TikTok anxiety: Viral ear‑detachment confession sparks concern

TikTok is a treasure trove of interesting content. On the platform, you can find videos on various topics. Internet users often use it to self-diagnose their illnesses or compare behaviors to see if others have similar problems. The app reaches a large audience in a short time. However, it's usually the most absurd content that goes viral. Sometimes, a little-known creator records material for their small audience, which unexpectedly gains traction. This was the case for this creator.

Kalina Brodowska is a TikToker followed by nearly 30,000 people. Her profile mostly features lifestyle content. Her videos usually get about 10,000 views, up to 50,000 at peaks. However, her latest video reached a significantly larger number of users—over 110,000. In the recording, she decided to share a terrifying confession with her followers.

"Do any of you experience that your ear detaches occasionally?" she asked internet users. She then clarified, "In the sense that it doesn't detach completely [...]. It hurts me terribly; it burns as if my ear is detaching." She reassured her followers that in the end, the wound always heals.

As it turned out, many internet users have struggled with a similar problem. In the comments, they revealed, "I thought it was just me," "How do you get rid of it?" "I had something similar, and it was also dry. I have cream for it, but you need to apply it daily. I'll give the name tomorrow if I don't forget; just remind me," "'Torn ear' my son had when he had a strong allergy to cow's milk protein," "I had it very often when I had active psoriasis," and "when I recently had a cracked ear it stung and hurt." Of course, TikTok is not an appropriate place for diagnosing all diseases, and it is best to visit a specialist for any ailments.