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Words You Should Never Google, According To People Who Have

There are some words you should never Google - and that's according to the people who've searched them.
Credit: Alamy

Google is an incredibly valuable tool, but there are some words you should never search – and that’s according to the people who’ve searched them.

Google is the most visited website in the world, with more than 106 billion visits in June alone.

And while it’s largely seen as a useful part of everyday life, it can be a pretty harrowing place too.

So, what are these words people should never search for?

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Individuals who have encountered seriously unpleasant searches have compiled a list of terms you should avoid Googling.

Larvae

One word you should refrain from searching is ‘larvae’.

This caution is due to the possibility of encountering images of oral myiasis, a condition where insect larvae infect the mouth.

Numerous medical cases have reported patients whose mouths have been invaded by these larvae, with one account describing a room filled with a putrid odour of decaying flesh.

Degloving

Another term to avoid is ‘degloving’.

This refers to a severe injury where the skin is forcefully removed from the underlying tissue.

A Reddit user shared a story about a summer camp counsellor who would show girls a graphic picture of a degloved finger to emphasise the importance of removing jewellery before participating in activities, resulting in their increased compliance.

Krokodil

The term ‘krokodil’ is associated with the opioid drug desomorphine, which, when illicitly produced, can be contaminated with toxic substances.

Injecting this drug can cause severe skin damage, giving individuals a ‘crocodile-like’ appearance.

We won’t delve into that any further for the sake of everyone’s stomach.

Man on computer
There are some words you should never Google – and that’s according to the people who’ve searched them. Credit: Alamy

Fournier

Also, consider sparing a thought for individuals with the surname Fournier.

Unfortunately, their name coincides with a type of bacterial infection called necrotising fasciitis that affects the genital area.

This aggressive and life-threatening condition typically occurs in patients who have experienced local trauma to the perineum or have diabetes mellitus.

While it may be natural for male babies to experience something called ‘penile adhesions’, it is not a cause for significant concern.

However, if parents have worries or questions about it, it is advisable to consult fellow parents, healthcare professionals, or doctors rather than relying on a search engine.

Harlequin Icthyosis

Lastly, ‘harlequin ichthyosis’ is a rare genetic skin condition that affects newborns.

It leads to the formation of thick, cracked plates on the skin, requiring intensive care.

In the past, survival rates for babies with this condition were low.

These cautionary examples remind us to exercise discretion and seek appropriate sources of information when faced with sensitive or potentially distressing topics, as relying solely on internet search results may not provide the context or support needed.

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Written by Cal Gaunt

Cal is a former content editor at IGV who specialised in writing trending and entertainment news. He previously worked as a news reporter at the Lancashire Telegraph and earned an NCTJ in Sports Journalism.