Urgent Warning About TikTok’s ‘Deadly’ New Skin Care Trend That Encourages Teens To Use CYANIDE To Prevent Acne And Scars
TikTok videos promoting the use of cyanide to treat acne have led to warnings from doctors.
Experts fear that the fake trend, which has garnered millions of views, could be deadly.
In a TikTok video, a young woman claims she “secretly” gave her boyfriend seeds containing the toxic chemical — and that it cleared up his acne.
Meanwhile, another clip sees a woman claiming that her clear complexion is due to the fact that she ate at least five apricot kernels as a child.
TikTok user Graceattakk, pictured, explains that her clear skin is due to eating apricot kernels as a child. She warns others not to try this unusual skin care treatment on their own
Amygdalin – which occurs naturally in apricot kernels, cherry kernels and raw nuts – is converted to cyanide after consumption.
In concentrated amounts, it affects the heart, respiratory system and central nervous system and can kill a human within minutes.
Dr. Neel Patel, from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, said: ‘In general, foods containing cyanide usually contain it in very low doses, which is nothing to worry about.
‘For example, apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide, but whole seeds pass through the body without any problems. Even with crushed or chewed seeds, you’d have to eat at least 150 in one sitting to be at any risk.
‘However, you have to be careful with apricot kernels.
‘These are the seeds in the apricot kernel. Usually you need pliers to break open the stone and take it out.’
The European Food Safety Authority lists apricot kernels as a risk of cyanide poisoning.
Eating more than three grains in one sitting may exceed the recommended safe level.
Dr. Patel added: “This trend can be very dangerous.
“Long-term symptoms of cyanide poisoning include coma, high or low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, lung injury, seizures, and even death.”
In a TikTok video, which has more than 473,000 views and 80,000 likes, a woman explains that her clear skin is due to eating apricot kernels as a child.
However, she warns others not to try this unusual skincare treatment on their own.
TikTok user Graceattakk, who posted the video, said, “One of the reasons my skin is so good now could be because I consistently ate poison as a kid.”
She ate “at least five” a day when she was a child living in China and it wasn’t until she went back to the US that she discovered her habit was toxic.
Other users report having ‘smoother’ skin after eating the granules.
TikTok user queenseedadrianne claims she eats apricot kernels to help with her acne.
She told her followers, “My skin is much smoother than before and I’m just in a happier mood lately.”
The woman goes on to explain that she started eating three seeds a day before eating ten to give her “faster results.”
TikTok user queenseedadrianne, pictured, claims she eats apricot kernels to help fight her acne. The young woman claims she ‘secretly’ gave her boyfriend seeds containing the toxic chemical – and that it cleared up his acne
Another video on TikTok posted by thectgirl claims that the seeds can reduce wrinkles and prevent cancer.
The video, which has been viewed more than 13,000 times, suggests that a tribe in Pakistan eats the seeds and uses the oil from the apricot kernels and “never get cancer,” also adding the “women never get wrinkles.”
The kernels are also referred to as a “secret superfood” in some videos.
In a TikTok by superfoodsguy that has more than 250,000 views, it encourages people not to throw away the apricot kernel, but instead eat the kernel inside.
He claims the seed is “packed with health benefits” and is “super tasty.”
In a TikTok from superfoodsguy, pictured left, which has more than 250,000 views, it encourages people not to throw away the apricot kernel, but instead eat the seed inside. He claims the seed is “packed with health benefits” and is “super tasty.”
Some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, have banned the sale of raw apricot kernels due to the danger they pose, according to Food Standards.
Raw, unprocessed apricot kernels are also banned in the UK and cannot be sold for human consumption unless the cyanide content is below 20mg/kg, according to The Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Apricot kernels are also used in Chinese medicine to treat coughs and relieve constipation.
However, many websites selling these seeds as medicine warn that it should be used with caution and that eating too much can cause cyanide poisoning.
The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine “strongly warns against the use of apricot kernels by the public” because of its toxicity.
Alex Jacobs, head of the body, said: “I would caution against any consumption of bitter apricot kernel at any level that does not come from a properly trained practitioner.”
However, apricot kernels have been a popular complementary medicine since the 1970s, as they are said to stop cancer. However, this has not been proven.
Not only is the TikTok skincare trend extremely dangerous, but experts say it’s a “myth” that apricot kernels cure acne.
Dr. Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation, said: ‘This is a myth and it is concerning to see so much misinformation on social media platforms.
“It’s dangerous and misleading.”
Instead, if someone has acne, they should include products containing benzoyl peroxide-salicylic acid in their skincare routine, experts say.
Dr. Mahto said: ‘If that doesn’t work, speak to their GP. The GP discusses the options and prescribes prescription drugs, antibiotics or the contraceptive pill.
“If those options don’t work, they’ll be referred by their GP to a dermatologist to discuss further options.”