-home teeth whitening videos, citing a TikToker using a “mouthwash” containing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda: “I can't stress enough how dangerous this is. Hydrogen peroxide is extremely strong: if you use too much it can damage the enamel and lead to inflamed gums.'

A third of Generation Z (born 1997-2012) and a quarter of Millennials (1981-1996) – around six million people in Britain – say they rely on the health information platform, according to a survey (Stock Photo)

So how do you know if the health advice you read is safe?

It sounds obvious, but look for recognized experts, says GP Dr. Rachel Ward from South Oxfordshire. 'The fact that someone calls himself a specialist does not mean that he is one.' For doctors, she says, check the General Medical Council register (gmc-uk.org), where all UK doctors must be registered.

It's also important, says Dr. Arif, to check that doctors are sticking to their field of expertise. 'For example, newly trained doctors can comment on topics such as menopause, even though they have little experience with this.'

Dr. Mughal also suggests that we should be wary of 'experts' who speak in absolute terms. “When they say things like 'this is the worst food you can eat,' that kind of absolutist statement shows a lack of sense of nuance or context.

'Also pay attention to people who refer to 'science' to add authority, but do not refer to studies. They use the credibility of science without science: that is a red flag.'

That said, the technology itself is neutral – and the right advice can be helpful.

For example, Hampshire-based NHS surgeon Dr Karan Rangarajan, who has almost five million followers and goes by the TikTok icon Dr Karan Raj, regularly shares videos with accurate advice on topics ranging from insomnia to avoiding straining on the toilet ( which can lead to the risk of piles).

Instead, he says in a video viewed thousands of times, leaning forward and crouching makes for “a smoother exit.” (“Concentrate on the angles, especially the angle between your stomach and thighs. Make it as small as possible.”)

In addition, Dr. Arif videos about women's health – from painful sex to the psychological symptoms of menopause – in an effort to offer more than she can offer in a consultation. “Because of the large number of patients and the fact that you can't do women's health in ten minutes, I try to provide as much information as possible on TikTok.”

A TikTok spokesperson told Good Health: “TikTok works with accredited fact-checkers to review content, and when harmful medical misinformation is found, we immediately remove it from our platform.”