How to avoid fake allergy advice on social media
14th September 2022
How to avoid fake allergy advice on social media
Did your parents ever tell you not to believe everything you hear? Well that advice has never been more true in our online world. There are hundreds of myths flying around that people take as fact. It’s all fun and games, until it starts to affect people’s lives. The truth is, fake news spreads a lot faster than real news.
When it comes to allergy myths, misinformation can get people hurt, or worse, killed. You have to think twice about everything you read online, especially on social media. But how can you spot allergy misinformation? Here are our tips for keeping yourself safe and spotting the fake advice.
Check your sources
This is something you should do for all stories you read on the internet. We’ve all been there. A friend shares a post they found on Facebook talking about a miracle way to treat your rash. It sounds reasonable, and you think why not try it? But do you know where the advice came from? Does your friend who shared it?
Whether it’s because they’re selling something or just want to look like an expert, people lie all the time. Even if it looks official – maybe the person giving the advice is a doctor – it’s not that simple. What qualifications do they have? Are they highly regarded in their field?
You should always look for the original source of any advice. Maybe it’s a scientific study. Or maybe it came from a medical clinic blog. If that’s the case, it’s usually fine. But if all you can find is the same advice just circling around social media, it probably isn’t trustworthy.
Don’t take news at face value
Surely news sites are trustworthy? Typically, they are. But news is a business and in today’s world, it’s all about the clicks. It isn’t unusual to find news sites talking about medical research in a sensational way. For example, let’s say there was a study in the early stages of a new treatment for peanut allergies. The news might take this and make the title “new miracle cure for peanut allergies”. It’s not exactly wrong, but it’s also not an accurate portrayal of the research.
Our tip here is similar to the first one. Do your own research. If a news story talks about a study, find it yourself. See if they call it a preliminary study, which means it’s the start of a wider research topic. Even if everything looks right, make sure it has enough participants, for example. A study on just 10 people isn’t going to be enough to make big claims.
Allergy testing
There are plenty of at-home allergy tests you can do. We even offer it ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with it, but you have to be sure the people selling or conducting the test are properly qualified. Not all of them will have doctors on the team to verify the tests, and some give you a list of 100 items you’re apparently allergic to. That’s incredibly unlikely.
If you’re ever worried about a potential allergy and want a test, make sure it’s backed up by actual doctors – preferably allergy specialists. That way, you know the results you get will be real, and the advice honest.
It’s easy to get swept up in misinformation, especially when you’re concerned about your health. But some due diligence will go a long way in keeping you safe. Always question any advice you read and make sure it’s coming from people who are qualified experts in their field. That way, you’ll know you’re getting the right information you need.
With a team of qualified and experienced allergists, you can always come to us with any allergy concerns you may have. Whether you want testing or some friendly advice, we can help. You can register as a new patient, or simply call us on 02031 433 449.
