(1269) The Buzz on Local Honey for Seasonal Allergies: A Social Media Analysis

Introduction: The use of local honey as a natural remedy to prevent or treat seasonal allergies has been widely promoted on social media, though randomized trials and reviews have shown limited supporting evidence. With the rise of TikTok as a platform for easily accessible information, this study aimed to characterize popular videos about local honey and allergies and evaluate the messaging regarding this topic.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional analysis of public TikTok content using a neutral account was conducted. The top 100 videos that appeared when searching for a combination of allergy and honey related hashtags, including #localhoney #allergies, #seasonalallergies #honey, and #honey #allergies, were sampled sequentially with duplicates removed. Videos were independently coded by two reviewers for creator characteristics, engagement metrics, and stance toward the use of local honey for seasonal allergies.

Results: Of 100 videos, 22% were created by self-identified healthcare professionals, of which 59% endorsed the use of local honey for seasonal allergies. Self-reported “healthcare creators” included board-certified allergists, otolaryngologists, doctors of natural medicine, chiropractors, and pharmacists. Overall, 91% of videos supported using local honey for allergies, yet only 5 videos referenced scientific evidence. Mean engagement per video was 722 likes (SD: 2,255) and 30 comments (SD: 72). Most videos focused on creators’ personal experience using local honey for allergy relief (61%). Videos discouraging the use of local honey as a remedy for allergies were posted by creators who identified as healthcare professionals.

Conclusions: Popular TikTok content regarding local honey and seasonal allergies overwhelmingly promotes honey as an effective natural remedy. This study reveals a gap between social media messaging and evidence-based management, which can be addressed by otolaryngologists through targeted patient education and counseling. It is important for providers to be aware of the social media trends and misconceptions that shape patient expectations and treatment decisions.