This is FALSE. Ingesting borax is extremely dangerous. A TikTok trend claiming health benefits of borax ingestion or bathing is a serious health hazard. Social media posts wrongly confused borax with boron, a natural mineral in foods. Borax, a cleaning product, should never be consumed. It can cause stomach problems, rashes, headaches, and can be fatal.

Ingesting borax or applying it to your skin is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious illness, injury, or even death. Borax should not be applied to skin, used for personal care or as a method of detoxification. 

If someone has ingested borax, rinse their mouth with milk or water and immediately call poison control (1-800-222-1222). 

Social media posts have confused borax with boron, a mineral that is naturally found in many foods, but they are not the same. 

If you feel that you are lacking boron or other nutrients in your diet, contact your healthcare provider for advice. 

Facebook, TikTok, and other social media platforms have tools to remove misinformation; however, these posts are still reaching an audience before they are taken down.