(RoyalPatriot.com )- The UK Daily Mail this week analyzed the top health-related questions Googled last year that were based on urban myths, rumors, and old wives’ tales.
In 2022, Google saw a 525 percent increase in searches on the question of whether someone could contract a sexually transmitted disease from a toilet seat.
However, it is extremely rare to catch an STI from sitting on the john, according to the Mail.
Bacterial infections only survive on surfaces for a short time, while viral infections can’t survive very long outside of their human host.
That isn’t to say toilet seats can’t be risky. According to the Mail, germs like E. Coli as well as Norovirus spread through fecal matter which can splash into the air during flushing.
Last year, Google had a 673 percent increase in searches asking if egg yokes are bad for you.
According to the Mail, while egg yokes do contain cholesterol, they are low in saturated fats and full of protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The British Heart Foundation said egg yokes eaten in moderation will not increase the risk of heart disease in healthy individuals.
Google also saw a 647 percent increase in 2022 in searches asking the question “Do antiperspirants cause cancer.”
The succinct answer, according to the Daily Mail, is no.
Cancer Research UK found that there is no evidence that the aluminum found in some antiperspirants increases the risk of cancer. The National Health Service in the UK only recommends that women avoid using antiperspirant sprays on the day of a scheduled mammogram.
In 2022, Google experienced a 347 percent jump in searches asking if butter should be used on burns.
The answer is no.
While covering burns in a cold substance can relieve the pain, cold butter is a bad idea since it is full of bacteria that could trigger an infection. Additionally, since butter is a greasy substance, covering a burn with it will only trap the heat against the skin, causing it to continue to burn.
It’s better just to remove clothing and jewelry near the burn area and run cool or lukewarm water over it for about 30 minutes.
Click HERE to read about all six of the top medical myths Googled last year.
