Healthline Always fact-check health claims and trends on social media with what trustworthy sources are saying on the topic. Medical misinformation can have dangerous effects for you and others.
Because health content on social media is typically delivered in a conversational tone, it can sometimes feel like listening to advice from a friend.
But it’s important to remember that health influencers on social media sites like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are often paid to promote products, services, and information. They may have partnerships that affect the messages they deliver, even when they aren’t directly selling something.
It can also be unsafe to take medical advice from someone who is unfamiliar with your medical history, and what works for one person may not work for everyone.
It’s also illegal for healthcare professionals to provide medical advice to people who are not their patients.