I have written over 400 health-related columns over the years. Using the Internet to find legitimate scientific information is a skill I had to acquire. There is an abundance of information out there, and it can be difficult to differentiate fact from fiction; science from pseudoscience.

Health is one particular area where the Internet is rampant with misinformation. Let’s focus here on Tik Tok, and its potentially frightening and dangerous impact.

One recent study looked at TikTok videos related to sinusitis; a common condition usually caused by a viral infection. A whopping 44% of these videos were found to contain non-factual information. Almost half came from “non-medical influencers” (defined as content creators with more than 10,000 followers, who did not identify as medical professionals). Some of these videos promoted genuinely dangerous treatments, or were simply confusing, or could lead sufferers to delay effective care while pursuing ineffective treatments.

Patients have reported to me that they have viewed Tik Tok videos which suggested placing cloves of garlic in their noses or ears to treat congestion, and putting potatoes in their socks to draw out toxins. These may just sound silly, but some advice is scary, including avoiding all vaccines, adding borax to coffee, and treating cancer with baking soda. Recent videos included taking castor oil to “heal any problems in the abdomen,” applying wild yam cream as a menopause treatment, and using soursop leaves as a cancer treatment. Please don’t.

Yes, TikTok does contain high quality medical educational content alongside non-factual or potentially harmful videos. And, yes, there are indeed agencies which exist to monitor fraudulent product claims. However, although policies are in place to try to protect us, misinformation continues.

Of course, far outside the realm of TikTok, even legitimate major companies have faced consequences for making false product claims, including Coca Cola for false claims about vitamin water, the Kellogg Company for false claims about Frosted Mini Wheats, 5-Hour Energy for claiming that its shots were more effective than coffee and that doctors recommended it, and General Mills for claiming that our beloved Cheerios will lower cholesterol.

When I am using the Internet to find legitimate research, I rely on proven websites including major universities, the CDC, and sites that contain the original studies. I urge you to use a critical mind when interpreting what you see, and to work with your health professional to analyze and discuss. When it comes to cyberspace, and Tik Tok in particular, there is ample cause to exercise extreme caution.