As much as we'd like to trust the Internet, it doesn't always have all the answers. That goes for social media, as well. A new diet, a new skincare hack, or a booming interest in some form of alternative medicine. Sometimes, certain trends come, and they might seem safe and fun, yet in reality, they're not.
So it's nice when professionals tell us what is really up. We've gathered some of the best tips from nurses, dermatologists, paramedics, surgeons, and even chefs on things they would never do because of their insider knowledge. Never knew it's better not to defrost your food on the counter? Read on and find more nuggets of wisdom that professionals from various fields wish others knew as well!
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Image credits: travelingnurse
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Wouldn't this be the dream: to use TikTok and social media in general for education? To know more about our bodies, health, and how best to take care of them? More and more people trust experts on social media to do the job. A 2022 survey of 2,000 Americans revealed that one in five people turn to TikTok before their doctor.
The most common topics that people turn to social media influencers for are anxiety, depression, and weight loss. The survey also found that almost one in five Americans trust health influencers more than medical professionals in their community.
While this might sound alarming, there is also some good news that comes with this. 89% of the respondents think that social media influencers contribute to health misinformation online. And even 76% fact-check what they watch and hear online.
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Why do people turn to social media for important topics such as health? For some, it's about the trust and care that they didn't receive from their doctors. For others, it's financial: some people can't afford to go to their doctor or buy prescriptions. "TikTok also makes it easy to connect with people who have similar health issues, which provides me with a sense of community and support," one person told Forbes.
One woman told the publication that doctors couldn't figure out what exactly her symptoms meant. She started watching other women with similar symptoms on TikTok and doing what they claimed helped them. "In the beginning, this was partially done with the guidance of a doctor, but at this point, I've just taken it upon myself to see what works," she told Forbes. The woman now says she made more progress in a month than in an entire year she spent going to doctors.
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Image credits: travelingnurse
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However, experts warn against blind faith in health influencers. Matthew A. Dolman, founder and senior partner at Dolman Law Group, told Forbes that the amount of misinformation online is alarming. "Completely different medical issues can manifest with similar symptoms, and the required course of treatment may differ greatly. Hence why it is vital to consult with a real licensed physician, either in person or, at least, via telemedicine."
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Image credits: travelingnurse
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