Social media spreads both awareness and misinformation about allergies and asthma

From rare tick-borne meat allergy to everyday asthma, millions of people turn to social media for health advice. But new research being presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando reveals that while these platforms give patients a voice, they also amplify misinformation – and posts that get the most attention are often not the most accurate.

One study looked at social media videos about alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), a growing condition caused by Lone Star tick bites that can trigger severe allergic reactions to meat. Researchers analyzed the top 100 videos under the hashtag "alphagal" and found that only 15 were created by physicians – and most of the doctors were not allergists. Despite this, physician-made videos received more likes and comments than those from non-physicians, which tended to be shorter and anecdotal. The findings highlight the potential power of allergists to share accurate, relatable information in a space where patients are eager to engage.

Alpha-gal is confusing for patients, and many turn to social media for guidance. While personal stories are valuable, there's also a lot of misinformation. When allergists and other doctors step in, their content resonates – suggesting a real opportunity to improve public understanding."

Nadia Hamid, MD, ACAAI member, allergist and lead author of the study

A second study examined TikTok videos about asthma, a more common condition. Of the 40 most-liked English-language videos posted in 2024 under #asthma, more than one in four contained inaccurate or misleading claims. Among the most concerning myths: that asthma can be cured with breathing exercises or that caffeine combined with asthma inhalers could be fatal. Alarmingly, these misleading, inaccurate videos were more popular, receiving over three times as many likes as accurate ones.

Most asthma-related videos were created by non-physicians, and overall quality scores were low. According to the researchers, this reflects both the popularity of anecdotal health content and the relative scarcity of physician voices on the platform.

"TikTok and other platforms offer incredible opportunities to reach patients where they are," said Ishitha Jagadish, MD, medical resident and lead author of the study. "But right now, misinformation about asthma is not only widespread, it's more engrossing than accurate content. We need more allergy and asthma experts online to present science-based, engaging content."

Together, the two studies underscore both the promise and the pitfalls of social media as a health information source. Patient stories can provide comfort and community, but without the presence of medical experts, myths spread quickly – and can influence health behaviors in dangerous ways.

Abstract title: The Tick Talks: A Qualitative Analysis of #AlphaGal Content on a Social Video Sharing Platform

Presenter: Nadia Hamid, MD

Abstract title: Misinformation Goes Viral: Assessing Asthma-Related TikTok Content

Presenter: Ishitha Jagadish, MD