Just a disclaimer, however, that this article is for informational purposes only, and there’s no way that the author is encouraging people to follow the trend. So what’s happening here? Yet another unsafe trend is going viral again on social media, especially on TikTok.
Remember that trend years ago about children and teens on TikTok eating Tide pods? Well, they have upgraded to Borax, a versatile household cleaner that can be used as a detergent, weed, and roach killer. But first of all, what is Borax?
What is Borax?
Borax, also known as sodium tetraborate, is a white mineral that has been a staple in cleaning products for a long time. It has many uses; it’s a household name in the US regarding cleaning materials. Here are some of its uses:
- It kills insects such as flies, roaches, termites,
- Used as detergent and house cleaner as it cleans white surfaces from dirt and stains
- Neutralizes odors and hard water
- And it is used to kill molds and mildew around the house
Why Is It Unsafe to Consume?
If you refer to the previous list, food isn’t listed as one of its uses. Heck, it even implies that it is harmful to be ingested by organic beings, which includes humans. Not only that, Borax isn’t just made of sodium tetraborate. It’s a mixture of sodium, oxygen, hydrogen, and boron. If you don’t know yet, it has been banned from food products in countries worldwide but is recommended for cleanliness around the house.
However, on Tiktok, some users suggest that adding a bit of Borax to your water or coffee can work wonders in your body, especially if you’re experiencing osteoporosis. Some even claim that if you regularly do this, you’ll have an even lesser chance of getting osteoporosis later in life. Some people also say that it can be used to detoxify your body.
Of course, it’s all nonsense. No study supports these health claims. Ironically, many health professionals worldwide are stressing that ingesting a significant amount of household cleaner can be very harmful both in the short and long term. It can even be associated with death if ingested enough.
If ingested in large amounts, a few symptoms would start to develop. A person would start vomiting and feel nauseous. It can also irritate your stomach lining, so soon, the person would start vomiting blood. Also, the larger the amount you ingested, the more likely your kidney would get damaged. With enough damage, you would then experience seizures.
So Why Are People Consuming It?
Social media experts aren’t entirely sure how the TikTok trend happened. Still, the most common misconception people are talking about in the Borax trend is that the household cleaner has boron content, a natural element found in many fruits and vegetables.
However, in its elemental state, boron is very different from Borax, just like sodium is different from table salt. To get the boron from the household cleaner, they would need to do many tests just to get the substance, which no person in their home can do.
Tiktok and Its History of Misinformation
Some people call it the Borax Challenge and even dub it the “Tide Pod Challenge for Boomers.” While the title is hilarious, the health consequences of the people who ingested Borax are no joke. Another non-humorous part of all of this is that the Borax Challenge and the Tide Pod Challenge are just a small part of the misinformation industry that TikTok currently has.
Even though most people aren’t following these trends, a significant number of people are still following them, especially the kids. However, due to the hype around these challenges and the call to fame, if you follow these trends, it’s pretty much hard to ignore for people looking to be “TikTok famous.”
The Spread of the Borax Challenge
Unfortunately, the Borax Challenge has found its way to Facebook, an existing social media platform that boasts millions of people with acting accounts. On Facebook, there exists a private group with more or less 40,000 people devoted to following the challenge and chronicling their experiences through posts and comments.
One of the users posted that they had an awful aftertaste and dry mouth after ingesting the household cleaner. People who have ingested the household cleaner have asked for help dealing with the fallout. Experts recommend going to the ER directly, especially if you ingested a significant amount quickly.
Once out of the woods, you can talk to your doctor about next steps. They will then give you prescription medicine if symptoms persist. If you plan to buy more medicine, you can then ask How Discount Cards Work to use them in case your symptoms continue.
Final Words
TikTok has done a lot of good over the years, especially when it comes to spreading information about helpful programs, helping kids with their small projects, and even coming up with fundraisers for the needy. However, it’s also a home for many misinforming ploys made by people looking to be famous on TikTok. So, in conclusion, don’t follow the Borax Challenge, and before you follow any other challenge that pops up, do your research first.
