Between shelves being constantly restocked with the latest skincare products and new beauty tips taking over TikTok on a weekly basis, it’s hard to navigate the world of skin health.
While it might seem more tangible to pick up a tip from a person who tested it, a GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, Dr Neel Patel, has shared to “be careful” around TikTok trends.
According to the doctor, the latest hack on the social media platform, claiming that cyanide can prevent acne and acne scars, is “worrying”.
The TikTok video that has over 440,000 views and 77,000 likes highlights apricot kernels as a possible acne treatment.
The woman in the video suggests her clear skin may be due to the amount of apricot kernels she ate as a child.
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@gracattackk DONT TRY THIS AT HOME THO idk enough about if its actually true #howtogetclearskin #clearskin #apricot #apricotseed #skincare ♬ original sound – grace
The TikTok user goes on to warn viewers against trying this treatment themselves, saying that while her skin might be nice, she “should probably also not be alive right now” based on science.
Dr Patel explained how exactly this skincare tip might be “potentially deadly”.
He said: “Apricot stones contain a compound called amygdalin which converts to cyanide once eaten.
“Cyanide is a rapidly acting, potentially deadly poison which interferes with the body’s ability to use oxygen.”
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Worryingly, long-term symptoms of cyanide poisoning include coma, high or low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, lung injury, seizures and even death.
The good news is that foods that contain cyanide tend to have very low doses but the doctor urged to be careful with apricot kernels.
Dr Patel said: “These are the seeds inside the apricot stone.
“Usually, you’d need a pair of pliers to crack open the stone and extract them.
“The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) cites apricot kernels as a cyanide poisoning risk.”
Eating more than three of these kernels in one sitting is discouraged as it could exceed the recommended safety level.
The TikTok user said she ate at least five of these a day, which could be “highly dangerous”, the doctor explained.
The following symptoms might signal cyanide poisoning and require seeking urgent medical treatment:
- Chest pain
- Chest tightness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Eye pain
- Eye tearing
- Excitement
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Nausea
- Rapid or slow heart rate
- Rapid or slow breathing
- Restlessness
- Shortness of breath and
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Wheezing.
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