Samantha Ruth Prabhu, ‘TheLiverDoc’ in war of words over hydrogen peroxide nebulisation; ‘leave some things to experts’, doctors say

Samantha Ruth Prabhu recently landed in the spotlight for an unusual reason. The actor shared a social media post advocating nebulisation with hydrogen peroxide as an alternative to medication for viral infections, sparking a debate about medical misinformation and the influence of celebrities.

Samantha’s Instagram story featured a picture of her using a nebuliser, a device that converts liquid medication into a mist for inhalation. The caption encouraged followers to consider hydrogen peroxide nebulisation for viral illnesses instead of depending on conventional medication. The Kushi actor often posts health advice while sharing her experience with Myositis, an auto-immune condition.

But Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, who goes by “The Liver Doc” on X, took to tweeting a strongly-worded post, slamming the actor and calling her “health and science illiterate.”

Left: Influential Indian actress Ms. Samantha Ruth who is unfortunately a health and science illiterate advising millions of her followers to inhale hydrogen-peroxide to prevent and treat respiratory viral infections.

Right: Scientific society, The Asthma and Allergy Foundation… pic.twitter.com/Ihn2xocKUt

— TheLiverDoc (@theliverdr) July 4, 2024

This prompted her to issue a clarification on her Instagram some hours ago. “I am not naïve enough to go about strongly advocating a treatment. I merely suggested with good intention because of all that I have faced and learnt in the last couple of years. Especially that treatments can be financially draining and many may not be able to afford them. End of the day, we all depend on educated doctors to guide us. This treatment was suggested to me by a highly qualified doctor who is an MD, who has served DRDO for 25 years. He, after all his education in conventional medicine, chose to advocate an alternate therapy.”

As such, we decided to talk to experts on the so-called benefits of hydrogen peroxide nebulisation, which Samantha promoted. This is what we found.

Fact checking Samantha’s claim of using hydrogen peroxide nebulisation

According to Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, pulmonologist, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, hydrogen peroxide is a “very toxic salt” and its usage in nebulisation can be “fatal” too.

He explained it can irritate the respiratory system and potentially cause inflammation or even burns. “It can cause bronchospasms, inflammation in the lungs, and even the life threatening lung injury Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS),” Dr Jha said.

Hydrogen peroxide, while a disinfectant, it is not recommended for nebulisation. (Source: Freepik)

Dr Manoj Goel, also a pulmonologist at Fortis Hospital, agreed, adding that it can also cause “severe damage to the lining of the lungs, along with airway constriction.” This can be fatal to asthma patients.

Hydrogen peroxide is used as a local antiseptic and sometimes in mouth washes, rinses. “These cases are exceptional and contain it in an extremely diluted form, and are used when there is an infection in the throat,” said Dr Goel.

Dr Jha explained that a “viral has to die on its own and no nebulisation can kill it.” He advised taking steam as it is the best option.

The case has highlighted the potential dangers of medical misinformation spread by celebrities. Samantha, with a large social media following, could have inadvertently influenced fans to try an unproven and potentially harmful treatment, the doctors noted.

Dr Goel recommended the influencers and celebrities “to leave a few things to the experts.” Dr Jha agreed, advising caution to the general public. “If an influencer promotes a skincare product or procedure, one can still think about it but never do anything which involves putting chemical inside your body.”

The case has highlighted the potential dangers of medical misinformation spread by celebrities. (Source: Samantha Ruth Prabhu/ Instagram)

Read Samantha’s full post here

Over the last couple of years, I’ve had to take many different types of medicines. I’ve tried everything I was strongly advised to take. As advised by highly qualified professionals and after doing as much self research as is possible for a lay person like me.

Many of these treatments were also very very expensive. I would always keep thinking about how fortunate I am that I could afford it and about all those who cannot. And for the longest time, conventional treatments weren’t making me better. There’s a good chance it was just me and am sure they will work very well for others.

These two factors led me to also read up on alternate therapies and treatments. And after trial and error, l found treatments that worked wonderfully for me. Treatments that also cost a fraction of what I was spending on conventional healthcare.

I am not naive enough to go about strongly advocating a treatment. I merely suggested with good intention because of all that I have faced and learnt in the last couple of years. Especially that treatments can be financially draining and many may not be able to afford them. End of the day, we all depend on educated doctors to guide us. This treatment was suggested to me by a highly qualified doctor who is an MD, who has served MO for 25 years. He, after all his education in conventional medicine, chose to advocate an alternate therapy.

A certain gentleman has attacked my post and my intentions with rather strong words. Said gentleman is a Doctor too. I have no doubt that he knows more than I do. And l am quite sure his intentions were noble. It would have been kind and compassionate of him had he not been so provocative with his words. Especially the bit where he suggests I should be thrown in prison. Never mind. I suppose it goes with the territory of being a celebrity. I posted as someone who needs medical treatments and not as a celebrity. And I certainly am not making any money from the post nor endorsing anyone. I was merely suggesting a treatment as an option after undergoing it myself, for others who may be looking for options because conventional medicine isn’t working for them. Especially more affordable options.

We cannot just give up when medicines aren’t working. I certainly wasn’t ready to give up…

Coming back to the topic of the said gentleman Doctor, it would have been nice had he politely invited my Doctor, whom I have tagged in my post, rather than go after me. I would have loved to have learnt from that debate and discussion between two highly qualified professionals.

And as far as sharing information about the treatments that have helped my health, I shall be more careful as my intentions are only to help others. Not to harm anyone. I’ve had so many well meaning people suggesting ayurveda, homeopathy, acupuncture, Tibetan medicine, pranic healing etc. I heard them all out. I was merely doing something similar. Sharing something that worked for me, as an option. And I know many of us dealing with health issues need that help, especially given how overwhelming it is when every option has qualified people who are so certainly sure of their polar opposite opinions. Both sides, for and against every treatment, are both so sure and persuasive. It’s difficult to navigate these and find good help.

 

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