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!
Bored Panda reached out to two doctors who we are featuring in this list, Dr. Betsy Grunch, a board-certified neurosurgeon, spine specialist, and content creator, and Dr. Raj Arora, NHS general practitioner and medical educator.
Both were kind enough to tell us more about how social media can help medical professionals educate people on health and well-being and how people can know who to trust in digital spaces ripe with misinformation. Read our conversations below!
Dr. Raj Arora: Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Dr. Betsy Grunch: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | X | YouTube
Read More: 30 Incredibly Dangerous Things That Most People See As Safe
#1
Put my feet on the car dash.
Image credits: zemparamedic
#2
Not wear a seat belt in a car.
Image credits: zemparamedic
#3
I would not take antibiotics for a viral illness. They just won’t work. Antibiotics only work on bacteria. They do not work on viruses. Viral illnesses need antivirals, and those will be prescribed by a doctor if deemed necessary. Or, most viral illnesses are self-limiting. If you take antibiotics and they’re not needed, you’re going to cause more harm than good. Lots of side effects can be associated with medicines like antibiotics. And not just that, antibiotics can also deplete your normal healthy gut bacteria that we need for immunity and for wellness. It’s important to ensure that if you don’t need antibiotics, don’t take them unnecessarily.
Image credits: drrajarora
#4
Never leave a knife in the sink. This is something in restaurants that is widely preached, and for good reason. One of my first, actually no, my first kitchen injury was from someone leaving a knife in a sink. They’re hard to see, especially if water starts covering things or other things get placed on top, and it can really do some serious damage.
Image credits: alihooke
#5
I would never use female hygiene products, we just don’t need them. Our womanly parts are self-cleansing. And actually, we can do more harm than good if we’re altering the pH by using these over-the-counter cleansers. In addition, I would not be using any perfumed products, any sprays, I would not do any douching in the area. I would just leave it alone, use simple water, and that will be more than good enough.
Image credits: drrajarora
#6
Motorcycles. Even with a helmet on. I’m telling you right now, you are just asking for it. You could be the safest biker in the world, and I’m telling you right now, you being on a highway, going highway speeds without a closed and circulating object around you is asking to get smashed like a bug.
Image credits: travelingnurse
#7
Slide down a slide with a child in my lap. No seriously, stop doing this. Every year around this time when the weather’s nice and people are going to the parks, there is an influx of kiddos rushed to the ER, urgent care, orthopedics office with a particular injury. ‘Toddler’s fracture,’ or a spiral fracture of the tibia, which is the big bone in your lower leg. It can be caused by a twist when walking, but more commonly, it’s caused when their foot gets hung between you and the slide when they’re sliding down in your lap, or in a sibling’s lap. They’ll have pain, swelling in the shin, refusal to take a step, or even like a consistent limp. Typically there’s not any bruising, and it’s really hard to see on X-ray sometimes too. So the feet are out to the side, they will get hung right here and twist backwards.
Image credits: the.funny.nurse
#8
If you’re at someone’s home or staying in a place in which you’re unfamiliar, please familiarize yourself with the surroundings. I have seen so many patients that have opened doors thinking that they’re walking into the bathroom, but opened doors that are going down into the basement. And we all know how that turns out.
Image credits: ladyspinedoc
#9
As a skin doctor, I would never use a physical exfoliant scrub such as St. Ives or the ones you can buy over the counter at Boots or Superdrug. Most of them are way too abrasive for your skin and can cause micro tears and early skin aging.
Image credits: drrajarora
#10
Go to a trampoline park.
#11
I would not rely on Dr. Google. So if you have been given some resources by your doctor or health professional, of course, go ahead, read them, and they may be online, so you may use a search engine to get ahold of them. However, I wouldn’t blindly type into a search engine for symptoms because this can come up with lots of different variations, lots of different diagnoses, and most of them will be anxiety-inducing and stressful to read. So if you have symptoms, it’s important to go and see your doctor and to get the advice you need from a medical professional.
Image credits: drrajarora
#12
I would never participate in CrossFit.
Image credits: ladyspinedoc
#13
I would never actually put a laptop on my lap. Prolonged exposure to heat sources like laptops or heating pads can lead to a skin condition called erythema ab igne. It can lead to discoloration that can last for a very long time.
Image credits: dermguru
#14
I would never wax my skin when using retinol, retinoids, or Accutane. Retinoids lead to increased sensitivity of the skin, which could leave you with painful, irritated, almost rug-burn or chemical-like burns after waxing.
Image credits: dermguru
#15
Propane tanks. This one was really solidified this assignment. I have had three, three patients who have had propane tanks explode on them, and it has left them with debilitating burns. And the numbers have got to be wrong, got to be wrong, because I looked it up and the chances of a propane tank exploding on you are literally one in 37 million. But I have had three patients in the last few months that all had propane tanks explode. So yeah, everyone else, everyone else can handle the propane, I will simply not be participating. Simply put, I like having fingers.
Image credits: travelingnurse
#16
Trim tree limbs on a ladder. When you cut that branch down, it will fall and it may fall on you.
Image credits: ladyspinedoc
#17
If I’m driving down the road, and a cute little bunny bounces in front of my car, guess what? I’m going to run over the bunny. Never veer off the road trying to dart around an animal.
Image credits: ladyspinedoc
#18
Walk barefoot on cold cement.
Image credits: drvanessasmithhorning
#19
Drink around a fire pit.
Image credits: zemparamedic
#20
Tubing.
Image credits: zemparamedic
#21
I would never go to sleep with my hair wet. Sleeping on wet hair can lead to a moist environment, which can be a breeding ground for things like bacteria and fungus. And when hair is wet, it’s vulnerable since it’s at its weakest state, which can lead to breakage, hair thinning, and damage to the hair follicle.
Image credits: dermguru
#22
Use prescription pills to solve my problems as a first resort.
Image credits: drvanessasmithhorning
#23
I would never drink fruit juices from concentrate, unless it’s been adjusted for. If it’s not pure, I don’t want it.
Image credits: itsaghogho
#24
I’d never fry my food in coconut oil or certain types of sunflower oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the best! Quote me on that.
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Image credits: itsaghogho