ER Doctor Reveals Many People Are Ending Up In Hospital Over Avocados, Here’s Why

An emergency room doctor has issued a viral warning about the proper way to slice avocados, after thousands of people have ended up in the hospital with hand injuries caused by cutting them incorrectly.The fruit, which is beloved for its nice, creamy texture and healthy nature, has become a global breakfast staple. But as ERs continue to treat more “avocado hand” injuries each year, Dr. Joe Whittington decided it was time to show people exactly how to cut the fruit safely.

Dr. Joe shared a common kitchen mistake that’s sending thousands to the ER

Close-up of a halved avocado with pit, highlighting the avocado hands warning and common kitchen injury risk.

Image credits: angel/Adobe Stock

Emergency entrance at night symbolizing thousands visiting ER due to avocado hands injury warning from doctors.

Dr. Joe’s TikTok addressed a video that brought up the issue of avocados causing hand injuries.“Avocado hand is a real thing,” Dr. Joe Whittington told his 2.2 million followers in a viral TikTok video. “Craving some guac but you end up with stitches.”

Image credits: Daniel/Adobe Stock (Not the actual photo)

Man in white shirt and beige pants posing indoors, related to doctor's avocado hands warning viral after ER visits.

The doctor explained that injuries often happen when people try to remove the pit with too much force or while holding the fruit in their palm. According to one study he cited, 8,900 people in the US ended up in the ER in a single year after failing to remove the pit properly, according to the Daily Mail.

Image credits: drjoe_md

Person holding avocado and knife, demonstrating common mistake linked to doctor's avocado hands warning and ER visits.

“The difficulty usually arises when people try to remove the pit of the avocado and accidentally stab themselves in the hand,” he said.To demonstrate a safer method, Dr. Joe offered step-by-step guidance: “Grip the blade at the base, close to the handle, and use your index finger and thumb to create a small wedge of blade that will be used to stab the pit,” he explained. 

Image credits: Miriam Alonso/Pexels (Not the actual photo)

“Then stab the pit, turn to release the pit, and enjoy your avocado without injury.”The clip has since racked up thousands of views across TikTok and Instagram, with fans thanking the doctor for saving their hands the next time they make their favorite avocado toast.

Social media users reacted to Dr. Joe’s message with shock and gratitude

Young woman in kitchen slicing avocado, showing common mistake linked to doctor's avocado hands warning going viral.

Image credits: bunny_show21

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing avocado handling and common mistakes causing avocado hands injuries.

Screenshot of a social media comment warning about fruit cutting injuries linked to doctor's avocado hands ER cases.

Close-up of a hand holding a patterned knife blade, highlighting a common mistake causing avocado hands injuries.

Many viewers flooded the comments with surprise and humor. “I’m Mexican, so I had no idea this was an actual danger,” one user joked.Another shared an alternative method: “Push with two thumbs on the back where the pit is and it pops out by itself.”

Image credits: philiplemoine

In the same study that Dr. Joe mentioned, researchers concluded that 50,413 avocado-related knife injuries were reported from 1998 to 2017. There were only 1,790 worldwide shark bites reported during that same period worldwide.

Experts also revealed the truth about brown avocados and whether they are still safe to eat

Close-up of hands cutting avocado with a knife, illustrating the common mistake linked to avocado hands injuries.

Image credits: philiplemoine

Text post by HappyFlowersHere stating Avocados are out to destroy humanity, highlighting avocado hands warning viral trend.

Text describing a common emergency room injury known as avocado hand due to a frequent mistake with avocados.

While Dr. Joe focused on preventing hand injuries, others in the food world are clearing up another avocado mystery: what happens when the fruit turns brown.According to food experts, a brown avocado isn’t spoiled. It’s simply oxidized. 

@drjoe_md 🥑💥 “Avocado Hand” is real. Every year, thousands of people end up in the ER after a pit-removal fail. One study found 8,900 injuries in a single year—all from trying to make guac! 😬 #HealthTip#avocadolover#kitchenhacks♬ original sound – Dr. Joe, M.D. 🩺

The good news is that it’s still perfectly safe to eat for up to two days, even if the surface has darkened. Only after several days does the avocado’s fat start to break down into bitter compounds. At that point, it’s best to toss it. So, while “avocado hand” may land people in the ER, a brown avocado won’t land anyone in trouble. It just might taste a little off.

Netizens shared their thoughts on Dr. Joe’s avocado advice on social media

Comment by Talon Smith discussing avocado pit removal technique in an online thread about avocado hands warning.

Social media comment questioning the risk of avocado hands injury, shared amid doctor’s warning on common avocado handling mistake.

Social media comment saying I don't mess with avocados with a shrugging emoji, related to avocado hands warning viral trend.

User comment warning about pushing knife through avocado pit causing blade slips, related to avocado hands ER cases.

Comment saying if you can’t remove an avocado pit something is wrong, related to doctor's avocado hands warning and ER visits.

Comment discussing careful avocado cutting technique to avoid avocado hands injuries reaching the ER.

Comment explaining caution when using sharp tools to avoid injury, related to doctor's avocado hands warning.

Social media comment about avocado pit injuries causing avocado hands and leading to emergency room visits.

Social media comment warning about the common mistake causing avocado hands injuries leading to ER visits.

Comment warning about avoiding avocado hand by squishing the pit out to prevent knife injuries and ER visits.

Social media comment about avoiding knife use related to doctor's avocado hands warning viral after ER visits.

Comment discussing the common avocado hands mistake leading to ER visits, highlighting safe avocado cutting practices.

Screenshot of a social media comment by Kimberly expressing disbelief about thousands injured due to avocado hands mistake.

Social media comment showing user laughing about doctor's avocado hands warning going viral after ER visits from a common mistake.

User Blake GP commenting about the avocado hands warning, expressing surprise and using crying emoji.

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