A spray of perfume on the neck is a familiar final step before leaving the house. But a viral Instagram post by a cancer specialist has singled out the neck as an area “worth thinking about” because it lies close to the thyroid gland.

The caption says there is no evidence that spraying perfume on the neck damages the thyroid. Yet its references to hormone disruption and lifelong chemical exposure through thin skin may suggest a possible link with thyroid disease or cancer. Could a quick spritz really pose a special risk?

Current evidence does not show that applying perfume over the thyroid selectively delivers fragrance chemicals to the gland or exposes it to a higher dose than spraying elsewhere. Research on skin absorption and the anatomy of the neck do not support the idea of a direct, selective route to the thyroid.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the lower front of the neck. It releases hormones that help control how the body uses energy and sits beneath the skin and several layers of connective tissue and muscle.

What happens when perfume reaches the skin?

Skin acts as a barrier. An ingredient may evaporate, remain on the surface, enter the skin’s layers or reach the bloodstream. Absorption depends on the chemical, its mixture, skin condition and location, dose and contact time.

Body site can influence absorption. Once a chemical reaches blood vessels in the deeper skin, it can circulate more widely. Applying a substance near an organ does not automatically target that organ.

Safety assessments of sprayable cosmetics also consider inhalation. This route does not give the thyroid special exposure from neck application.

What about phthalates and hormones?

Much of the concern centres on phthalates, a family of chemicals with different uses and health effects. Diethyl phthalate, or DEP, has been used as a solvent and fixative in fragrances. Other phthalates have mainly been used to make plastics flexible. Evidence about one member of the family cannot simply be applied to all the others.

A systematic review published online in 2024 brought together 17 studies involving 5,616 children and adolescents. It reported associations between phthalate exposure and levels of some thyroid hormones, while findings for other hormones were inconsistent. The studies examined exposure from multiple sources. They did not investigate perfume application to the neck or the development of thyroid disease, and cannot establish cause and effect.

Perfume can contribute to DEP exposure. In a study of 337 women, perfume users had higher urinary levels of monoethyl phthalate, a breakdown product of DEP. This supports perfume as a source of DEP exposure. The study did not examine thyroid damage or application site.

An “endocrine disruptor” is an outside substance that changes the hormone system and causes a harmful effect. Risk depends on the chemical, dose, route, timing and duration of exposure. A hormonal effect in a laboratory experiment does not establish the risk from a finished perfume used in everyday conditions.

Repeated use means repeated exposure, although it does not necessarily mean accumulation. Phthalates are converted into breakdown products that pass out of the body quickly in urine, while frequent use can repeatedly renew exposure.

In Great Britain and Northern Ireland, cosmetics must undergo a safety assessment before being placed on the market, although the regulatory systems differ. Assessors consider ingredients, concentrations, intended use and likely exposure. Fragrance mixtures may be listed as “parfum”, while specified allergens must be named above prescribed concentrations under Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s rules.

The better-established skin risks

For perfume applied directly to skin, the clearest established concern is allergic contact dermatitis, an itchy, inflamed rash caused by contact with an ingredient. A review estimated that fragrance contact allergy affects 0.7% to 2.6% of the general population.

An allergic reaction can develop after someone becomes sensitised, meaning their immune system has learned to react to an ingredient. Later contact can produce itching and an eczema-like red rash. Perfume can also irritate skin without causing an allergy. If a rash persists or returns, patch testing can help identify the cause.

Some fragrance ingredients can cause a phototoxic reaction, a sunburn-like response when a chemical on the skin is exposed to light. A human study of model perfumes found that bergamot oil containing a light-reactive chemical could cause such a reaction after exposure to ultraviolet A, or UVA. The risk depended on the concentration and UV dose, so this does not apply to every perfume.

Long-term sun exposure is considered a main contributor to poikiloderma of Civatte, which causes reddish-brown, thinned skin with visible small blood vessels on the sides of the neck. A small study of 32 patients suggested fragrance allergy might contribute in some people, but could not show that fragrance caused the condition.

Perfume odour can also affect people with migraine. In one clinic-based study, people with migraine frequently named perfume as an odour they believed had triggered attacks. The study relied on recollections, so cannot provide a population estimate or prove causation. It provides no evidence of thyroid damage.

So, should you avoid spraying your neck?

For most people, current evidence provides no thyroid-related reason to avoid the neck specifically. Cancer Research UK reports no evidence that using perfume causes cancer.

If perfume causes burning or an itchy rash, stop applying it to the skin and seek medical advice if the reaction persists. “Natural” fragrances are not automatically gentler because essential oils can also cause allergic contact dermatitis. A “phthalate-free” label does not by itself establish that a fragrance is safer because phthalates differ and replacement products are not automatically safer.

Further research could clarify the effects of repeated exposure to fragrance mixtures. Current evidence does not show that spraying the neck gives fragrance chemicals special access to the thyroid.

Empty Chairs is a community-led campaign encouraging strangers to gather at pub tables across the UK to help tackle loneliness

A new initiative has launched in Glasgow, inviting people who are feeling isolated and seeking companionship to join others at designated pub tables, with empty seats deliberately “left open” for community members in need of connection.

Empty Chairs is a community-led campaign encouraging people to gather at pub tables across the UK, ensuring nobody has to sit alone.

The global project has recently arrived in Glasgow’s southside, thanks to volunteer host Kirstie Cusick, 52, who has partnered with staff at the Clockwork Pub in Mount Florida to provide a regular gathering for those seeking to connect or simply have a chat.

Kirstie explained: “It’s a blether in the pub with strangers – and sometimes having a blether with strangers can be easier than in a workplace or even with your family.

“It’s just another way of meeting people. I really think that is what it is. Loneliness is at the heart of what we’re trying to combat, and with loneliness comes potential mental health issues. I think we live in a world where there isn’t enough face to face connection.”

Kirstie, who works with mental health charity Penumbra, became involved with Empty Chairs after her husband learnt about it on the radio, Glasgow Live reports.

With a history of volunteering for mental health organisations including the Samaritans, she was seeking a way to support people locally after spending time in Australia with Roses in the Ocean, an organisation dedicated to suicide prevention.

Kirstie explained: “Dean, the founder of Empty Chairs, came up with this concept after losing his best friend Rob to suicide, and started it last December.

“He went into a local pub, put on a bright coloured top, booked a table, and opened himself up to conversations. I just thought it was a wonderful idea.

“Joining them as a volunteer host was a really straight forward process, I registered via the website, then spoke to the owners at the Clockwork about this emerging movement and how it can help people, and they were happy to host.

“The movement is still in its early days, so there was an immediacy about it that I loved. You can just start the group, and anyone can do it.

“It can be daunting, but Empty Chairs have been really helpful, and someone checks in with you before you start and when it finishes. It’s also organic, meaning I can host these events when I can and the timetable fits around me.”

Having now hosted her fourth session, Kirstie says that following a hectic summer filled with major sporting and music events, she’s hoping to run as many Sunday nights as possible.

“I chose that night because a lot of people don’t have things on on a Sunday night, but also I think it’s really important was that whenever I personally felt lonely, Sunday nights were really tough.

“Sometimes I wouldn’t have spoken to anybody all weekend other than maybe my family. I might not have seen anybody, but also Sunday nights can be really tough for people that are working and maybe they’re going back to work and they’re having the Sunday fears.

“We are open to anybody, of all ages that can come to the pub, and I think the thing that we stress is there is no need to buy anything, nobody needs to drink.

“You can just come along and sit with us for as long or as little as they like. Nobody needs to sign up. You don’t need to tell anybody you’re coming, you can just show up.”

For Kirstie, the groups are about peer support, empathy and connection – and she says the response has been overwhelmingly positive, both from the people who have come and from online.

She added: “I’ve done four sessions so far and at every session there has been people there. Even if just one person turns up, that to me is a success.

“Because of my volunteering and my professional experience, I feel that I can bring extra to the table if needed. So, if anybody did want to have a conversation with me about their mental health, I know how to signpost them to other support and resources.

“I want to stress that this isn’t counselling, we’re not crisis support. But I would be able to support someone if you know, if they were having a bad day.”

Kirstie’s upcoming Empty Chairs at the Clockwork between 7pm – 8pm are:

• Sunday August 23
• Sunday August 30
• Sunday September 6

For more information about sessions in Glasgow (Clockwork and Oran Mor), Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Elgin, Falkirk and beyond please visit their website.

If after reading this article you need immediate support, please contact:

• Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123
• Breathing Space (from 6pm) on 0800 83 85 87
• NHS24 (from 6pm) on 111

His hugs, infectious humour, cheeky laugh and the simple words he always shared with his sisters have become memories they now cling to.

Paul died on July 30, aged 52, leaving behind his son, five grandchildren, sisters, wider family, and friends.

His sister, Debbie McDonald, in Westhoughton, said Paul was a “gentle giant with a big heart” who had become especially close to his family during the final 18 months of his life.

Paul Durkin as a child (Image: Debbie McDonald)

She said: “We were just really, really, really close.

“Especially in the past 18 months, we just spent time together every single day.

“Always telling each other that we loved each other, that we were proud of each other.”

Paul, who was born on April 16, 1974, was described as a man who was incredibly proud of his family.

Debbie said he had turned his life around as he grew older and was particularly proud of the changes he had made.

She said: “Turned his life around, changed his life really, especially in the last 18 months.”

Family remained at the heart of Paul’s life, with Debbie recalling how proud he was when she started her own business.

The man died at 52 (Image: Debbie McDonald)

But it is his hugs and laughter that his family will miss the most.

Debbie said: “It was just the hugs, that’s probably one of the biggest things that we’ll miss is hugs and his cheeky laugh.

“He was very mischievous, a 52-year-old man that was full of mischief.”

Paul had previously worked as a scaffolder before becoming disabled.

His family said the exact medical cause of his death is not yet known.

He had severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart and kidney problems, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Away from his family, Paul loved television, YouTube, Netflix, cars, and motorbikes.

Paul was much-loved (Image: Debbie McDonald)

As a teenager, he was also passionate about pigeons and had his own shed for them.

His death has left his only son, in his early thirties, devastated, while his five grandchildren have also lost a much-loved grandad.

Paul was the middle of three siblings, their parents had both died, with the mother 19 years ago and their father from cancer three years ago.

Debbie said Paul would always leave his sisters with the words “love you sis’”.

Now, her message back to her beloved brother is simple.

She said: “Love you bro’.”

Paul’s funeral will take place at Howe Bridge Crematorium on Wednesday, August 26 at 3:30pm.

It can be incredibly frustrating when a parcel goes missing from your doorstep — but there are important steps to take if this happens

Few things are more frustrating than receiving a notification confirming your parcel has been delivered, only to find it has vanished without a trace. Even after checking with neighbours and scouring bins, packages can sometimes simply disappear. A missing parcel is a genuine headache, particularly when the contents are valuable or urgently needed.

To help consumers understand their rights regarding missing deliveries, Citizens Advice has set out exactly where responsibility lies and what steps to take. According to the organisation, several important actions are worth considering.

Citizens Advice states that if you purchased goods from a business for delivery, the responsibility for ensuring those goods reach you lies firmly with the seller.

If the seller enlisted a courier, it is their duty to chase that courier and establish what has happened to your order.

It is also advisable to double-check the delivery address you provided to the retailer or seller before contacting them about your missing order.

Citizens Advice said: “If the seller claims they’ve delivered it or don’t know where it is, you can ask for a redelivery. You might be able to get a refund in some circumstances.”

Should your parcel be lost, damaged, or delayed, you may be entitled to claim compensation from the responsible delivery firm.

They said: “How much money you get depends on how the item was sent and what the problem is.

“You can also complain to the delivery company about their service at any time. You don’t have to make a complaint to be able to claim compensation.”

However, if you have bought something online, it is crucial to contact the seller before raising a complaint with the delivery firm or seeking compensation. This is particularly important if the parcel was left somewhere you did not specify at the time of purchase.

Citizens Advice said: “You’ll usually get a better result. You can ask for a refund or redelivery if the item didn’t arrive, and check your options for returning damaged or broken goods.”

Should you suspect your item has been stolen, you are entitled to claim compensation, lodge a formal complaint and report the theft to the police.

While the parcel may not be recoverable, it is still worth raising in any compensation claim or complaint you make.

Citizens Advice added: “To help avoid more thefts in the future, you might want to get your parcels delivered to a collection point in a local shop or secure locker.

“If you need your parcels delivered directly to your home, you could think about getting a parcel safe, but these can be expensive.”

A local veterinary practice in Bolton is launching a pet healthcare plan that will remove worries about booking veterinary consultations at a time when many families are under financial strain.  

Regan Veterinary Centre, Bury Road | CVS Vets new Healthy Pet Club Advanced includes completely unlimited consultations with veterinary surgeons and nurses, with no exclusions (1). It also includes regular preventative healthcare appointments such as vaccinations, parasite protection and annual health checks to avoid problems developing. 

The plan is being launched to remove the question of whether to book a veterinary consultation for pet owners who notice a change in appetite, unusual behaviour or a minor health concern. 

Lizzie McLennan Green, Veterinary Director of the CVS Vets family which includes Regan Veterinary Centre, Bury Road said: “We know that for many owners, there’s often a moment of hesitation before booking a consultation. That’s completely understandable, but it can sometimes mean pets are seen later than we would recommend. 

“We are making the cost of consultations, vaccinations and preventative healthcare predictable and we’re empowering owners to seek advice whether that’s a minor concern or something more serious.” 

The plan includes regular preventative healthcare appointments such as vaccinations, parasite protection and annual health checks (Image: Nico Russell)

Commissioned by CVS Vets, YouGov’s research found that some pet owners are seeking other options if they delay treatment,  

• 70% have looked up advice about their pets’ symptoms online. A recent study by RSPCA found 10% using AI chatbots for pet care advice. 

• 37% have consulted families and friends for their advice about the symptoms. 

The addition of unlimited consultations offers continuous access to veterinary expertise and encourages earlier conversations about pet health (Image: Nico Russell)

Healthy Pet Club Advanced builds on Regan Veterinary Centre, Bury Road | CVS Vets existing Care Plan, which already helps local pet owners manage routine healthcare through vaccinations, parasite prevention, regular health checks and discounts on treatments, making it easier to manage their pet’s health and spread the cost of care over the year. The addition of unlimited consultations takes this further, offering continuous access to veterinary expertise and encouraging earlier conversations about pet health. 

The monthly cost of the plan is: 

For more information about Healthy Pet Club Advanced, visit https://www.cvsvets.com/healthy-pet-club . Local pet owners can also contact the Healthy Pet Club support team on hpc@cvsvets.com for further information on how the plan can support their pet’s ongoing health and wellbeing

(1) CVS Healthy Pet Club Advanced offers unlimited consultations – including chronic care checkup & injections and with no chronic condition exclusions. Does not include specialist, referral, peripatetic, second opinion, and out-of-hours consultations. Unlimited consultations are subject to a Fair Use Policy which ensures that we can see all Healthy Pet Club Advanced members.

The call comes ahead of the 2026 Middlesbrough Runs, taking place on August 29 and 30, which includes the Middlesbrough 10K, the Ali Brownlee 5K, and the debut of Paula Radcliffe’s Families on Track programme.

The organisers, Events of the North, are working in partnership with Middlesbrough Council and Everyone Active to deliver the festival, which brings together a full weekend of running for all ages.

A volunteer hands out medals at an Events of the North race (Image: Supplied)

Steve Cram, race director for Middlesbrough Runs, said: “As with any major event, we couldn’t stage the Middlesbrough Runs without our brilliant volunteers.

“Bringing together the Middlesbrough 10K, Ali Brownlee 5K and Paula’s Families on Track into one weekend will create a really big occasion and a fantastic atmosphere, but that does mean that we need a little extra help, so we’re asking for more local people and community organisations to get involved.

“We’ll be welcoming some of our regular volunteers from events that we stage elsewhere who love being part of them and want to help in Boro, and it will be great to see them working alongside adults and youngsters from the local community.”

Young volunteers in action (Image: Supplied)

The festival requires a large team of volunteers to support the core team, particularly for marshal points and radio marshal roles around the course on Sunday, August 30.

Volunteers will also help at the finish line, handing out medals to race finishers.

Helen Sherratt, a long-time volunteer with Events of the North, said: “I first volunteered when I saw an advert asking for helpers for the inaugural Worcester City Runs, and as someone who is passionate about the city, I wanted to be part of putting on a great event here.

Some of Events of the North’s hi viz heroes (Image: Supplied)

“The next year, I went back for more, and that was just the start.

“I soon started volunteering at other Events of the North races around the country and I have had many roles over the years, ranging from organising the parking to handing out medals.”

Ms Sherratt’s volunteering experience has opened doors to opportunities at national and international sporting events.

She said: “Events of the North suggested that I could also get involved in other major events, such as national and international championships.

Helen Sherratt has volunteered at multiple events around the country (Image: Supplied)

“After applying to UK Athletics, I found myself in even more roles at British and global events, indoors and outdoors, and I’ve most recently been working on the medal ceremonies at the European Athletics Championships, which has been really interesting and exciting.”

She encourages others to consider volunteering, saying it offers far more than it asks.

Ms Sherratt said: “I always say that I get so much more out of volunteering than I give.

“As well as being lucky to work on all these events, it has given me the opportunity to do something completely different from my day job, along with the chance to have new experiences and meet many lovely people, a large number who are now close friends.”

Volunteering at the Middlesbrough Runs comes with additional perks.

All volunteers will receive snacks and refreshments on the day, and as a thank you, each will be given complimentary entry to one Events of the North running event over the next 12 months.

This includes events in Kielder, Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Worcester, and the following year’s Middlesbrough Runs.

Alternatively, volunteers can opt for a 50 per cent discount on multi-sport events such as the Northumbrian Triathlon or Kielder Duathlon.

Events of the North also operates a scheme for youth organisations, charities, and community groups, offering a donation in place of complimentary entries for teams of more than six or 10 volunteers.

Many individuals who began volunteering at these events have gone on to support other major sporting occasions, including the Commonwealth Games and European Athletics Championships.

Those interested in volunteering at the 2026 Middlesbrough Runs can email volunteers@eventsofthenorth.com.

More information and race entry details are available at Middlesbrough Runs – Events of the North.

Social media videos claimed to show the five teenagers killed in the M9 crash in the hours before the fatal wrong-way collision that left them all dead.

Numerous social media profiles have shared clips allegedly depicting the five teenagers who died in the M9 collision during the hours before the fatal incident.

The five teenagers died after travelling in the wrong direction on the M9 in a high-performance BMW, crashing into a family heading to Dublin Airport during the early morning of Sunday.

Jeremy O’Brien, 18, from Carlow; Alex McCarthy, 17, from Carlow; Joey Carthy, 15, from Athy, Kildare; Jack Kennedy, 17, also from Athy; and Kamil Pustkowski, 17, from Limerick were all confirmed deceased at the collision site.

Footage has now emerged, purportedly capturing the victims in their final moments before the tragedy, and has spread extensively on social media platforms, reports the Irish Mirror.

One clip, distributed online, bears the message: “Ur last spin boys. To hear your voices in this boys has me in a pain that can’t be described.”

The clip, seemingly recorded from within a vehicle, displays a patrol vehicle following with emergency lights flashing.

Another clip, shot from inside a BMW travelling along a major route, shows the camera moving towards the passenger seat, revealing a male wearing a black balaclava.

The clip includes the messages: “I love ya brother” and “Gonna be missed boys.”

The legitimacy and precise timing of these individual clips remains unconfirmed independently, and it remains uncertain whether all the material concerns the five teenagers who died.

The footage has been extensively shared across social media platforms in the wake of the fatal collision, with certain accounts alleging the videos depict the young men inside the BMW prior to the crash.

Meanwhile, gardai are continuing their probe into the circumstances surrounding the collision, while Fiosru, the Garda Siochana Ombudsman, is also scrutinising Garda contact with the BMW ahead of the incident.

The spread of the videos online is expected to bolster efforts to piece together the vehicle’s movements and those of its occupants in the lead-up to the fatal crash.

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