It sounds unbelievable, but doctors have issued a serious warning after a rise in “avocado-related injuries” sent thousands of people to hospitals worldwide.
The culprit? Not the avocado itself — but the way people are cutting it.
Health experts report a growing number of emergency room visits due to deep hand and finger lacerations caused while trying to remove the pit or slice the fruit. The injury has become so common it’s now nicknamed “avocado hand.”
According to medical professionals, many people hold the avocado in one hand while stabbing or twisting the knife into the pit with the other — a dangerous mistake that often results in the blade slipping straight into the palm or fingers.
How to avoid it:
- Always place the avocado on a flat surface, not in your hand.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the pit instead of a knife.
- Choose a sharp knife — dull blades are more likely to slip.
- Keep your fingers away from the cutting path at all times.
Surgeons say that these injuries can be severe, sometimes damaging tendons or nerves that require surgery to repair.
So next time you’re making avocado toast or guacamole, take an extra few seconds to cut safely — your hands will thank you!
