Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Health, Food and Drink, TikTok
Britt Jones
Ever since the viral cucumber salad trend began online, people have been raving about how revolutionary it is for people who can’t stand veggies - but it might not be worth the dangers.
When Logan Moffit, a Korean food aficionado, uploaded a saucy cucumber salad mix on TikTok, the online community went wild.
The meal in question was a sushi inspired snack which featured an entire sliced cucumber, added smoked salmon, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, wasabi, grated ginger, kewpie mayo, msg salt, and furikage.
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Having previously been known as the kimchi guy after showing off how he makes his incredibly authentic kimchi and radish kimchi (even watermelon kimchi), people quickly dubbed him as the ‘cucumber guy’ after his video.
However, an urgent warning has been issued by experts after a series of cucumber-related accidents began to happen thanks to the trend.
Essentially, people would show themselves creating the viral cucumber salad and slicing it up using a mandoline slicer.
As their hands inched closer and closer to the blade, they’d sometimes end up slicing a little too far and catch their fingers.
Dr Seeta Shah, GP and medical adviser for Panda London explained that while it’s a great tool to have, it can be dangerous if you’re not careful.
They said: "When preparing salads using a mandoline slicer, it is crucial to prioritise safety to avoid injuries. Mandoline slicers, while efficient, are extremely sharp and can cause deep cuts if not handled properly.”
In one video on TikTok with the caption: "how I ended up in the ER", TikToker @jayyandabby could be seen slicing a cucumber using her own mandoline.
Now, it was all fine and dandy their fingers approached the blade.
Then, they could be heard screaming in pain as a finger appeared to catch the kitchen gadget.
Another video by @paigetaylor.s showed her helping to bandage her boyfriend's finger after a similar slicing incident, with people believing they saw his fingertip was missing.
Dr Shah states that when using this kitchen tool, you need to prioritise your safety.
They shared: “First and foremost, always use the protective guard that comes with the slicer, which is designed to keep your fingers safe from the blade. If the guard is unavailable or difficult to use, consider wearing cut-resistant gloves.
“Never rush the slicing process, as this increases the risk of accidents. Maintain focus while using the slicer, avoiding distractions or multitasking.”
However, if you do manage to accidentally cut yourself, you should proceed with these handy tips to ensure your work surface is sterile and your hand is staying away from infection.
The doctor explained: "If you sustain a deep cut, immediately stop what you're doing and wash the wound under cold clean water. Apply pressure with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding, and if the cut is deep or won't stop bleeding after a few minutes, seek medical attention.
“It's advisable not to continue using the slicer until you have regained full attention and are sure of your technique.
"Keeping the slicer sharp also helps reduce the risk of slipping, which often leads to accidents. Remember, safe slicing should always take priority over speed or aesthetics when preparing food."