Reality Star Brandi Glanville Rushed to Urgent Care After Dangerous TikTok Remedy

Glanville put a clove of garlic in her ear to treat a cold, leading to a painful medical emergency.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:18pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image showing the outline of a garlic clove stuck deep inside an ear canal, conceptually illustrating the medical complications that can arise from using unconventional home remedies.An X-ray reveals the dangerous consequences of a reality star's attempt to treat a cold with an unorthodox TikTok remedy.Manchester Today

Reality TV star Brandi Glanville revealed that she was rushed to urgent care after trying a homemade health remedy she found on TikTok. Glanville, 53, said she put a clove of garlic in her ear to help with sinus congestion from a cold, but it became stuck and caused burning and discomfort. Doctors warn that using unproven online medical advice, especially for sensitive areas like the ears, can lead to serious complications.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of following unverified health trends found on social media, especially for celebrities with large platforms who may influence their fans to try risky DIY remedies. It also comes after Glanville's long battle with a facial disfigurement caused by ruptured breast implants, underscoring the importance of consulting medical professionals rather than relying on internet advice.

The details

Glanville shared on her podcast that over Easter weekend, she caught a cold from her youngest son and decided to insert a clove of garlic into her ear canal to try to clear her sinus blockage. However, the garlic became stuck and caused burning and discomfort, forcing her to go to urgent care the next day to have it removed.

  • Over Easter weekend, Glanville caught a cold from her son.
  • On Easter, Glanville put a clove of garlic in her ear.
  • The following day, Glanville went to urgent care to have the garlic removed.

The players

Brandi Glanville

A 53-year-old reality TV star who was a cast member on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and has appeared on both the British and American versions of Celebrity Big Brother.

Dr. Madeleine Herman

A physician president at the Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston who warned that putting a garlic clove in the ear canal can cause infections or damage the eardrum.

Dr. Andrew Spector

An otolaryngologist with the Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics in Manchester, New Hampshire, who said that putting garlic in the ear cannot help with sinus or nasal congestion.

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What they’re saying

“Foreign bodies in the ear canal can cause infections or worse. They could lead to eardrum perforations or even damage to the bones that allow you to hear.”

— Dr. Madeleine Herman, Physician President, Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston

“It absolutely makes zero sense that putting something in your ear would help sinus or nasal congestion, let alone ear congestion.”

— Dr. Andrew Spector, Otolaryngologist, Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics

What’s next

Glanville has not indicated whether she plans to take any further action or seek additional medical treatment following the incident.

The takeaway

This case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of following unproven health advice found on social media, especially for sensitive areas of the body. It underscores the importance of consulting qualified medical professionals rather than relying on DIY remedies that could lead to serious complications.