Current Netlore: Health/Medical
Internet hoaxes, email rumors and urban legends
Larvae Infestation in Breast (Photo & Video)
Emailed image and video purport to document the medical case of anthropologist Susan McKinley, who failed to seek treatment for a rash and wound up with an infestation of larvae in her breast.
Lead in Lipstick
Email flier claims name-brand lipsticks contain 'cancer-causing' lead and that consumers can test for its presence in products by scratching them with a 24K gold ring.
Lemon Slices Pose Health Risk in Restaurants
New study finds that lemon slices/wedges served as garnishes in restaurants are often contaminated with health-threatening fecal bacteria.
Listerine as Mosquito Repellent
Forwarded email claims spraying an outside area with Listerine mouthwash repels and/or kills every mosquito in the vicinity.
LSD & Strychnine on Pay Phone Buttons
More pay phone hysteria, courtesy of the Internet.
Male Pregnancy Website
Wherein it is claimed that Taiwanese-born Mingwei Lee is the first human male to be artificially impregnated and will soon give birth to a child.
Mastectomy Bill in Congress
Email flier urges women to sign an online petition in favor of the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, which would require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy.
McDonald's Importing South American Beef
This chain letter calls on American consumers to boycott McDonald's because the burger chain has allegedly begun importing "much of its beef" from South America.
Mentos + Coca-Cola = Death
Email rumor claims two boys in Brazil died after eating Mentos and drinking Coca-Cola at the same time.
Microwave Ovens, Plastic Wrap and Dioxin
Does microwaving foods in plastic containers or covered with plastic wrap expose consumers to deadly cancer-causing chemicals?
Microwaved Water Explodes in Man's Face
Email warns of a little-known hazard of using microwave ovens.
Mold in Pancake Mix Causes Allergic Reaction
Email flier quotes a "Dear Abby" column in which a parent describes her 14-year-old son's severe allergic reaction to mold in outdated pancake mix.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Causes Chemical Burn
Forwarded email describes 'chemical burns' sustained by a 5-year-old child when he scrubbed his own skin with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponge.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Contains Formaldehyde
Forwarded email claims that Mr. Clean Magic Eraser cleaning pads pose a health hazard because they contain formaldehyde.
A Needle Can Save the Life of a Stroke Victim
Misinformative email flier claims pricking a stroke victim's fingers and ear lobes with a pin or needle until they bleed will relieve symptoms of paralysis, restore consciousness, and allow the patient to be safely moved.
Ovarian Cancer and CA-125 Screening
Rumor makes misleading claims about "primary peritoneal cancer" and the value of the CA-125 tumor marker as a screen.
Paget's Disease of the Nipple
The information in this forwarded email warning of a rare but real form of breast cancer is mostly accurate.
Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) Health Warnings
TRUE: The FDA issued a health alert in 2000 about the dangers of PPA, an ingredient commonly found in cold remedies and appetite suppressants. Most (if not all) of the products containing it have since been voluntarily recalled by manufacturers.
Pirate's Gold Chocolate Coins - Melamine Contamination Warning
Forwarded email says that Sherwood Brands Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate Coins imported from China may contain deadly melamine and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has warned the public not to eat, distribute or sell the candy.
Plug-In Air Fresheners a Fire Hazard
Email flier alleges that plastic plug-in air fresheners pose a serious fire hazard.
Prescription Drug Pricing
Email flier purporting to originate from U.S. government budget analysts blames inflated prescription drug prices on price gouging by pharmacies.
Procter & Gamble's Killer Sponges
Email alert claims that "pot scrubbers" from P&G contain a toxic chemical.
Purell Hand Sanitizer Safety Warning
Emailed safety warning purporting to originate from Chevron Corporation warns that Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer is flammable and can catch fire if treated skin is exposed to an open flame soon after use.
Rat Droppings/Urine Cause Hawaiian Man's Death
A plausible scenario, but did this incident really happen?
Rat Urine on Soda Pop Cans Is Lethal
Three variations of a cautionary tale making the email rounds since 1998.
SARS Infects Restaurant Workers in Asian Neighborhoods
Variants of a widespread rumor claim the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic threatens local communities across North America via infected workers at restaurants and groceries in Chinatowns and other Asian neighborhoods.
Scrotum Self-Repair
Perhaps the most inventive use of an industrial staple gun you're ever likely to see. Grisly but true!
Shampoo Cancer Warning
This chain letter falsely claims that sodium laureth sulfate, an ingredient found in some brand-name shampoos, is carcinogenic.
Snakes Kill Child in Burger King Ball Pit
Email warns of baby rattlesnakes hiding in restaurant playgrounds.
Sour Spray Candy Warning
Forwarded email recounts an incident in which a child experienced a laryngospasm (involuntary closure of the larynx, obstructing breathing) after drinking sour spray candy directly from the container.
Static Electricity Causes Gas Pump Fires
MOSTLY TRUE: While a few of the claims in this email are erroneous, the Petroleum Equipment Institute has indeed issued a warning about the danger of static-caused fires while refueling automobiles.
Stroke Test: Is It a Stroke?
TRUE: Email offers a useful test for identifying stroke victims consisting of three simple questions.
Swiffer WetJet Toxic to Pets
Forwarded email claims that the Swiffer WetJet disposable floor cleaner contains a substance toxic to dogs and cats.
Tampax Pearl Tampons Warning
Anonymous email rumor claims loose fibers from Tampax Pearl tampons caused yeast infection and cervical bleeding in a user.
Tim Hortons Coffee Contains Nicotine
Email rumor claims Tim Hortons Coffee contains nicotine and poses a danger to smokers or those who are allergic to nicotine.
'Toilet Spiders' Kill 5 in Chicago Airport
The deadly "arachnius gluteus" rears its ugly head across the U.S.
Ultra Clorox is Dangerous to Pets & Children
It contains lye, says the email rumor, and therefore is more hazardous than regular Clorox.
Vicks VapoRub on Soles of Feet Relieves Coughing
Forwarded email claims that coughing in children can be stopped '100% of the time' by applying Vicks Vaporub to the bottoms of their feet and covering them with socks at bedtime.
Wal-Mart Flip Flops Cause Skin Reaction
Emailed images show skin rash caused by Chinese-made rubber flip flops purchased at Wal-Mart.
Waterproof Sunscreen Causes Blindness in Children
Recycled 1998 warning alleges that children have gone blind due to exposure to waterproof sunscreens.
Woman Catches Leptospirosis from Unwashed Coke Can
False email rumor claims a woman in North Texas (or Belgium, or Botswana, etc.) caught the deadly disease leptospirosis after drinking Coke straight from an unwashed can contaminated with dried rat urine.
Zicam Cold Remedy Warning
Anonymous email alert blames zinc-based nasal cold remedy Zicam for cases of anosmia (loss of the sense of smell).
