As soon as the World Health Organization classified the novel coronavirus as a global pandemic, a slew of supposed “cures” and “preventative measures” began circulating online. I distinctly remember the first suggestion: a self-check for COVID—back when tests were incredibly limited—where you were told to hold your breath for ten seconds each morning. If you could do it, you were in the clear. I’ll admit, there were mornings I held my breath just to check, feeling a wave of relief when I could breathe again. My rational mind knew not to trust medical advice from a distant relative’s email, yet my anxious and desperate side thought, “What’s the harm in trying that little check?”
The harm, as we understand now, is that the ability to hold your breath has no real connection to whether you’re infected with COVID-19. Many people with the virus don’t even experience breathing difficulties. More crucially, if you are feeling unwell and putting off getting a COVID test—waiting until you can no longer hold your breath for ten seconds—you’re likely delaying necessary medical attention.
Since those early days in March, the number of supposed COVID-19 cures and preventive measures has only grown: gargling salt water, taking unverified and potentially dangerous anti-malaria medications without a doctor’s oversight, injecting bleach… (Please, just don’t do any of these things.)
Recently, two new “cures” have been gaining traction online, suggesting the use of baby shampoo as a nasal rinse and mouthwash as a way to deactivate the virus. These ideas stemmed from a study published in the Journal of Medical Virology, which examined various nasal rinses and mouthwashes on cells infected with common coronaviruses. They claimed that “a 1 percent baby shampoo nasal rinse can inactivate the virus in two minutes; with antiseptic mouthwash, it takes 30 seconds.”
But, please don’t start squirting baby shampoo up your nose or think you’re safe from COVID-19 just because you’ve used mouthwash. These claims are not grounded in strong or credible research. While the study’s findings are intriguing, they come with numerous limitations clearly acknowledged by the authors, who caution, “Several possible limitations of this work must be acknowledged.”
For one, the study tested these rinses against common coronaviruses, not COVID-19, which has proven to be far more complex. Additionally, the experiments took place in a petri dish, under conditions that don’t truly reflect the intricate nature of the human nasal and oral ecosystems. Your mouth and nose are full of various organisms and structures that a flat petri dish simply cannot replicate. Finally, the authors mention that the act of rinsing may either reduce the viral load or diminish the effectiveness of the shampoo or mouthwash by decreasing the contact time with the virus.
The truth is that experts and laypeople alike remain uncertain about the implications of this study. In an interview, Dr. Emily Carter from the Sunshine Health Network stated, “There might be some theoretical, minuscule benefit. In terms of the disease itself and stopping transmission, it’s intriguing, but not practical at this stage.” This early research may lead to significant breakthroughs, but it also may not.
For now, baby shampoo and mouthwashes should be used strictly as directed. Even the makers of Listerine emphasize on their website the importance of using their products correctly and clarify that “LISTERINE® mouthwash has not been tested against any strains of coronavirus.” They also state that their product isn’t suitable as a hand sanitizer or surface disinfectant.
It’s essential to remember that this study is preliminary and rife with limitations. Nasal rinses and mouthwashes should never replace health measures proven to curb transmission—such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing. The real danger of these unverified “cures” and “self-checks” is that they may create a false sense of security, leading people to engage in riskier behavior than they would otherwise.
We all want to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from this virus. We hope to regain some control over our lives and, more than anything, we wish for a way to make COVID-19 vanish. Unfortunately, none of these supposed cures will help; they stem from, at best, preliminary studies that have yet to be validated beyond a petri dish, and at worst, from misleading claims made by individuals with questionable motives.
The best way to safeguard yourself against COVID-19 is to heed the advice of experts (not the dubious emails from your distant cousin) and to wear masks, keep your distance, and avoid large gatherings.
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In summary, while the search for cures and preventive measures for COVID-19 continues, it’s crucial to rely on credible, scientific information. Unverified home remedies can pose serious risks and lead to complacency in following established health guidelines.
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